Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Polar Bear Stocking

I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't get even one Christmas stocking finished before the big day. But I did.
I didn't get one done for Lexi though, but I'm thinking I'll start that soon so she'll have it next year.
This pattern came from Annie's Woolens on Ravelry.com. She has several different patterns, so Lexi may get a different one.

I learned so many things about colorwork knitting this. I had read somewhere that when you "carry" colors that you can pick them up around every 3 or 4 stitches. The first third of the stocking I did that way, and the inside was a mess. The rest of the stocking, I carried the 2nd color every other stitch and it looked great inside. I'm thinking that had I done that all the way, I wouldn't have had to line it.

Also, the name and the heart on the polar bear is done in duplicate stitch, handstitching over the original stitch. The pattern has you make the heart in green, then stitch over it in red. Totally unnecessary, in my humble opinion. I'll just make it red next time. OH! Did I say next time???

8 comments:

  1. OH MAN!! You amaze me with this, my friend. It's strange how I can sit still with patience for some things, but others would make me crazy....this would be a crazy. It's wonderful!!!

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  2. Oh my gosh!!! It is wonderful!! I am in awe!!!

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  3. Ha! Thanks, you guys. If this had not been for my grandson, I may have tossed it aside. However, I have to admit that I was amazed at what happened as I went along! :)

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  4. Awesome result Lisa. I understood almost all the words in your explanation. The order they were in though was a bit puzzling though: carrying colours?

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  5. Thanks, GB. When knitting with two colors, instead of cutting the second color of yarn everytime you switch colors, you can bring the second color along the back, wrapping it over the main color yarn so that it floats along the backside until you need it. Ha! That probably made no sense at all, but it's a pretty cool thing once you get the hang of it. If you're interested, google carrying colors in knitting. :)

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  6. This is so, so great! It's way too close to Christmas for me to be making any stockings this year, but you've inspired me to try it for next year. =)

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  7. I'm so impressed!!! What a beautiful stocking ~ it will be cherished always :)

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  8. Wow! its so awesome! you are truly talented.
    Colorwork is so intimidating to me.

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