I don’t really understand how the pattern works. I can follow the steps – especially after reading the notes properly – but I’m really trusting the designer with regard to *why* it will all make sense when it’s done. It’s my first time with asymmetric design. And is it my first time making a sweater that changes from evenly spread yoke increases to raglan increases once it hits a certain length? I think so.
It feels like a pleasant mystery. Not unlike when I first tried to make Wingspan – I followed the pattern stitch by stitch with no understanding of what they were all doing, and therefore no understanding of how to check whether I’d made a mistake, or pick up a dropped stitch in pattern. I had to restart it a few times.
Light of the Valkyrie has not been restarted at all. I understand the component parts well, I just don’t know why they all work in collaboration. But listen, there’s lots of stuff I don’t understand. How does the internet work? Absolutely no clue. But I’m happy to use it.
Unlike the internet, I expect that I’ll understand this pattern more as I work through it.
I’ve moved my beginning of round marker – I had convinced myself the BOR was at the side, mid-sleeve. Not sure why but it wasn’t until after last week’s post that I figured out my misunderstanding. Anyway I moved it round a bit so the waves are shifted more round the front. Especially the neckline ones.
I’ve used up three of the 14 yoke colours I’d chosen and think I might finish up another three before I’m done. That always feels good, making the last stitch with a particular colour, knowing that its (potentially long) wait in my stash is over. I’ve also used almost half a ball of the main colour – it’s added in single rows between the brights.
So I’m well on the way and, oddly, I’m looking forward to doing to plain knitting now! I suppose when it’s an unusual pattern it doesn’t feel so plain (even though it totally is – no short rows, just stockinette). Plus a variegated yarn always makes a knit compelling and I’m looking forward to seeing how it stripes up.
This is Light of the Valkyrie (Knitty link to free pattern) by Kim McBrien Evans (designer’s site, Indigo Dragonfly). I’m using stash for the yoke and James C Brett Marble DK (Wool Warehouse link) in shade MT34 for the body.
The Crafty Yarnster 