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Tuesday, November 24, 2020

The First of Many

I have a finished project to share today that I predict will be the first of many -- and it's all Bonny's fault. After drooling over her many Hitchhiker shawls, I finally cast one one last month, and on Sunday evening, just before bed, I finished it.


Pattern: Hitchhiker by Martina Behm (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Handspun Targhee/bamboo/silk (details in this post)
Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
Started/Completed: October 15/November 22

For my very first Hitchhiker, I followed the pattern exactly as written, although because I had less yarn than called for, I only made it to 39 "teeth" rather than 42. Still, it's a lovely little shawlette, and I am thrilled with how it came out. It was really an excellent pattern for knitting while doing something else, as it requires attention in very few spots (the beginning and end of each row and the beginning of every eighth row) -- everything else is just knit.


I have yet to block this, but I plan to take care of that later this week. I think I can stretch it a bit so that it's a bit bigger and so that the fabric has a bit more drape.

I enjoyed this project so much that I'm already contemplating my next one. For starters, Rainbow really wanted this one, so I need to make her one in a skein of sparkly purple yarn so I can keep this one for myself. And I'm also thinking about quite a few skeins of handspun in my stash that would be perfect. How many is too many Hitchhikers for one person?

Before I start another or half a dozen more, though, there is still gift knitting to do, and that has to be the focus for the moment. I will be back to chat about that tomorrow. But the talk of gift knitting reminds me that I wanted to mention that the Indie Design Giftalong kicks off on Ravelry this evening at 8 p.m. Eastern. This is the eighth year for the event and my eighth time participating as a designer (plus I'm also on the mod team), and I'm excited! All participating designers create a bundle of 10-20 designs that are on sale for 25% off for the first week of the event (using the code giftalong2020); you can find my bundle here. If you're one of those people who can't access Ravelry safely right now, the patterns can also be found in my Payhip shop (look for the Gift Knitting 2020 collection), and I'll be offering the same discount using the coupon code giftknit2020.

10 comments:

  1. That colorway knitted up so beautifully! Like a purple sunset. I can see why Rainbow wants it :)

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    1. I love the idea of a purple sunset! For my next one, I'm actually eyeing a skein of handspun that will look like an actual sunset.

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  2. That is a truly gorgeous Hitchhiker! I think I might have warned you about the addictive properties, and I can hardly look at yarn anymore without wondering what it will look like as a Hitchhiker. Now you can knit one with more of your handspun, with eyelets, with beads ... and I'm tempted to try one with sparkly purple yarn. (Too many Hitchhikers, that's funny!)

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  3. Oh it looks wonderful - no wonder Rainbow wants it! :) I'm so glad you liked it! do you still have a lot of gifts to knit?

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    1. Thank you! I have two pairs of socks (for my father and father-in-law) left to knit, and then whatever I decide to make for my nephew. At least for him, the knitting should be quick.

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  4. That knit up beautifully and fast Sarah! So lovely. Hitchhiker knitting can be addictive...I know that for sure....

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  5. I have thought about this pattern a lot - especially because Bonnie makes it looks so fun. Thanks for the link to your bundle. I was going to ask about that!

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  6. Wow! You got that done quickly!! It is so lovely! (and inspiring!)

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  7. It's so pretty! Garter stitch plays wonderfully with handspun, I think - look forward to watching your collection grow! and thank you for the gift bundle link.

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  8. That is a beautiful hitchhiker. I have two and find them very wearable - a colorful scarf is a nice in the winter. Thanks for the reminder of the Indie Gift Along too. Congratulations on being part of it.

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