If we were knitting it exactly as written there might not be much to blog about, but we have modifications that we either need to make or want to explore as we go along, using this basic pattern to push us out of our "comfort zone" and question everything. For example, the pattern is written for a standard gauge machine, using Honiburd Cotton Rainbow yarn. Nancy only has a mid-gauge machine (a Studio 860), so some yarn substitution and re-working of numbers will be required. Lynne has a standard gauge machine, but will also explore yarn substitution.
So who are we? I am Nancy, long time hand knitter and a bit newer to machine knitting. My machine, the Studio 860, is a metal bed mid-gauge electronic machine, and one that has many capabilities that I have not yet explored. I love a creative challenge, but usually need a little extra push to not just slip in to what I am comfortable making on my machine. Lynne is also a hand knitter as well as machine knitter, but has been machine knitting for many more years than I, and owns several different machines. I will let her take over the rest of own introduction, perhaps in the comments below.
So how did this get started? Over the last couple of months we've been exchanging emails about getting together on a regular basis, and the conversation evolved to getting together once a month to do something with our machines. We considered doing samples and practicing different techniques (a few a month) on swatches, but it eventually seemed to make more sense to actually produce something useful. Between us we have quite a few print resources at our disposal, and we are neither of us afraid to teach ourselves from a book, but dedicating the time and staying focused seems to be something easier to achieve in partnership with someone likeminded instead of solo. One of the books that is already laid out in a lesson format is Fashion Knit Course Outline for Hand Knitting Machines by Regine Faust. Another that we both own is A Machine Knitters Guide to Creating Fabrics by Susanna E. Lewis and Julia Weissman. We expect both books to be frequent, valuable resources as we explore modifications we might make with the hoodie.
So why the hoodie? We wanted something casual and basic, something that would be inexpensive and not too "precious" that we would not want to make modifications. And something that both of us would be most likely to actually wear.
And why the blog? Some members of our Metro Machine Knitters Guild, and possibly other machine knitters as well, have expressed interest in what we're up to, and perhaps joining along, but we don't all live as relatively close to each other as Lynne and I do, so it seemed a good way to keep people in the loop and allow others to knit-a-long as well if they so desire, either with us or at their own pace. It will also be another tool to keep us focused and accountable I think. I can't say how often we will update the blog, it's too soon to tell, but perhaps as much as weekly, and certainly no less frequently than monthly. We encourage comments, questions and critiques as well, they'll help us along!
Nancy
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