Discovering double knitting

Since I finished the brioche cowl, I decided to try the next project in the Modern Daily Knitting Brioche Field Guide. It was a long honey comb scarf, but I wasn’t sure I wanted another scarf (we are in Texas) so set out to learn the stitch pattern with scrap yarn to see if I liked it.

I don’t.

About 2” into the test I decidedly did not like the emerging fabric. The pattern is interesting, but the fabric is flat with almost no depth. I was hoping to make a bag, but did not think the thin holey knit would do well. So now what? In perusing Pinterest double knit items caught my eye. Double knit also uses two colors of yarn, as does brioche, and produces a double-sided fabric, as does brioche, so I gave that a go.

I like it. Especially after I rigged up a wire ring to hold the two strands of yarn on my finger, but slightly apart.

Double knitting ring made from 20 gauge brass wire

The resulting fabric from double knit is also thick and has a nice feel. I think it will do quite well in many applications, so I shall tuck it into my bag of tricks. The cotton test knit shall go into the dish cloth drawer.

Test knit, honey comb brioche on the bottom, double knit tests above

Fresh feet

Hen enjoying an active foot bath

My hens love their foot bath, so much so that in the hottest days sometimes there is only mud and sludge by the time I make it out to the coop. So I set up an automatic watering system in the chicken run to refill the hens’ foot bath, just because it is so hot and they use it so often. I thought I would run it just at night, just for a couple minutes, so it didn’t scare the chickens, but when I was testing the system, a hen walked in without a care for the running water. So I added a mid-day top up to the timer. The water runs, stirs up the sediment, and mostly rinses out with the overflow. We still have to go out once a day to make sure the yuck is all out, but at least I feel better that there is a full cooling system available to them.

Pyrography #2

Reference photo (left) and pyrography on hand made paper (right)

My second work in pyrography is also a beloved pet. I’m quite pleased with how this one came out. Working with the wood burning kit is much like pointillism, nearly all the shapes are made with small burn dots layered upon one another. I have several more pieces of this particular paper to experiment with before I have to source more and hope the light and dark effect still works.

Why we covered our run

Sophie on top of the chicken run

We originally put welded wire no climb fencing on the top of the chicken’s run to keep out hawks. It also works to keep out cats. Or as a platform for cat TV, depending on your perspective.

Finished brioche cowl

Done! I have finished my first knit along! It took me 15 days to complete (working in fits and starts), and I have learned a new knitting technique. The finished cowl is nice and squishy and quite appropriate for its intended use. The stitching is easier than I anticipated once I learned to recognize the brioche stitches versus regular stitches. The Field Guide 21 from Modern Daily Knitting is a good resource.

Folded brioche cowl to show both sides