I confess I got quite put off doing knitting in multi-colours. It started with a fiddly Debbie Bliss tea cosy- the pattern was an irregular tartan in two colours, and I chose completely the wrong yarn. It was very fuzzy, black and red, and I soon loathed it. I finished one side of the cosy and gave up,resigning it to the project graveyard.
That didn’t stop me looking longingly at Fair Isle patterns or pondering a bit of intarsia. But I didn’t take the plunge. Too complicated, too fiddly, no fun.Well until this weekend. I wanted a break from cables or lace, I had already knitted a plain, unembellished sock for one of my kids. Then I came across a simple sock pattern with a heart motif. I decided to face my fear of the Fair Isle.
This time I had the right (sock) yarn and the right needles. And possibly more patience and willingness to unpick mistakes. I admit I did snap one of the bamboo needles in half by accident and have to dash out and buy a new set. But other than that, I really enjoyed the project.
One sock down, one to go. And once I’ve done that, I have my eye on a Fair Isle cardigan project for the New Year…
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