This year SAFF and Rhinebeck were again scheduled for the same weekend. I understand that beginning next year, SAFF is on the fourth weekend for a decade. That means 10 years of Rhinebeck weekend followed by SAFF weekend. The world is slowly moving back into alignment.
 |
| Dragon side |
In anticipation of SAFF, I worked diligently and monogamously on Dragons' Lore. This is the two-faced double-knit scarf designed by Rik Schell of Purl's Yarn Emporium. I purchased the scarf kit in January when I was nearby at Kanuga. I'd had nearly annual conversations with Rik at SAFF. I knew he had developed an alternative way of working two-faced double-knits. I decided for my week of reversible knitting techniques at John C. Campbell Folk School, I should find out more about Rik's technique. Buying the kit and knitting the scarf was a good way to learn it.
First, Rik's technique is clever and excellent. I discuss it in my class on double-faced double-knitting, which I usually teach under the name "Practical Double-Knitting" or "Legible Double-Knitting," since the technique can make names and words readable from both sides in double-knitting. I don't teach that class often, since it is an advanced double-knitting class — i.e. previous experience with double-knitting is a prerequisite. If you see it on my schedule, be sure to sign up. If you don't want to wait, buy one of Rik's kits.
 |
| Lore side |
Beware of Dragons' Lore. This is one of the most technically challenging knits I have ever completed. There are sections with three colors. While I tried multiple ways of holding three colors, I did not arrive at a solution. Because of the three colors, the gauge of the scarf shifts a bit. I noticed this in my scarf as well as Rik's sample. There are sections where you need to carry one or two colors a long way. It is tricky to get the tension correct. The scarf blocked out some, but the yarn is both cotton and wool. I gave it a good soak. Sadly, the red bled, probably because the scarf refused to dry out. After letting it sit a whole day in the bathroom, I ended up cooking it in a hot dryer without tumbling. It took three hours to get almost dry.
Another thing I discovered is I very much had yarn dominance. Like the tension
challenge or the three-yarn challenge, no matter what I tried or how carefully
or slowly I worked, I couldn't shake it. If you attempt this project, keep all
your yarns in the same order the whole time.
My completed project would not pass the bar for Master Knitter. However, I am
not sorry I made it. I am looking forward to wearing it at a fiber festival
where other knitters will wonder, "How did you do that?"
Comments