Basket Case
This picture is really just an excuse to show off one of the beautiful new Longaberger baskets that I acquired with Julie's help. This lovely round basket is the "Darning Basket". It is unlikely that I will ever do any darning in my life, but it sure makes a nifty project basket for the Kaleidoscope vest.
I started the vest with a tubular cast on. I'm always kind of mystified and amazed by this cast-on -- it's like some wonderful knitting slight of hand that anyone can do with a little patience -- and it creates the most beautiful stretchy edge for K1 P1 ribbing. When you combine it with a wonderful DK weight wool yarn like the Jo Sharp wool that I am using, it makes the perfect start to what I hope will be a beautiful garment. I want my dad to have something truly wonderful to add to his cool weather wardrobe. And that means pulling out all the stops to make sure that the detals really are thought through -- using the tubular cast on, adding selvedge stitches at the edges to make seaming easier and more neat when I mattress stitch the edges together.
And I'm a bit embarrased to admit this, but I love the idea of a project that doesn't involve sleeves! I get all the joy of working on something colorful and happy, but none of the pain of having to deal with sleeves. And I really do think the pattern is lovely (and very easy to work -- it looks like two-color work, but every row is really just one color). I'm looking forward to getting the next couple of intervals on there so that I can give everyone a really good look.
I love the colors you're using and can't wait to see a picture when you're further along. I'm amazed that this is just one color per row. It really looks like you're doing two or more colors per row.
Can't wait to watch the vest grow, and am getting ready to start the "Leaves" scarf. I've been slow to start as I am more of a "follow the written instructions and check off each line" knitter than a chart reader. Time to branch out (oops-no pun intended!) My darning basket is also one of my favorites along with the medium market which is perfect for carrying along a project and also leaves room to tuck in a magazine or book and your purse. It also fits neatly between the front seats of my van and my truck, putting the project close at hand for some car knitting (only at red lights, while waiting outside the school or the rink, and when I am the passenger I promise!). I've found that the small fabric totes that Longaberger has are perfect for socks, mittens, and other small projects b/c you can hang the loop handles over your wrist and knit as you walk or stand in line somewhere. I believe Knit Picks sells a similar product. Stay warm!
I, too, can't wait to watch the progress on this -- colorwork is just so impressive. I'm going to have to learn that tubular cast-on one of these days....
I really need to try the tubular cast on again. I tried it one time on a sock. Something went terribly wrong and now it appears I hold a grudge against it. Maybe I need to have you give me a lesson next time we get together.
My grandma sells Longaberger baskets (and has since before I was born), so I have quite the collection of them at my parents house! My mom has a ton of them and my grandma has rooms full. I need to get my mom to mail me some of the more useful ones that I have, although my recipe box basket gets lots of use!