Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

My friend's birthday is fast approaching, and it seems to me that now's the time to finish these shelf liners I started for her more than two years ago. I planned to make three, but only finished one and started a second. Look how wrinkled they are from being scrunched up in a bag in the cupboard for so many months! Once I finish them they'll definitely need some steam blocking.

The pattern is based on this Montague table runner which I have adjusted to make longer and narrower. There's also an intentional jog in the seed stitch borders at the beginning and end of each liner where the framing of the cupboard narrows the otherwise open shelf space.

I'm knitting in dishcloth cotton; after attending a tent sale at the Spinrite Factory Outlet I find myself with a ton of it. This is a great way to make some headway through that part of my stash. isn't it. It's also a practical choice for a shelf liner I think - machine washable, can be bleached if needed, absorbent and not linty. Also, the worsted weight cotton makes a thick cushion for glasses and dinnerware.

The only downside is the tedium ... it's like knitting three matching scarves. I guess that explains why it's been on the needles for what seems like forever. Well that stops right now. I'm going to try to knit monogamously on these shelf liners until they're done. Wish me luck ... or patience and self-discipline, more likely.

Of course it's Work-in-Progress Wednesday so I'm linking up with the gang at Tami's Amis. Why not have a look to see what everyone else has been up to?


11 comments:

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

Yes, definitely patience and self-discipline rather than luck are what you need! If it is any consolation, the liners looks like they will be amazing gifts and well worth the effort - and great stashbusters, too.

bookworm-Mary said...

They look great, even if they are tedious! Keep pressing on!

Emily said...

Fantastic pattern! Love it!

Stefanie said...

You'll get through these! You're so good about it and all. What a great idea to make that table runner into cabinet liners.

mkonieczki said...

I hope the impending birthday helps give you the motivation you need to finish this project! It's looking great!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Wow - good luck - that would totally drive me nuts! I was so happy I found triangle shawls - I never have to make another scarf again (unless I want to!!!)

Unknown said...

You are a saint! No way I would make anything larger than a dishcloth in cotton. And I don't even knit those!

autumngeisha said...

They are looking lovely and will be a wonderful gift.

Elisabeth Andree said...

So sure you'll get through these and then you feel satisfied and your friend will be happy! Your work is looking great!

Unknown said...

3 matchin seed-stitch lace cotton scarf-length shelf liners? That takes an impressive amount of discipline! I bet they'll look great, though.

Vivian said...

I knitted a set of table runner and placemats with kitchen cotton years ago, and they got some really nice use till they were too ragged. Yours look so pretty, and I think being liners give them less chance to get dirty.