Yarn Traveler

Admittedly as a child of the 80’s, reading that title immediately brings to mind the Swatch commercials (I wanted one so bad, and you know it HAD to have the Swatch guard!). However, I meant it more in the newscaster “Storm Watch 2009!” voice, but it works either way. I suspect that if you have to explain your title, it’s not a good one, but I’m still not changing it.

In preparation to swatch I read up on fair isle, intarsia, and slip stitch knitting. Eventually, my head started to spin and I felt paralyzing indecision start to set in. You know that feeling? I often get it when I’m looking for a new project. I look at so many patterns and so many new projects that I become unable to actually start anything because there are too many to choose from (Ravelry is a tool to be used for good, not evil). I started to feel that way with the mitts, and I knew that I had to start knitting now or I’d just put the yarn away and the project would languish for days/weeks/months (I’m a really good procrastinator!).

I’ve already explained that this project was wrought with challenges, so the only thing to do is to add more, right? I decided that this would not be just any swatch, but I would practice the colorwork while I work out gauge as well. Also, not just any ol’ colorwork would do for practice either. I want Mega Man. If I’m going to be making a video game themed project, it makes sense that my swatch should also have a game character right? Mega Man is dark and light blue, and I had dark and light blue! Perfect right?

Off I went, confident that someone somewhere deep in the internets had a chart of Mega Man that would work. No dice. I tried making one using KnitPro, but it ended up turning his four easy colors into a whole range of grey scales. F*ck that noise. I have Photoshop and I’m not afraid to use it!

A little fiddling (okay, a lot of fiddling plus some intervention and help from Matt) and I have a Mega man chart! If you click on that puppy for the full size file, you too can have a Mega Man chart for your knitting, cross stitch, or crocheting pleasure.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the Mega Man character. I have created this chart for my own personal use and not for any political or monitory gain. If you use this chart, it is also for your own personal use only. You may not sell it, sell items made from it, or any of the usual copyright stuff. If you bring the wrath of Nintendo or Capcom down on me, then I’m taking you down too!

On to the knitting! I have my yarn, I have my chart, I have a head full of intarsia/fair isle knitting information; I’m ready to roll! Three attempts and an evening’s worth of fiddly knitting, this is what I have to show for it…
Frankly, I think it looks like a load of hot mess, but trust me when I say it is an improvement on the other two tries. Tension is not my friend. But I do not despair, because I have a new plan!

Obviously my problem is trying to knit my swatch flat when the mittens will be knit in the round. Therefore this swatch is null and void, and must be frogged forthwith! My next swatch will be perfect, and all of my tension issues will be resolved because I will knit it in the round (ah, delusion, welcome back old friend!).

At what point does a challenge stop being a challenge, and becomes a vendetta? I think I’m nearly there.

You know, I’ve heard that some knitters actually just grab a ball of yarn and a set of needles and then they just SIT DOWN AND START KNITTING! Can you believe it? Suckers! They miss out on all of the fun.

Filed under: Works in Progress on February 5th, 2009