WIP Wednesday: Tackling Tunisian

I started on The Tunisian Terror Sunday evening. And you know what? It’s not so bad!

I read through the pattern once more before chaining a single stitch and discovered I had missed something the first go-round. Something really important: the majority of the colorwork is applied AFTER the crocheting is done. A few squares have minimal crocheted color changes, but the rest of it? It’s cross-stitch! Can you say major sigh of relief? I knew you could.

The technique isn’t hard, but it is time-consuming. I crochet faster than I knit, so I’m accustomed to flying through a crochet piece. Tunisian is much slower than regular crochet, so I’ve only finished one square and started on a second in three evenings of work (haven’t made a stitch as of yet today, but that will be remedied once this blog entry is posted). For someone who’s accustomed to whipping out one or two crocheted afghan squares in an evening, it’s a little frustrating. But this is a new technique, too, so maybe my speed will increase with practice.

It’s amazing how much Tunisian looks like a square of stockinette knitting. A far thicker fabric than a square of plain stockinette, but still… And the back even has “purl” bumps. What do you think of that? I think it’s pretty cool.

As you may have guessed, the Wildflower Cardigan has gone into hibernation for the nonce. I may alternate between the two projects: do four or five squares on the afghan, knit several inches on the cardigan, lather, rinse, repeat.

I left off just at the point where I was to start the pocket on the right side. The pocket linings were knitted first; now the exterior flap with its pretty flower motif will be made and the lining attached. Note to self: remember to read through the entire directions on the pocket again when you return to this project.

Today’s post is part of the WIP Wednesday round-up, hosted by Tami’s Amis. Click the badge over there to see what other fabulous projects are in the works.