It is always an intentional effort to force myself out of my comfort zone. There is nothing I love more than an easy, stockinette-in-the-round project that can calm me into a meditative state. That’s my happy place. But, it isn’t where growth happens. So, every once in a while, I take on a new challenge.
Recently, I conquered socks, which, as it turns out, ends up with a lot of easygoing knitting. There are so many project types that inspire me, so I knew another challenge was in order.
After watching the Knit & Tell podcast with Sari Nordlund & Kutovakika, I knew that I would eventually choose to challenge myself with one of Sari’s many intricate designs. I find her style to be very classic, romantic, and ultimately, timeless. Even though many of her pieces do not match my tropical locale, they inspire me and are the types of knits that I truly love.
I had not chosen the exact pattern, until I visited the Hook & Needle Yarn Shop in East Tennessee. They had a beautifully-executed sample of Sari’s poet scarf, made with Rowan Summerlite DK. It just so happened that this cotton yarn was on sale and felt like an appropriate fiber choice for a lightweight version that I could actually wear in Florida. I was sold and purchased the needed amount for two poet scarfs, in hopes that I would make one for myself (in the color Giggle) and one as a gift (in Lavendar).
If you’ve read my recent posts, you’ll know that I found the number of charts intimidating. I am glad that I overcame my initial reluctance because I learned a ton and I LOVE the final outcome!
Challenges & Lessons
- My needle choice, the Lykke 3.5″ Cypra, have a fairly blunt tip. It would have been wiser to use a needle with a sharper point for some of the techniques (i.e., M1LP), like my Knit Picks Lace Option Reflections needles.
- My memory of M1R, M1L is terrible, no matter how many times I do it. I wrote down the directions for all of the versions of these make one stitches on the pattern’s abbreviations page to help me keep things straight. Luckily, when you are into the main charts, you only need to remember M1L.
- This project required my mental focus. In fact, I felt like I was doing mental aerobics with each right/wrong side row. This was partly due to the same symbol (like a solid dot) indicating a different stitch depending on if you are on the right or wrong side. The previous row’s use of the symbol would occasionally infiltrate the next row, but the error was easy to spot, so I just took it slow and corrected when needed.
- Speaking of right/wrong side, the chart is meant to be read right-to-left on the right side and left-to-right on the wrong side. I have known this from other projects with charts, but it is worth noting since it was another aspect of the mental aerobics that this project required. I was constantly checking myself on what the symbols meant for that row and what direction I should be going.
- I didn’t know every stitch when I got started. Like, the M1LP or the SSP. Thankfully, VeryPinkKnits had me covered with some easy-to-follow YouTube tutorials!
- On the 3rd chart, the pattern absorbs one of the edge stitches. I was fearful that I misunderstood the directions. So, I took a look at the comments on the pattern’s Ravelry page in an attempt to find some confirmation. Thankfully, others had also noted this change, so I continued on. Interestingly, it made no difference in how the i-cord edging looked.
My Advice
For anyone else who is considering this pattern to get out of their comfort zone, you can totally do it!
Find what works for you to stay on track with the chart. I used elastic bands with my twice sheared sheep planner/easel to isolate a single row at a time. I could always peek at the row below, if needed, but my eyes could easily focus without the clutter of the other rows showing.
Don’t forget that you change direction when reading the chart. When you are repeating segments, they also happen in that direction, so be sure to complete the number of repeats before finishing the row when you are on the wrong side (going left-to-right).
Finally, don’t be afraid to learn on the fly. The great thing about knitting is that you can always pause to look up helpful tutorials for the next technique. You can literally take it one stitch at a time, so don’t get overwhelmed like I (almost) did. You got this!
Project Details
Pattern: Sari’s poet scarf
Yarn: Rowan Summerlite DK in Giggle
Needles: Lykke 3.5″ Cypra, US 4
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