Finding happiness on top a tractor

My husband along with his 3 brothers and mother own and run a sod and landscaping supply company.  In the 15 years that we've been married, I wanted every little to do with the family business.  I had my own job and my own life and I didn't want to feel tied to the farm 9 months a year.  But that all changed this spring, when I lost the job that I absolutely loved working as an Education Assistant at a local elementary school.

Due to some changes in the family business, they had an opening for me, if I wanted it, mowing the sod fields.  I really didn't know if I wanted to take the job or not, because I knew I had to work even when it was hot and I don't do hot, I knew it was going to be long days (10 hours), and I had never driven a tractor before.  I reluctantly  took the job, saying that I'd give it a try for the summer as long as I could start looking for another job after the the kids went back to school in the fall.

Here we are it's the beginning of August and the unthinkable has happened.  I realized yesterday as I sat in my tractor in 90 degree weather, that I really do like this job.  I don't feel the heat to much as long as there's a breeze.  I like that despite the noise of the tractor, it's peaceful, I know that sounds weird but it is. I like that I get to see wild life that I normally wouldn't.  Yesterday a bald eagle was roused out of some near by trees and swooped down in front of the tractor, I'd never seen one so close.  It made me wish I had my camera.  I also get to see some wonderful sunsets. Every day I'm in awe of how beautiful the farm really is, and I never noticed before.

Me and my tractor

Finished Sweater!

Took a little longer than expected, but I finished my sweater  I started this project with some trepidation.  Although I've knitted several sweaters before, this was only my second attempt at making one for myself. I was worried it wouldn't fit, that I'd run out of yarn, that I wouldn't like it, or that I'd really mess something up.  But I have to say although there are a few elements in the sweater that I should of done different, I'm very pleased with the end result.

Knitting this sweater was definitely a learning experience, and I learned a lot.  I learned how to take measurements properly, how to knit set-in sleeve from the top down.  I learned that my perception of my size is larger than it should be (I could of gone done a size) and that I could probably benefit from some shaping for a better fit.  But most importantly I've learned how to re-size a pattern to fit my needs.  No more pattern lust!

No happy medium

Well I was hoping to get this sweater done before the weather got to warm, but spring came early and I'm still working.  We had record temps the last couple days; almost 80 degrees.  That's unusual for March in Minnesota.  Being that it's so warn, it's getting really hard to concentrate on knitting a winter sweater.  But I'm doing the best I can.  If I could just get the darn sleeves right.  I've knit one sleeve so far and ripped it out twice.  The first time the cuff was to wide, the second time the whole sleeve was to tight.  I've redone the math and hopefully the 3rd times the charm.  Keeping fingers crossed.  Once I get the sleeves perfected, then I have to rip out the hood, but I think I know what the problem is there.  At this rate, maybe I'll have it done before next fall.

Summer knits

I'm still working on my sweater, but summer will be here before we know it and I hope to have my current project done before then.  In the meantime, I'm planning my summer knits.  I have the Alison tank that I've realized the upper torso needs to be ripped out and reworked.  The armhole shaping and the back aren't quite right, it should be a simple fix.

 I've also been eyeing up this asymmetric vest from Drops.  I haven't decided what yarn I'll use yet, but I'm planning on going to the Shepherd's Harvest Festival this spring so maybe I'll find some yarn there

No Knitting Day

I've been on spring break this week and I've been obsessionally knitting; hoping I'd get my sweater done by the time break is over.  I really wanted to wear it to work next week.  But all this knitting is straining my eyes, my arms hurt, and I'm getting so tired I'm making stupid mistakes.  Last night I had to frog about 7 inches on the hood because I was decreasing, making it slant inwards rather than increasing and make it slant out.  So today I'm declaring a no knitting day.  I need the break and I also need to get some other things done that I've been ignoring all week.

Drum roll please

IT FITS!  All my modifications worked.  I still have to do the hood and sleeves yet.  I'm going today to pick out buttons.  I'm thinking either something with a celtic knot or maybe some oblong wood buttons.  The cabling is gorgeous, despite the mistakes, and I think unless you really look close nobody will notice.  I can't wait to finish and show it off.

It never fails...

If there's one thing I've learned in my years of knitting, it's that no project will be completed without some problem; and usually it's something really stupid on my part.  I guess I should've realized I was about due on this project.  I almost had the body of the sweater done and ready to attach the shoulders, when I realized my mistake.  I made one armhole wider than the other, throwing off the front widths.  On one side I had a normal armhole opening and on the other I had an opening big enough to put an elephant leg though.  It actually extended a quarter of the way across my chest, leaving a very narrow band of fabric in the front.

How did this happen?  How could I not see it until now?  Well, on the one side I accidentally bound off twice as many stitches for the underarm than I was suppose to, and I guess I just wasn't paying attention to the difference as I knit.  Looking at the photo I can totally see it now.

So what kind of stupid mistakes have you done in your knitting that took you awhile to realize?