Here I go again on my own

In my last post I showed you my finished, tiny, misshapen fair-isle tam. What went wrong?

1: Gauge. Oh for the love of gauge! Sometimes I feel that gauge is like Pokeroo: I always just miss it. I’ve recently come to learn that despite thinking I was a pretty dead-on-tension knitter, I’m actually a little on the loose side. I’m a loose woman! So if I’m a loose knitter, woudn’t my tam have turned out too big? Let’s take a look at number two…
2: Needle size. To compensate for my loosey-goosey tension, I’ve started getting into the habit of automatically going down a needle size when beginning a project. The tam pattern suggests 4.5 mm needles. I knit mine on 4 mm needles.
3: Fair Isle tension. It turns out, that stranded knitting effects your tension. In general, your tension is tighter when knitting fair isle. I did not know this.

1 + 2 + 3 = Blargh!

Despite blocking the be-jeezus out of my tam, my tiny tension just couldn’t be helped. This hat will now live on ‘Miss Thang’, my snooty wig-stand. She’s got a tiny head and a big attitude: it works on her.

I really stepped out of my comfort zone when choosing the colours for this tam, and it turns out, I’m uncomfortable! While I really like the colour combination, I think placement is everything. I put pale blue beside pink. What was I thinking? You know what happens when you put pale blue beside pink? You get baby knitting!

Okay, the hat’s not really that ‘baby’, but there’s something decidedly “Gap Kids” about it that really irks me. (Not that there’s anything wrong with Gap Kids, but I wouldn’ buy myself a hat there, you know?)

But hey – it’s not all bad news! I really liked knitting this pattern so I’m going to give it another go. This time I’m going to watch my tension, rearrange my colours and (hopefully) end up with a tam that fits my head. Wish me luck!

-juliaknits

Send us your Tam (photo)!

The Patons bloggers are showing off their lovely Fair-Isle Tams, and now we want to see yours!

Send your finished or in-progress tam photos to knitalong@patonsyarns.com! Keep in mind that only images without faces can be posted due to legal issues. We’d also love to see images of your inspirations!

Can’t wait to see what you’ve done!

-PatonsAdmin

Note: there were some issues with the knitalong email address. Try again and it should be working now.

Fair Isle Tam – Done

My first attempt at fair isle was more successful than I thought it would be.  I envisioned a tangled mess of yarn with holes everywhere, but it actually turned out pretty nice, and I’m looking forward to wearing it.

This hat is perfect for fall days when you need something to guard against the chill.  Too bad it’s going to be 70 degrees today (why are you so weird, Virginia weather?)

I really enjoyed this pattern.  The charts and instructions were fairly easy to follow and the hat knits up very quickly.  I used circular needles until it got too small for them near the center and I had to switch to double pointed needles.  The Patons Classic Wool was great to work with.   It gives great stitch definition so the pattern really stands out.  You could easily make two (or more?) hats out of the five skeins of yarn called for, which would be a good chance to play around with the order of the colors and come up with something that’s the same, yet different.

I’ve loved seeing what this hat looks like in all the different colors that have been chosen, and I’m looking forward to seeing more!

-AndreaK2tog

FO: Fair Isle Tam

Just in time for crisp, cool air, my Fair Isle Tam is ready to wear!  Hehe, that rhymes!  The Fair Isle Tam was a lot of fun to make.  From picking out the colors to working the pattern, this project was very addicting. Since I am so used to doing fair isle with fingering weight yarn, using Patons Classic Wool in worsted weight made this tam fly off my needles.  I must come clean about something.  Prior to being shown this pattern, I had NO idea what a tam was.  I actually had to Google ‘tam’. This was also my very first Knit-Along as well!

I made my tam exactly as the pattern states.  In the beginning, I had a little trouble with the center decreases, but nothing that I could not figure out.  I used a medium size dinner plate during blocking to help shape the tam.  The only thing I would have done differently, would have been to use a tighter rib stitch.  Recently, I discovered the twisted rib stitch (you knit through the back loop on the knit stitches).  This technique creates a very nice, tight, rib.

Don’t forget to email photos of your tam to knitalong@patonsyarns.com or join the Flickr Group to share your finished tam!

Coming soon… Cables and Lace Hoodie (Patons Pure Organic Cotton) update!

-BrennaLePurl

FO – Fair Isle Tam

Golly tam-o-rama! I have a finished object but I also actually finished a KAL! Wonders never cease.

(Incidentally, I am aware that my “star points” don’t look like others’ tams, but I don’t care. I don’t always have to be a perfectionist.)

