Tag Archive: ask the hive mind

Ask the [Knitting] Hive Mind: What neck-thing would you knit with this skein?

ask the hive mind

TL;DR:

I have one (1) skein of Handmaiden Camelspin (70% silk, 30% camel), and would like to knit a neck-centric accessory with it and is soliciting suggestions.

 

So, I have this skein of yarn.

A single hank of Handmaiden Camelspin in Ecru, twisted for sale. Photo © Handmaiden Fine Yarns.Several years ago, I bought a skein of yarn at a shop in Worcester, Massachusetts.1 It’s made by Handmaiden Fine Yarns, the makers of one of my favorite yarns ever: Sea Silk (70% silk, 30% sea cell). As mentioned above, the yarn in question is Camelspin (70% silk, 30% camel). A dozen years or so ago, everyone was declaring that camel was going to be the Next Big Thing™ in the fiber world. To the best of my knowledge, that never really materialized.2 I remember finding some baby camel at a yarn shop in Delaware about a decade ago, and then have no recollection of seeing any more of it until I encountered a couple dozen skeins in Worcester. (more…)

Ask the [Knitting] Hive Mind: Favored edging for blankets?

[covert-ops] question mark (forest)TL; DR: I have knit the front of (what will be) a double-sided baby blanket. Please feel free to share your favorite blanket edgings with me!

Operational Parameters (or: Some Restrictions Apply)

I’m open to pretty much anything, but there are things that will definitely make me more or less inclined to jump with joy at your suggestion.

  • At least a marginal level of interesting. The blanket’s original pattern provides an edge pattern. It is boring. Thus my search for a new edging. 1
  • This is for a baby blanket. For some inexplicable reason, designers of baby blankets include a lot of lace or loops or the like. To me, that just screams “place to grab and hold onto a baby finger or toe.” 2

Blanket Mechanics

  • Yarn: The blanket is knit using eight colors of Cascade Superwash Sport.
  • Gauge: About 6 stitches per inch on US 7 needles. 3
  • Construction Details: As mentioned, I have just completed the front side of the blanket.
    • It is 164 stitches wide, and 397 rows tall.
    • I used a provisional cast on.
    • I have put the live stitches from the front onto waste yarn. This leaves both ends of the front and the back exposed in a manner ready to accept any matter of mayhem. 4
    • Essentially, I will have two pieces of 164 stitch x 397 row stockinette. The goal is to end up with a single fabric comprised of those two pieces joined together with wrong sides facing one another.