* As Elvis never quite said. I wish I had chosen a more jaunty colour than grey for Hawaii but it is what it is. It is slow going and I have to stop at the end of each row to mark it off on the chart so I know where I am. I have added a small ribbon to the Florida end to make it even more clear and have marked the chart with arrows for RW/WS so I know which way I am knitting mid row when I stop to ponder life’s complexities.
I have been using bobbins for the inside passage of Alaska and Hawaii and on my second ball of sea wool have added another bobbin for the Bering Sea. I am getting to the point where I will need to add another bobbin for the Gulf of Mexico and use the main ball for the Atlantic. I have been using the same colour for Texas and Florida on 2 separate balls so the delay at the end of each row is also to untangle all the balls of wool. So far the front looks a little lumpy but I am pleased with the back, not too shabby.
It was slow going yesterday I spent a lot of time wondering about making my own stitch markers. The hardware shop does not have any suitable sized rings so I will try a jewelry makers for jump rings that can have charms or beads added. I have ordered some modeling clay from Amazon to make charms for one set I have in mind.
I want to get the first set of charts finished today, 16 rows is doable and will mean easier knitting as I leave the messy islands and start knitting whole states, less switching colours and no need to carry yarn behind the knitting. It will also give me an idea of the likely finished size. I am regretting not listening to the wool ladies about choice of yarn and thinking I will back this one with some quilting material for a more substantial blanket. But we’ll see, have to knit it first.
bettysue101 