Sandy's Knitting

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01.28.2004 :: 3 color knitting or how to wipe that smug look off my face!

I was smugly knitting along on the Lopi Brigette sweater (which, by the way, in my opiniated opinion, is Nothing like an Sos Pad! ), thinking, "Damn, I'm good at two color knitting!" Yup. Conceited and all. You know that just because I had that single thought, the universe tips on its side, making sure that I eat my words! So, I contentedly knit along. Then I reach the row. The fated row that changes my thoughts on myself! This row has 3 colors. Okay, I think, I'm so good at two, what's one more??? I relish the thought. I begin and it doesn't take long to hear the POP. Yes, that's my bubble breaking. All of a sudden I have a huge pile of knots in my lap. What used to be 2 well organized balls of yarn are now 3 heaping piles of strings. So, the rest of the evening went something like this.....

Knit 1 1/2 stitches. Spend 10 minutes untangling 3 balls of yarn. Knit 3 more stitches. Untangle, 20 minutes.

Yes, yes, I exaggerate. But that's what it felt like. OY! I am done 7 rows and dang if it doesn't look pretty good. Should a person actually sweat while knitting? It's not right? Any advice for the formerly smug newbie at knitting 3 colors in the same row? Please? Just make some up if you don't have legitimate advice!!

And I leave you with this. Just because...

Posted by Sandy on 01.28.2004 AT 09:05 AM

Comments

You just gotta rub that snow in my face don't you! And I didn't make the mess.

Posted by: Chris on 01.28.2004 AT 09:05 AM

I'm working on a Lopi sweater right now that has lots of 3-colour sections. I've been finding that if I consistently take one colour from underneath the others, the second colour from over the first but under the third, and the third colour over top of the others, I don't get much tangling. That might not be clear, but it's like two-colour knitting with one colour carried on top and the other underneath, except that there's a third colour that stays on the middle plane.
Oh dear, it's all so clear in my head, but I can't make it make sense in print. Sorry! Maybe you'll be able to figure out what I mean anyway... Good luck!Aven

Posted by: A visitor on 01.28.2004 AT 04:08 AM

i say use all white yarn then get some felt pens and colour it in after!!! ROTFL

good news I finished the scarf *proud* now to post a pic hmmmmmmVisit me @ http://karen.blog.city.com

Posted by: Karen on 01.28.2004 AT 03:56 AM

you could put each ball in a small ziplock bag--that sort of acts like a bobbin and you get to keep the whole ball together instead of winding of little amounts. It's not a perfect solution but it helps a little.Leigh [leigh@woolflowers.net]

Posted by: A visitor on 01.28.2004 AT 03:44 AM

Um, cut one out?

Posted by: Chris on 01.28.2004 AT 02:39 AM

I have one word for >2 colors - bobbins. Whenever I do a three color row, I wind one bobbin, leave one color alone, and with the third I use a trick I read from one of you out there - take a DP needle, unwind some to use and weave the needle from ball, over loose end, back into ball, to hold yarn in place. Then when the two tangle you can pick them up and spin out the tangle. I could elaborate if you want on email. Hang it there - on Bridgette I think there are only a couple three color rows! mbMary Beth [irwinmb@sbcglobal.net]

Posted by: A visitor on 01.28.2004 AT 02:15 AM

You know...that's how I was before having my third child. Raising two got to be pretty routine & easy, and we thought "heck...what's one more?" Insanity, that's what one more is! The best possible insanity, however. :)

Hoping that someone has some great tips for you--that I can learn from too! Have a great Wednesday!Kim [gibknits@earthlink.net]

Posted by: A visitor on 01.28.2004 AT 01:27 AM