June KAL (Knit A Long) Day One

I had a surprising amount of trouble getting started with the KAL -- of course, it is another *first* for me...

I tried the tip of starting the first stitches using the tail along with the regular yarn. I did 6 stitches -- three didn't seem enough, but it still unraveled, and I had to start over. Maybe I did it wrong -- but I am not going to try *that* again. It is too easy to just weave in the ends.

In a way, I was glad to start over, because I had *forced* myself to try doing the moss stitch border and I was surprised at how much I *hated* it. All that switching back and forth -- knit 1, purl 1 was really *tedious*. I did not expect that strong of an emotional reaction to a particular stitch.

I wanted to try the Moss Stitch or Seed Stitch -- I do not think I have ever actually done it -- because I like to follow the written directions, and changing to garter will mean changing all the directions (not really a major problem, but still...)

However, I had such a negative reaction to the poor ol' Seed Stitch, that when I started over, I did switch to Garter. In a way, I feel bad, like some kind of stick in the mud, always doing the same thing, never trying anything new. But, again, I was kind of surprised by the strength of the emotional *relief* I felt to be doing the Garter Stitch. It's not that I do not know *how* to create the Seed Stitch -- it's just that I found it so tedious and so tiring and so emotionally disturbing in a sense. Not quite sure why in spite of all the "reasons" I can think of, but for the time being I am going to go with the garter stitch border.

I am using #6 Flex needles -- Clover bamboo. Theý're fine, but the advantage to circulars is you NEVER lose the "other" needle. All my #6 circulars are in use at the moment, and I have plenty of flexes.

My swatch is about 11" long -- that seems quite large. Of course, I am used to CO 35 instead of 45. Since it doesn't really matter for a dishcloth/washcloth, I think I will stick with it. I should probably go down to #5 needles, but I really don't feel like going that small.

I am using Cottontots Grape Berry. It is a pretty color -- the pictures don't show the true color. It is a nice lavender, and I hope will show off the pattern. Of course, it is hard to know what color to choose when you don't know WHAT you are knitting, lol.

I am going to really *enjoy* this, I think, but it will be hard with my need for instant gratification, to wait for the next set of instructions.

I probably won't end up keeping up with daily pictures, but for the record, here are a few from Day One.