THE DAILY CHUM

No new block this week. I wanted to take the time to put all the blocks together and revisit the project as whole. Plus, we finally have sun and I’m taking my yarn outside to enjoy it!

I spread all the blocks out and rearranged them until I was satisfied with the look. Then I pinned out all the blocks in my chosen arrangement before taking pictures and measurements. I’m not sure I’ll stick with this exact placement in the finished blanket, but it’s a good starting point, and I got a lot of information to help me plan the rest of the project.

The first thing that became apparent was, I have a lot more knitting to do. Eight blocks seemed like a good amount of progress, but pinned out the dimensions are approximately 27×27 at the largest points. I want a generous sized blanket of 50 x60, which means I’m not quite a quarter of the way there. On the plus side think of all the stitches I’ll have a chance to try.

Pinning it out and taking pictures gave me a lot of other information as well. I took measurements of the gaps that need to be filled in (bottom middle is 4w x 3 1/2h, middle left is 7w x 5h, and middle top is 6 1/2w x 2h), so I can make blocks to fit. The pictures also give me a reference for future color and stitch choices.

My original plan was to make squares and then fill in any gaps with garter stitch squares all in one color.  I like the way it’s looking with only the cable blocks so I think I’ll try making blocks to fit and using all the colors (the two cakes in the picture are yarns chosen for the blanket but not used yet).  I have not washed and blocked my square yet, and I won’t until I’m ready to do the final layout. A lot of the stitches have a fair amount of stretch, which I can use to ensure all the blocks fit together.

If you are knitting along, or doing a similar project, try pinning your piece to a large beach towel (that’s what I used) or blanket. After you’re done you can just roll the whole thing up and store it. No pinning and re-pinning every time you want to add a new block or double check a measurement.

Next week we’ll go back to more stitches.

I’m off to bust out my shorts, clean of the grill and get a sunburn. Have a great weekend!

Sam lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, two Basenjis and a houseful of yarn. She is known to all the soccer moms in the area as the “weird knitting lady” and has been spotted knitting at the bus stop, soccer, gymnastics, restaurants and while waiting in line. You can read more about her knitting and crafting adventures on her blog, and reach her at sam@limenviolet.com.

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