Knitters I know tend to fall somewhere along the “perfection spectrum.” At one end of the spectrum we’ve got the folks who are comfortable with . . . let’s just say . . . deviations from pattern specifications. And at the other end of the spectrum we’ve got the folks who obsess about matching up the stripes on their socks.
I’m sure you know where YOU fall, yourself, on this spectrum. Me? I’m closer to the matching-the-stripes end of the spectrum- although I don’t give a fig if my sock stripes match up. But I do rip back (sometimes beyond the point of sanity) to fix a mistake. (I was a 4-H knitter, so what can I say? When your knitting is going to the state fair, you need it To.Be.Perfect.)
For knitters who, like me, tend to obsess (at least some of the time), a project designed to embrace all manner of wonkiness . . . might be just the ticket!
I LOVED knitting this assigned pooling shawl (Calico from Dawn Barker). It was . . . something NEW for me. A new technique very much out of my usual comfort zone of knitting. It was . . . something FRESH for me. Not worrying, for example, how things were lining up or stacking up and just Doing. It. Anyway. And it was . . . totally RANDOM. Always. Every single row.
Once I eased into the flow of the knitting, I found myself just . . . embracing the wonkiness of it all.
I kinda love it.
(And now I might be kinda hooked.)
(But I’ll still rip back and fix my mistakes.) (Because forever a 4-H knitter . . . )
For a few more details (although not many) and more photos, click here for my Field Notes.
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How about you? What are you working on this week?
Assigned pooling is almost a misnomer. “Assigned” has a connotation of some sort of order but it sure is random! I get the new and fresh thing, but I’m not sure I’m up for that level of randomness. But that won’t keep me from admiring your Calico! I didn’t notice the bits of blue until I clicked on your Field Notes, and they make it even more interesting.
I love it, Kym! It looks brilliant… I really love those rust blobs! I have been contemplating a bandana pattern with… linen stitch… I know! But the bandana size is really the most versatile size ever!
I really like it. I am one of those folks who tink back when I must, but I am also one of those folks who loves those rayon shirts with mixed prints. I think your shawl is very interesting and draws the eye. I am sure you will find a way to enjoy it.
I didn’t do any 4-H knitting but I had sewing projects. I’ve never been judged so thoroughly or well as by those 4-H judges at the Central Washington Fair. Still I can embrace wonkiness when I want to. Just finished summer sweater of thick and thin yarn. 🧶 and I’m trying to figure out if it’s ok or not. Will report.
I think assigned pooling (as I interpreted it) just means you assign yourself (by virtue of the pattern) a specific way (such as using a textured stitch) to highlight certain repetitive colors in a multi-colored yarn. I think as Kym enthusiastically reported, it can be a lot of fun (depending on the yarn). I’m too lazy to use the stitch she used but I may try something else. Tho chances are it would be something small like a wristband. (That’s a lot of work!)
Your Calico looks great! I have given up and am planning to use my two skeins for a Sockhead Hat and Cowl and I will purl the contrast color. My head just couldn’t figure it out with multiple patterns so I decided to just let it go and came up with a new plan.
I think it’s good when those of us* who are perfectionists try something that forces us to let go a little bit, and this shawl is definitely one of those projects! I don’t think it would be as much fun if it wasn’t a little wonky.
(*Yes, I’m a stripes-should-match type of knitter, if you couldn’t tell.)
I wasn’t sure about this project when I first saw it on MDK, but I love the way yours turned out Kym – it’s lovely and (for me) the perfect size to wear!
You made me laugh about your perfectly imperfect perfectionism!
I love your Calico. I fell hard for Dawn’s patterns a couple of years ago and made three, one I kept for myself and now sadly misplaced. I loved knitting those so much for all the reasons you mentioned . I myself swim close to the the deviation end of the spectrum so these knits are super satisying for me. . The Assigned Pooling flowerettes are so wonky and at the same time beautiful and delicate. Dawn is brilliant.
(I commented and it disappeared so I apologize if this somehow turns up twice). You made me laugh about your perfectly imperfect perfectionism! I love your Calico. I myself swim in the deviations-are -fine-with-me end of the knitting pool so Dawn’s patterns are total joy. I went on an AP bender when I first discovered her , kept one of the shawls for myself and it quickly became a wardrobe favorite. Now I have sadly misplaced it. Although I am focusing on finishing what I’ve already undertaken this year I may need to treat myself to another Dawn Barker project soon!
I think that’s really cool and I love that it’s random but also assigned. I’m a mistake-fixer-stripe-matcher myself so I get it.
What an interesting piece of knitting. The colors are very pretty. The mind(s) that created random but assigned pooling amazes me. I am one of those fix most every mistake kind of knitters. It’s not so much about perfection – well maybe a little – but also about the symmetry that pleases and calms my nervous system.