Monday, September 18, 2006
A Grafting Touch up
I finished up my second sleeve this weekend (no pictures--just a ad boring ole sleeve) and was ready to start the button bands when I looked at the back yoke. I finished this oh so long ago, and must have misread the pattern. I had the stitch facing the inside--it is to be out. SO, I could either rip and re knit or try something new -- graft. Since I have only grafted sock toes, grafting it was. Here I am just starting to pull out the yarn and settle the two sides on skinny needles.
Pre-Grafting
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
Voila. Two pieces. A flip around to face things the right way. Add another two rows to even things up:
Two Pieces
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
I used Nancie Wiseman's The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques to figure out where exactly my needle needed to move in and out of the loops. Once I figured out the technique and remembered to tighten things a bit on each loop, it went pretty smoothly. The I only issue was that the yarn that I used to graft the two pieces together wore more quickly than the surrounding yarn. In other words, this yarn is dyed so that the blue dye rubs off over time. This one piece had a bit more wear, so it appears lighter.
Post Grafting
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
I think that when this is washed that color shift should disappear, as the yarn will wear like blue jeans and appear much more even. My stitches aren't perfect, but the inconsistencies are hidden by the ridge. A good technique to try--and if it works on cotton, it should be great on wool. I'm off to work on button bands!
Close up post grafting
Originally uploaded by amyeetx.
