I am getting a head start on Christmas

I was recently given the book 55 Christmas Balls to Knit by Arne & Carlos. A friend of mine was moving and downsizing her bookshelf so it was my lucky day!



First of all, it's hilarious to say "balls" and I just cannot stop myself. Second, I love All Things Scandinavian and these are no exception. They are so adorable!

And finally, I have always loved the look of Fair Isle and other stranded colorwork knitting, but I have been intimidated. The small scale of these projects is ideal to learn on.

So, yesterday I went to The Yarnery and got some yarn, wound it up, cast on, and finished half of the ball by bedtime, then knit the other half this morning. It was addictive!

Here's my ball:



I am amazed the color pattern doesn't look lame and sloppy. I have read that beginners often have a problem with pulling the floats in too tightly, but I am such a loose knitter I was worried about gaps instead. But I am very pleased with how this looks!

I only knit right-handed, "throwing" style, so it was tricky deciphering the increase directions in the book, which were illustrated in the left-hand "picking" style with just pictures and no words. As for the two yarns I ended up just wrapping them both around my pinky in my usual way and using my index finger to pick up the one I needed. I am sure there is a better way, but whatever. This worked and my speed was hardly any slower than normal. For some areas with very long floats I twisted the yarns together.

I used polyfil to stuff it instead of the wool batting specified because a.) wool is hella expensive, and b.) I don't have any right now and I really needed to finish this ball!

Yarn info, etc is at my Ravelry.

I really want to just keep making these and then I will have a bunch for my tree as well as some nice gifts.