As I was working on my new design for a felted Chess Board, I decided to experiment on some tension issues. Being that the felted project did not require a perfect tension, I decided this was the perfect time to try to examine different way to hold the yarn. Now, up front, I will tell you that I have a hard time with my left hand as I am loosing the sensitivity I once had to control the yarn. In the past I have been able to maintain even tension in my knitting simply by making one wrap around my little figure. It worked for my single knitting, stranded knitting with both hands, and double knitting. Now, however, it isn’t working as well, and I knew I would have to come up with something more reliable.
Below is a picture of what happened when I used my old system.
You can see the contrast between the tight and loose rows. This causes what I call, the “wave” affect. It is not very attractive, to say the least.
The second picture is the result of one extra wrap around the little figure of my left hand. The tension is more even, and I feel that I am heading in the right direction. Will it ever be perfect? Probably not. Ugh! But…. then, I’m not a machine.
Coming Soon!
Here is a picture of the large version of my felted/ fulled Chess Board
This board was knitted using Patton’s Classic Wool. It finishes to about 20 by 20.
The sample at the top with the two shades of blue will full /felt to about one inch squares, yielding a board that will be between 11-12 inches square.- perfect for small Chess sets.
The pattern will include a detailed chart, and instructions.
Here is a sample of the chart.
Check back if you are interested. I will be putting it on the shelf in my Etsy store soon.
Knit-tweaker
Creative Knitting - Beyond Knit and Purl 
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