Jan 10
Fair Weather Knitter
I just got home yesterday evening from my last stint in AZ…and I will say this first of all:
Home is the BEST place!
In the spirit of the New Year, I am trying to chip away at the several UFOs waiting for me, and have vowed not to begin a new knitting project until I have finished at least one of them. There are 4 neglected unfinished objects, and only one qualifies as a WIP.
The reasons that these items ended up as UFOs are NOT complimentary to me….
For the past 6 months or so, I have been knitting furiously….it was my solace and my passion through the summer and fall. I don’t mind difficult patterns, and have actually pushed the envelope a bit in knitting skills. But during this time, it seemed that when the project I was working on challenged me too much, I found something else alluring….and bolted!
Too wit: I began a Gansey sweater for Brook; designed the body (knit that), decided on the neck type and its depth (knit that), designed the shoulder straps (knit those), attached them, and picked up stitches along the first armhole.
It wasn’t until Brook tried the sweater on that I realized that the shoulder straps made the armhole a lot bigger than I had planned. And although I decreased more rapidly, it still wasn’t enough, and the armhole was baggy. I knew that I had to rip the sleeve out and begin again. (the pin marks where I have to rip to). The whole process was just too painful, so I put the sweater by until time would allow me to make my trip to the frog pond. I haven’t yet….
Then I decided to knit some socks with the yarn I bought from Blue Moon….and teach myself the Magic Loop. But on the second sock, I tried using two circular needles….I found that I preferred that technique to ML. Both socks came out fine, but I was stopped in my tracks when I decided to use the Kitchener stitch to graft the toes. These socks were going to the ones that helped me learn to graft:
But I decided that I need time to concentrate quietly and intensely. I was sure to find it when I was working in AZ. But the sad truth is that since then, I have taken them with me twice….they still have open toes.
In the meantime, I decided to knit another pair of socks, both at the same time. The socks were progressing swimmingly, but I found that I hated knitting two at once.
I don’t have second sock syndrome, never have and don’t like the fiddly feeling I get having two socks on the needles. I planned on separating them and progressing one sock at a time….when Kathy sent me an e-mail that there would be an Entrelac class at the LYS in Flagtaff (Purl in the Pines)
The course was taught brilliantly and part of the process was to learn to knit backwards (turning the work over and purling back again for each little section had kept me from Entrelac up to that point). The yarn I chose (quite by accident) proved to be just right and I am smitten…I want to keep knitting and knitting. But this is to be a LONG stole (and a long-term project)….and so can’t slip all that easily into UFO status.
With that in mind, tomorrow I am going to frog the sleeve of Brook’s sweater and begin my decreases again. And Tuesday, a knitter friend who does the Kitchener stitch is going to help me finish the Blue Moon socks. The Entrelac stole will wait….
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“But it seems that when the project I am working on challenges me too much, I find something else alluring….and bolt!”
I know EXACTLY what you mean.
When I was a kid, my grandma knit bandages for lepers. (At least, that’s the way I remember the story.) It was crochet cotton, I think, back and forth and back and forth in nice, calm, relaxing garter.
At the time, I could not see the attraction, but now…… Now I think a nice portable project with no thinking whatsoever would be very restful…..
I love the projects you are working on!!
You know, I think this would be an excellent thing for friends to work on together. Let people all bring their stalled UFOs, and help with the frogging, the taking-off-the-circulars-and-putting-onto-double-pointeds…..
I can graft, but prefer a toe-up sock so I end with casting off at the ankle. If I ever get as far as the ankle (stuck at the heel — I like afterthought, which means I have to know WHEN…. Having lots of sets of double-pointeds is not really conducive to *finishing* things, I fear….)………..
Loooooooooooooooooooooove your entrelac. I say,
rip the sleeve and ball up the ripped yarn, and then have a pleasant rewarding session with the stole.
Kitchner stitch in a nutshell: FN (front needle) BN (back needle… FN knit off 1st st, purl next (leave on needle; BN purl off 1st st, knit next (leave on needle). Repeat until done. I say this little mantra: Knit off, purl; purl off, knit. I’ve been knitting a long time, but still have to talk myself through it!
I absolutely love Brook’s sweater and can’t wait to see it finished, guess we’ll have to make another trip up there when you get it done
Wow….Brook’s sweater is awesome. I’ve been wanting to try a Fair Isle Gansey. I really like the looks of his though. I looked on “youtube” for the Kitchener Stitch and found really comprehensive video instructions….I am going to finish my first pair of socks tomorrow….Check out this link!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7jIzwO5Nv4
Wow, the entrelac stole is absolutely beautiful–love the colors. I’m sure you’ll breeze right through finishing B’s sweater. All your work is very impressive. Glad I found your blog.
The infamous “Brook’s Sweater” looks like it will turn out, even with the changes. I know you can do it, Lois!
Maybe you need less diversion when you’re in AZ???? Hmmm…weaving, spinning, knitting, working…oh, and touring around with the “wrong” crowd? (heeheehee) No wonder you have the knitting UFOs.
From the “Smart Ass” in Airy Zona!
I am working fast and furiously on Brook’s sweater now…ripped out the sleeve and did a gusset type decrease at the edge of the armhole. We got the right size (B just tried it on tonight) and so I am on to regular sleeve knitting with the usual decreases. I am over my trauma
“I just got home yesterday evening from my last stint in AZ…”
Lois I was catching up with your blog this morning and saw this. So you are done with your work in Tuba City? I am so sorry I missed you on your last trip. Your stole is looking so lovely. That yarn is perfect for it. Thanks for posting the photos. I love Brook’s gansey sweater. Glad you are over the trauma. Call when you are in Flagstaff. I would enjoy seeing you.
Cheryl