The Gansey Diaries (ep 7)
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"Stop faffing and get on with it" Wrinkle said, rolling her googly eyes. "You didn't photograph your unblocked gauge, so you're just going to have to trust you measured it correctly."
As you can see, the pattern section is starting to look formed and recognisable now, though I've still got several pattern repeats before I start the gusset. At the start I was worried the pattern stitch count was matching my stocking stitch count — conventional wisdom says you should add a few stitches in the pattern section because it knits tighter, especially with cables involved. But I trusted my gauge swatch anyway.
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Now? It's most certainly looking like it is indeed going to work. The fabric lies smooth, it's not pulling-in, and the pattern repeats read clearly. Wrinkle's looking a little smug.
Once I get some more knitting time and now that the pattern section is clearly set, I can just get on and knit. As I mentioned last week, this pattern has a lovely rhythm to it — almost meditative, but needs just enough attention that I don't get bored. Perhaps this is my flow state. There's a difference between deadening repetition and absorbing repetition, and these gansey motifs in particular seem to sit somewhere in that sweet spot where my hands move without me micromanaging them, but my brain stays engaged enough that I don't drop a stitch and spend twenty minutes unpicking (although I not saying the latter never happens...).
Are you gearing up for winter or summer where you are? It's certainly turned colder in this part of the world. I'm getting ready for cosy evenings, lots of knitwear and blankets, steaming mugs of tea or hot chocolate after a chilly walk, crisp autumn leaves under clear blue skies. In reality it'll probably be a lot wetter and soggier than I'm making that sound, but I can dream.
There'll be beach walks and games to play, and as it's Hallowe'en when they're here, we're heading into Whitby to see what the costumes look like this year. It's not just locals in fancy dress — The Whitby Goth Festival takes place at Hallowe'en, drawing thousands of people to this coastal town that Bram Stoker made famous. So it's going to be equal parts teenage energy and maritime gothic history, with some of the most fabulous outfits you have ever seen! Wrinkle's decided she's attending in full costume ("Finally, a crowd that appreciates purple"), though whether she's upgrading her scarf or creating something spookier remains to be seen.
More details next week!
I can't believe we're at Week 7 already! I'd probably have expected to be a little further along than I am, but life and business happen, and I haven't had as much knitting time as I would like. I'm sure you know what that's like.
It has been lovely to dust off the knitwear again. I haven't yet added any more to my collection so far this year, but after Mr Wrinkled Thistle's gansey is finished, I have another one for myself to finish too. There's something comforting being wrapped in cosy jumpers and snuggling under a blanket on the sofa, knitting in hand, of course. It's how I most like to spend the darker evenings.
The little paradise I've described here is about to be completely blown to smithereens, however, as our niece and nephew arrive next week, with their mum. One pre-teen and one just-teen is a lot for a couple with no children and a quiet house! But they are fabulous and they get us both up, moving and out and about. I just need to dig out the ear-plugs 🫣.
The Wrinkled Thistle
Heritage Ganseys | Modern Knitting
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