Recap (“cap” tam…get it?): Pattern is Fair Isle Tam (free online download). I used That’s Blue, Navy, Wisteria, Lemongrass, and Burnt Orange all Patons Classic wool (yummy yarn!)

I love items that look harder than what they actually are. Makes me feel like I have a secret, even though I always tell those non-knitters who gush in awe that, “it was easy!” (They’re response is almost always…”really?) I still like my work to look like it took forever. This tam was quick, quick, quick. The color changes and charts were easy to read. However, I was challenged by some of the language used during the decreasing.

When challenged with knitting I try to think of things that might make my the job a little easier. Do you ever put stitch markers between repeats? Whether it be in color work, lace, or cables? They make my knitting experience much more pleasant. Plus, if I have to drop my knitting at a moments notice (like maybe when one of the twins dumps an entire pitcher of grape juice on the kitchen floor – purely hypothetical of course). This small step of adding stitch markers between each repeat makes life a little easier for me.

Another thing I do, when presented with a knitting challenge, is get online and do some searching. I didn’t quite know what a “centered decrease” meant. So I found a video that made sense to me. The only other thing that challenged me with this pattern was the statement to move the stitch marker back one stitch. I did that fine with my “main” (the marker indicating the beginning of the round), but didn’t realize the statement applies to moving all of the stitch markers (those that I put in between each repeat). Thanks BrennaLePurl for that tip!

Once I figured that out, those last few rounds flew and the tam-o-rama was done. Go get one for yourself (and make one for a friend or for charity because it sure works up quickly)!

(That is a dinner plate my tam is blocking on)

– knittinjen

Fair Isle Cage Match

I’m proud of my skills. I feel that I’m a bold and badass knitter who is not afraid of anything. Entrelac’s my best bud. Cables? Pfft. Deliberately dropped stitches? Bring it on! Intricate lace? Heck yeah!

I told myself for years that I didn’t like the look of colorwork. I denied any beauty in combining colors to make designs. You want multiple colors? Use a variegated yarn! Years and years of denial finally beat me down, and I have to face the music.

I’m afraid of fair isle.

The reasons for my fear are probably obvious – it looks freaking hard! This project forced me to face the music and try the very last item on my knitting to-do list.

Despite my initial fears, I’m also very excited about this project. The tam is beautiful, the pattern is inspiring, and my colors are the bomb.

I did some research on the web, and learned that pulling your floats too tight is a common beginner mistake with fair isle. Focusing on each stitch, I started stranding. And I kept stranding!

It all seems to be going well. In fact, I’m a little addicted. I may have a couple of other fair isle projects lined up after this one.

Thank you, Patons Blog, for helping me try something new. Shame on you, Patons Blog, for giving me a new obsession.

-jencraft

I get around

I took a little trip to NYC recently and my Fair Isle tam came along for the ride. Some folks are apprehensive to knit in public. Me? I’ll knit just about anywhere.

I knit on the plane:

I knit at brunch:

(I find New york brunch specials often include mimosas – god love ‘em!)

I knit at the Old Town Bar (where Frank McCourt wet his whistle):

I knit at Katz’s deli (Where Harry met Sally):

And you know what? People smile at you when you knit in public. Whoever said New Yorkers are mean must not have been a knitter.

-juliaknits

Fair Isle floats

I’ve done a fair amount of Fair Isle (pun intended), but by no means am I an expert. It used to bother me that my yarns always got tangled and I have been unsuccessful holding a strand in each hand. My tension is always wonky when I try. Now I have a notion and got the right motion and am feeling the Fair Isle love.

Seriously, look at these floats.

I like seeing the inside of hand knit items. I am one of those people who turn things inside out to check if it really is handmade. I also happen to like seeing colors changed on the right side now and again so the little blips show up. I think it’s charming. I could safely say that I like the inside nearly as much as the outside.

The colors I chose for this tam are bright and cheerful. It amazes me how the look of a color changes when placed next to other colors. The Lemongrass I’m using looks much more yellow next to That’s Blue. Nevertheless, I still like the way it’s coming together.

Yarn:  Patons Classic wool
My Chosen Five:  That’s Blue, Wisteria, Navy, Lemongrass, Burnt Orange
Pattern:  Fair Isle Tam (FREE download!)

–knittinjen

Let’s get organized!

There is no right or wrong way to achieve ultimate organization, but there are couple of tips to consider. Who wants to deal with tangled yarn?  Whenever I sit down to knit color work, I know that I will be sitting for a little while.  Everything I may need (glass of wine water, phone, TV remote control, etc…) should be within arms reach.

