the weather is finally getting cooler here. Not colder. Cooler. My fingers just itch to knit in heavier wools and garments larger than socks. Like cardigans and pullovers. Not even my beloved lace is tempting me now. But I am putting all my dreams of hand-knit jackets on hold temporarily. Why? Because cooler weather brings Christmas with it and money running thin means stash-diving to knit up gifts this year.
this is the part where I warn you about the High Knitting Content.
a few weeks ago, knowing that I would be stash-diving for gifts, my Maternal Grandfather told me he wanted a scarf wide and big enough to “wrap around my head and neck.” I immediately set about digging for my thin supply of Malabrigo worsted weight. For those among us familiar with this wonderful wooly goodness and my oath as a Selfish Knitter: yes, my Maternal Grandfather is Malabrigo scarf knitworthy.
as a general rule, I do not like knitting scarves. They take forever. There is an obvious “Right Side” and “Wrong Side” (or “Pretty Side” and “Ugly Side” if you like). All that work only to have everyone see the “Wrong/Ugly Side” by mistake, because who would want that side to show when there is a much prettier one that really shows off the stitch and yarn? This Grandfather in particular wouldn’t notice (or let’s be honest, care) what side was showing as long as he was warm. I however, would care. People know I knit. They know he is related to me. They will ask if I made the scarf he is wearing. He will say yes. And as silly as it is, I don’t want everyone thinking my knitting is going shotty.
so after a handful of hours spread out over a week, I realized that I would be falling back on my stand-by. The moss stitch. (Yes, I know in America it is call ‘seed stitch’ but my first pattern book was unknowingly from Brittan and I learned it as ‘moss stitch.’)
perhaps my favorite stitch, I love how simple the moss stitch is while creating a wealth of texture to the garment. Quick to memorize, my hands don’t even realize they are knitting half the time. It shows off the yarn beautifully no matter what. It never tries to take all the attention for itself like cables and lace do. Both sides look the same, eliminating the problem of “Pretty” and “Ugly” Sides. So as I celebrate how wonderful this stitch is, I cannot help but wonder…is this scarf done yet?
