Blankets and Bowls

 A new bowl emerges from the block of wood, this time Water Oak.

Actually from this burl;  the knob that grows on trees usually when a branch is broken or trimmed

and the tree heals over the scar.  It has incredible grain because it is not the usual growth pattern.

 It also gives some interesting bark lines which the woodworker can choose to keep 

or completely remove.  I am going to try and keep it for character!

 After  cleaned up the mess-and I do mean mess!  There is a lot of wood to remove to get to the bowl!

 Once I was also cleaned up, I went in to work on a new swatch for a blanket.

This is just stockinette with lace weight yarn.

I am going to try a basket weave pattern before I commit to a baby blanket.

I am working out the details either way I decide!

The Swatch

 I think I have said it before but I will repeat myself-

adding machine knitting to my skill set has improved my hand knitting also.

This is a great way to make a swatch, especially for hand knitting.  

The gauge I am to attain is 26 stitches in four inches, so as I knitted the swatch,

I placed a stitch marker for the center 26 stitches.

(I added 7 stitches extra on each side so I wouldn't be working with edges!)

When I finished knitting, I made sure I was way past the 35 rows stated in the pattern for row gauge.

Now it was time to measure;  I used the stitch markers to know where to place the vertical rows of

loose contrasting yarn to mark those spots and then did the same to the rows.

The quilting ruler easily shows me that I am spot on for the rows but too loose for the stitches.

I do like the fabric of this swatch so I will save it but will knit a second one with smaller needles to see if I can hit their goals as stated in the pattern .  If not, I will do a bit of math to give me a conversion number to alter their numbers-stay tuned!