2020-02-20

Cast on for my first Sunflower (the larger size from the pattern) with two strands of RHSS “Coffee,” using the “drawstring cast-on” method.

I’ve finished nine rounds for the center of the Sunflower and a tenth round to change to “Cornmeal” for the petals. I’m going to Lorie Nicolaus’s video now (I found the link on the Sunflowers pattern page) to learn how to knit the Sunflower’s petals.

Sunflower Coasters: Loom Knitted
first petal demonstrated in time interval
9:23 - 13:09.

2020-02-21

Finished my first Sunflower and planning a second to improve my technique. The center of the Sunflower looks all right; the petals are curled to one side due to uneven cast-on and bind-off tension.

For the second Sunflower’s petals, I need to cast on more tightly and bind off more loosely. The pattern warned of this; I’ll need more practice to achieve an even tension.

I also want to review the instructions for the last petal to avoid missing a step.

2020-02-22

Finished my second Sunflower and planning a third to work out the final details for accurately creating the petals.

I used a stronger yellow color from my stash for the second Sunflower’s petals. I don’t know the brand of yarn or the colorway name because the label is lost.

My tension on the petals has improved, but I miscounted the cast-on bind-off sequence for the petals in two places. I’ll be sure to use the movable stitch marker on the third Sunflower.

2020-02-24

Finished my third Sunflower.

“Three times the charm,” as they say. I’m counting this project as finished.

I reread the pattern several times and watched Lorie Nicolaus’s video again. I realized that I was adding too many wraps while making the petals - that was why they were curling!

One of my goals was to work the center with less tension so that it lies flat. I was careful to apply less tension, but my center is still puckered.

Another goal, to use the movable stitch marker as Brenda Myers recommends, helped me to better track the number of petals made.

I could still improve on evening the petals’ tension and I need to be careful with selecting the last stitch picked up from the beginning of the row.

More practice with loom-knitting other projects should help me to improve generally with my skills so that I can do a better job when I revisit this pattern.