Kay's Korner - A Knitters Notes

Gifting a hand made item is a moment of pride. Make sure that your finished project is just that, finished. So many times in our rush to wrap, we overlook or just plain ignore that important last paragraph of the pattern instructions, "finishing." The designer had a good reason for including those final instructions, from sewing in sleeves to blocking and working in the loose ends from tie ons. So many times the finishing instructions are what take our project from completed to fabulous.

The blocking process insures that not only our projects will be the proper size, but also that the stitches will be set. The spring in animal fibers will respond favorably to the moisture used in blocking. Even cotton items take on a new look when properly finished. Lace stitches, when rinsed and pinned open, show off their intricacy and true beauty. I could go on and on discussing the virtues of proper blocking, so please trust me on this one, just do it.

Don't forget to include the care instructions when gifting a hand made item. I always include a ball band from the yarn used, which shows the fiber content and usually, the best method of cleaning to use. It is also a good idea to tuck a little bobbin of the yarn in the gift, so a small repair can be effected, if necessary. To add a touch of panache to your presentation, custom woven labels can be ordered on the internet and at many craft shops. (Mine read "Rare Purls Original.")

Still on my needles this week is the Elsebeth Lavold pullover "Happy" knitted up in her yarn Hempathy. After several years of projects using heavier weight yarns, I am enjoying working with this finer weight yarn on US #6 needles. So many lovely hours of knitting for my yarn investment and the finished project promises to be the perfect weight for a mild Georgia winter. I have also begun a spectacular cardigan worked in 14 different yarns, blended to perfection. I came across the yarn and pattern when checking my craft closet for UFO's (unfinished objects.) I had made the swatch, knit three rows, and tucked it away in a plastic project storage box for another day. Now it is a gift to myself.

We are having some delays getting all of our new yarn listed on rarepurls.net, but please feel free to contact us at 678-373-3020 or at kmather@rarepurls.net and we will do our best to find the yarn for your needs.

Copyright 2008 Karen Mather