On the trail . . .

I love it when I’m about to learn something new. You know that feeling you get when your mind is primed for the answer and it’s just a matter of time before you find it? Not a huge answer like THE Answer but a particular answer to a particular thing? That’s what I’m talking about.

I’m preparing to start the Lizard Ridge Afghan. There’s a crate full of Noro Kureyon that I bought for it a couple of years ago sitting in my yarn closet, but other things kept coming up, so the idea and the Noro have been waiting in the wings. Well, their time has come. One of my Ravelry groups is starting a Winter Knit Along on December 21st, and the theme is “Home Is Where the Knitting Is.” The Lizard Ridge will be perfect, so I’m gearing up.

One of the things the pattern calls for is knitting backwards. I was thinking I’d need to put myself into training for this to be ready on the 21st, but it turns out it’s not that difficult. The pattern links to a great Knitty tutorial, and after only a couple of practice sessions, I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with it.

What has surprised me is how dissatisfied I am with the wrap-and-turn technique specified in the pattern. The pattern directions are these:

When working a RS row: Knit to wrapped stitch, insert right needle into both wrap and stitch, and knit them together.
When working a WS row: Purl to wrapped stitch, use tip of left needle to pick up “wrap” and place it on left needle, purl wrap and stitch together.

No. Unh-unh. Not happenin’. I’ve been swatching this way, and it is not nice at all. Where I’ve picked up the purl stitches, especially, the wraps are lumpy and inelegant, and I just can’t believe there’s not a better way. I’ve done plenty of w&t’s on sock heels and not given it much thought, but for an afghan that’s going to be right up in my business in my living space for the rest of my life . . . there has to be a better way. I feel like I know the answer or that I should be able to think my way into it . . . but I’m not quite there. I’m on the trail, though, and I will report back, so watch this space.

Meanwhile, I’m knitting the most precious little sweater you’ve ever seen. We moved to the mountains last Spring, and the December weather is turning out to be on the chilly side for Chihuahuas. I had some KnitPicks Wool of the Andes yarn in my stash, and it’s just the thing to keep a little doggy body cozy.

Pictures of the finished sweater coming soon . . .