OK, so here is how I stay organized.  I like to sit on my couch as there is plenty of room to spread  out my yarn (and other necessities).  I keep whatever yarn that floats on top, on my right and the bottom floater on my left.  AndreaK2tog talked about her style of dropping whatever yarn not in use, but I like to hold that yarn with my left hand forefinger.  This is only a resting place as I still use my right hand to pick up that yarn to knit with. Holding with my finger just helps me keep the yarn separate.

As for switching out colors, I try very hard to never actually break/cut the yarn.  I think I have said this numerous times, but I loathe seaming and this also includes, weaving in ends.  If I am forced to cut (which sometimes you just have to), I use the ole spit n’splice method.  In order to carry up colors from row to row, I twist the yarn (not too loose, but not tight either) at the beginning of the round.  This also helps eliminate little holes that may be created from switching colors.

It’s very interesting to read about other peoples technique.  My favorite pediatrician ever once gave me the best advice:  “You do what works best for you and your family.”  This advice applies to so many other facets of life, including your knitting style.

Don’t forget to email photos of your tam to knitalong@patonsyarns.com or join the Flickr Group to share your progress!

-BrennaLePurl

Fair Isle Tam Tips and Tutorial

Hey everybody! I’m jumping in here to give y’all some help with your the Fair Isle Tam pattern. Firstly, I have to start with a big “Do as I say, not as I do”. You’re going to find out in my next couple of posts that I like to learn my lessons the hard way! I’m no expert, but I can certainly get you to learn from my mistakes. Secondly, the pattern works as written, but definitely has a couple of tricky spots! Don’t forget this pattern is labeled as “intermediate”!

THAT WACKY DECREASE ROUND

Judging by the comments, a lot of you are finding the decrease rounds at the crown a little confusing. It may take a little extra concentration to wrap your head around this one, but it’s well worth the effort. Look at those awesome lines of decreased stitches on the finished hat! Let’s take a look at the decrease, step by step.

Here’s what my tam looks like when I’ve just finished round 6 of Chart II:

(Actually, in real life my knitting isn’t blurry – but you get the idea.)
The next round, round 7 is the first decrease round. Here’s where you have to start paying attention:

“To begin shaping, slip rnd marker back 1 st at end of last rnd”
The first stitch of each decrease round is the last stitch of the previous round. Woah! I know, tricky, right? The start of the round moves back a stitch to accommodate the two-stitch decrease you’re about to do. You don’t have to totally understand why, but trust me, you need adjust where you start on these rounds or your pattern won’t line up right! So to be clear, don’t knit the last stitch of round 6, and instead, count is as the first stitch of round 7. Did you already knit it? Yeah, me too. Just undo the stitch and put it back on your left needle.

Okay, so now that I’ve slipped back that last stitch to become stitch one of my decrease round, it’s time to do that funky decrease.

“Center dec(worked over 3 sts) = slip next 2 sts as if to K2tog,…

…K1…

…then pass slipped sts over knit st…

… – center of 3 sts should be on top of decrease. (2 sts have been decreased.)”

Before I began, I had 1 blue st, 1 yellow, 1 blue. The center stitch, old gold, is now on top – just like the pattern says – yay! If we look at my chart, you can see the first stitch of round 7 is yellow – that’s the stitch I have left on the needle after the 2 st decrease.

General Tips:

- When knitting in the round (like we are here) remember to read every line of the chart from right to left.
- I didn’t bother using a marker the beginning of my round ‘cuz it’s pretty easy to tell when knitting in the round on dpns; the tail from your cast on is always between two needles. All the guts from starting and ending new yarn colours will be hanging out here too.
- You don’t always need to cut your yarn at the end of colour rows. If you see the colour you just finished using will be used again a couple of rows later, just carry it up there when you need it again. Life is too short for unnecessary end-weaving!
- Reading is good for you! The great thing about colour work is that it’s really easy to read your knitting. If you see on the chart that (for example) one red stitch should be on top of three blue stitches and your row doesn’t look like that – time to take a step back and check for mistakes!
- Blocking works miracles: Stitches a little uneven? Pulled a couple of floats too tight and other too loose? Beret look more like a dreidel? Block it! Follow the instructions at the end of the pattern under “finishing”. 100% wool is particularly agreeable with blocking and will totally be the icing (butter cream) on your (chocolate) cake.

I hope that helps! Good luck fair-isle-ers and happy knitting!

-Juliaknits

p.s. I’ll thank you not to notice my “interpretation” of Chart I. Attempting to knit, talk and eat lunch all at the same time can lead to wayward stitches!