Love affair with Chaleur

For more than a few months, I have danced with the elusive "Chaleur". 

It's a beauty of infinite mystery, a pattern filled with delight and twists beyond compare..... a journey of trust in the process (and not reading too far ahead lest it terrify you!)

Julie Hoover has created a poncho style, funnel neck pullover that literally screams comfort!

I chose Malbrigo Rios for this adventure,and we have been fast friends for many an evening now.

A deceptively simple, alluring herringbone pattern enriches every inch of this pullover

(I'm hoping that you can see the deisgn in this photo). The pattern is clear, written out row by row, in excellent detail.

Yet, one that I confess, I knit and ripped at least 20 times in order to capture it's magic initially.

Chaleur is a lady that requires 'trust' in the process. 

 

This evening's challenge was picking up the stitches under the arms,lifting carefully off the provisional cast on rows. This could possibly be an easy process, or then again, it can be one of those mind-bending-irk-you-all-evening-events). I can only recommend, a glass of red wine, a comfy easy chair, and an air of nonchalance as you begin. All will be well.

I am in the middle of picking up stitches under the first arm hole. One side went effortlessly.. pulling the thread, lifting the stitch, pulling the thread, lifting the stitch. ...Ahhh... the other side, well.... ahem.. let us just say that it went sort of like this, pull one thread in the provisional cast on yarn, then pull another place, then yet another, when finally, ahhh, it eases, and then pull three more places before you can lift one stitch........ 

the zen of picking up stitches from provisional cast ons is not lost on me. One direction effortless, smooth....... the other, tedious, irritating, grouch making for sure. Finding the path of least resistance = right method.

I'm about to begin the kitchener, closing the underarm seam..... let's all sound our Ommmmmmm..

(with a thank you nod in the direction of the fabulous Charlene Schurch, wonder-sock-teacher who taught me to kitchener! I send blessings every single time I do this stitch.)

Comments

[Carole]

I have never mastered the art of "unzipping" a provisional cast on. Kudos to you for getting it right at least 50% of the time!

[Angeluna]

Oh wow, I loved that pattern. So nice to see you are trying it out for me!!!

[Ruinwen]

What a beautiful knit! I can't wait to see her completed. :)

When I make a provisional I usually use the crochet kind and I will put in a knot in the little tail that I end at so I know which side will unzip months later when I forget. I learned this lesson on lace weight. lol