treasure

I found this wonderful book from the 1970s in the library book sale - 'A second treasury of knitting patterns' by Barbara G. Walker. It has over 700 knitting patterns, none of which was in the first volume. And there are four volumes in the set. How many patterns is that? The patterns range from simple knit/purl combinations through to more complicated patterns like cables, lace and 'fancy colour'. I love her colour combinations especially the blue and rust on the Sherwood pattern, above. Barbara Walker is not just a knitting genius. She has written books on feminism, feminist spirituality and anthropology. In the few images I found of her she is nearly always wearing a truly amazing knitted garment.

So from 700 inspiring patterns I chose 'cartridge-belt rib'. It's not a true rib (i.e. it's not stretchy) but it has great texture, doesn't curl and looks the same on both sides - perfect, as the book says, for 'well-mannered sportswear'. I'm making a scarf using Harmony, a New Zealand merino 10 ply by Naturally. The problem with knitting scarves is knowing when to stop. Perhaps it's easiest to just keep going until I run out of wool.

Cartridge-belt rib (multiple of 4 stitches plus 3)
Row 1: K3, *slip 1 wyif, k3; rep from *
Row 2: K1, *slip 1 wyif, k3; rep from *, end slip 1 wyif, k1.
Repeat rows 1 and 2.

wyif = with yarn in front
This was the bit that confused me. After knit 3, bring the yarn to the front of the work as if the next stitch is to be purled. Slip the next stitch purlwise, bring the yarn across the front of the slipped stitch and then to the back of the work ready to knit 3.

Reading Le road trip: a traveler's journal of love and France by Vivian Swift + Watching South Solitary (Australian film with Miranda Otto and a lighthouse) + Eating pink meringues