Building in Color: Panel #8 Complete

Building in Color: Panel #8

Butterfly Stitch

 

I am trying really hard to remain focused on my Building in Color Afghan project.  You probably have not noticed, but #7 and #8 are done but I skipped over #6. I need to do #6 next. I have the first several rows of #6 done. I worked the pattern just enough to bring it to class for instruction but have not worked on it since. 

The panel I am featuring today incorporates the Butterfly Stitch.  In this stitch, you slip stitches three in a row, at regular intervals across the work, and you hold the yarn to the front (right side) of the work when you slip the stitches.  Below you can see a taupe horizontal strand of yarn, and above that there is a blue strand and a pink strand. 

To make the Butterfly Stitch, you take your right hand needle and you go under the horizontal strands from the bottom to the top (like a tunnel) and then you knit the prescribed stitch on the needle.  Then you take the tip of your right hand need back through the tunnel.  It's difficult to describe, but HERE is a link to a video if you'd like to see how it's done.

Above, you can see where I've just worked the Butterfly Stitch on the right and, on the left, you can see where the next Butterfly Stitch will be completed. Pretty cool, right? I thought so too!

I must tell you, I have some helpers working with me on this project.  Sandy lays her head on my yarn to ensure my yarn tension is not too loose.  Brutus brings me his ball (so I can throw it).  Brutus believes that dog drool on my knitting will come in handy when it comes time to block the panels.  The dog drool does have a rather sticky consistency after all.

One more thing I'd like to say about the very cool Butterfly Stitch is this.  Michelle Hunter points this out in here video as well.  The Butterfly Stitch looks dramatically different when you work it in a solid color.  Below is a Butterfly Hat photo; the pattern link is HERE.

In this hat pattern, the Butterfly Stitch is worked over five stitches (in the photos above, it was worked only over three stitches).  Also, in the Butterfly hat, the Butterfly Stitch gathers up a total of five horizontal strands (in the photos above, the Butterfly Stitch only gathered up three horizontal strands).  But the technique is the same. You can really see why this is called a Butterfly Stitch when you see it worked up on a solid color.  Almost makes me want to cast on a hat, but I really need to work on Panel #6!

Happy Knitting. I have a number of other projects to share. I'll do that soon.

Building in Color: Panel #5 Complete

Building in Color: Panel #5

This is Building in Color Panel #5 and it is finally complete. I've been getting very behind when it comes to these panels. I am also working on Panel #6 and Panel #7 at this time.  I am teaching this class one panel each month and there are a total of 10 panels.  It's July so we just started #7 yesterday.  I told myself I had to get #5 (May's Panel) done by Sunday. I got it done just in time!

This panel was a slow knit.  The skills learned in this panel include Make 1 Purl (M1P) and a Star Stitch.  Make 1 Purl is an increase and the Star Stitch makes something that I could call a cluster.  To complete the Star Stitch, you knit three and then cross the first knit stitch over the second and third knit stitches.  The Star Stitch results in a decrease of one stitch.  This panel's design results in a really nice, dense fabric.  It's a fun panel to knit but just seemed to grow rather slowly. 

If you'd like to see my other posts about the Building in Color afghan project, click HERE.

Building in Color: Panel #5 in Progress

Here's a sneak peak of Building in Color Panel #5. I adore the look of this panel but it is very slow to grow.  I keep telling myself that I must not work on any other projects until I finish this panel! But I keep picking up Trillian Shawl No. 2, and I cast on another pair of socks, and I started a Granny Square Baby Blanket.  Terrible!  Just terrible!

Maybe I should set a deadline for myself. If I make that deadline public, maybe that will hold me accountable?

Okay, my goal is to complete this panel by Sunday, July 30, 2017.  But first, let me work on that heel on that sock I am knitting. 

Building in Color: Panel #4 Completed

 

Building in Color: Panel #4

I've had this panel done for a little while now but it took me a bit of time to get around to blocking it. Then my computer died.  I was not a fan of this panel. It was a good technique to learn.  In this panel you learn the skill "stitch one in the row below". I did not find this to be a difficult technique, but I thought the panel looked a bit sloppy on the Right Side.  I actually like the look of the panel on the Wrong Side a little bit better.  Below you can see a close up of the panel on the Right Side and, at the very end of this post, you can see a photo of the panel on the Wrong Side. I guess it will be my choice when I sew all the panels together. I can chose to make the Wrong Side the Right Side if I prefer.

I am also slowly working on Panel #5. I love panel #5 but is slow to grow. I've also started Panel #6 but have not worked on it much since class one month ago. Tomorrow I will be teaching class on Panel #7 so I guess I better get busy!

Above (Right Side)

Above (Wrong Side)