Knitting Projects

2009-11-21T09:04:00.000-08:00

It has been many years since I attempted a moebius ring. I still have several in my collection of clothing that bring back memories of previous outfits and outdated color schemes in my past. When I made rings in the past, I would knit a simple scarf and then, when completing the project, would twist the scarf and graft the end into the cast on row and sometimes followed the stitch above in a manner that truly left no beginning or ending in the work. Unfortunately I can't presently find the pattern and it is one I KNOW I wouldn't throw out as it was too much fun to provide the results.

Now that my arthritis is abating, I am back to picking up my knitting again and of course one of the first items on my agenda is again a moebius scarf for a cousin. This time I have cast on using Cat Bordhi's instructions, and as most of her information is found in books she sells, the online resources have been a bit sketchy. This has meant that, as in the past, I have created my own ideas of how the work should be done.

First, the casting on is given very roughly online when working out what you want to create is really as straight forward as with any other project as long as you keep in mind that you are casting on the total number of stitches you need to make the length scarf you want involved in this ring. My personal preference is 48 inches. The scarf I am presently making requires 120 stitches to create that length.

What you need to be aware of when looking at a moebius project for the first time is that you actually work out from both sides of the cast on stitches, therefore when I am doing a ring with 120 stitches, for instance, I will be working twice as many, (240 stitches), to return to the marker on the needles. One also has to be very careful to ensure that the ring only makes 1/2 turn, which should be apparent very quickly once you have done one or two rows.

I started this example a couple of days ago, before deciding to post online after being asked for help, so my example here is farther along than the "one or two rows" I suggest, but hopefully the picture gives you an idea of what your work should look like, (see photo below). There is one clear crossing of the needle and no more. If you aren't sure, don't waste your time going further. Start again. See the twist at the top of the knitting photo.....

I find it looks better to start the pattern you want to do for this as soon as you encounter the formed stitches that start when the marker is on the line below the one you are working. That still leaves a slight alteration in stitches through the center of the ring, but it is barely discernable.

The finished ring is here.....

The wool used in the projects here was Mirasol Miski for the main variegated wool, and Cascade 220 for the edging on both items.

........and yes, I know it is unusually dark for a baby, but is lighter than the photos show. My choice was for softness, warmth, and washability in what was locally available.

After all the above, I did find a less convoluted method of casting on for a Moebius Ring here, and plan to try this method soon.

However, before that I plan on knitting a pair of mittens that will hold a house key in a pockets on the back of them as another form of free hands for Mom.

The moebius ring was created in order to provide a little warmth for mom with the leftover wool from a previous project done to welcome little Jonah into the world. I had read about baby cocoons online and wanted to make one. One of the designs I found mentioned that it was possible to make a little head cover by knitting above the top of the cocoon for a number of inches, but I wasn't happy with the result, so fashioned a curved cover instead that wouldn't flop away from the head.

Both of the projects above were done to try out my new AddiClick needles. I did find the ability to change the size valuable when doing the moebius ring as the suggested length of cord caused the need for an extender on it and that made for awkward knitting. It wasn't needed, so changing my mind mid project was a major convenience.

So far I haven't mastered totally disguising the center row where the casting on is done, so if someone has ideas, I look forward to input.....

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