Magenta + Jitterbug = Majitterbug

For more Fiery Project Spectrum stashbusting deliciousness, I am making Megan's Ruffled Neck Warmer from the book 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders. I really like this book. It has lots of cute small projects, especially some great ways to use up sock yarn.



The yarn is Colinette Jitterbug, in the Magenta colorway, held doubled. I really love this yarn, but I have had a problem with it in the past. I've made 3 pairs of socks with this yarn already, and in every skein there was a knot. Usually I understand knots and I am OK with them, but in the case of Jitterbug, the knot held together 2 different dyelots! The result in all 3 pairs of socks was that 1 sock looked great, and the other sock was half light and half dark.

I figured I would combat this problem by holding the yarn doubled in a project where something like dyelot shifts wouldn't really matter. OF COURSE, this is the first time that there is no knot in the yarn, and I could have made this yarn into some great socks. Oh well. I have 2 more skeins of Jitterbug (Copperbeach and Velvet Damson) so I'll make those into socks. Or gloves. Or another ruffled scarf.



The pattern itself is great. The only annoying part is all the increasing for the ruffle. It's not the pattern's fault, of course. You have to turn 25 stitches into 200 stitches very quickly over 6 rows, and the first 10 rows after all the increases are very hard on the hands. It was difficult to finagle the needles, even though I was using long 24" addi circular needles. Otherwise the project is super fun and relaxing. I'll make another one for sure.

I'm so mad that I didn't go to the yarn stores I had planned in the last post, including Modern Yarn in Montclaire. My knee was just hurting too much after physical therapy and I didn't have the strength that day. I might still go tomorrow.

My modified Rusted Root is going great. I'm up to the bust and I'm going to add short row shaping, which means I have to stop being so lazy and try it on again. I'll post once I do, and maybe I'll even add instructions for adding shaping.

posted by illanna at 1:36 PM