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?

I'm getting excited

I tried it on the best I could and looks like it's going to fit!  I was worried it was going to be to big, but when I measured it last night it's only about a half inch wider than the original pattern.  Looking at it on the table, it still looks huge, but I think I need to come to terms with what size I really am.  I'm up to the armhole shaping and will try it on again when I attach the shoulders together.  I'll post a picture of myself wearing it when I know for sure it will fit.  I'm hoping to have it done in the next month or so, so I can wear it at least once this winter yet.

Sweater update

I've been working on my sweater since Feb 4th.  I'm 10 inches in and now I'm nervous.  I took it off the needles last night to try it on and it looked humungous.  I tried it on the best I could and it seems ok, but when I compared it to another sweater I own, it's about 8 inches to wide and about 2 inches wider than the original pattern.  I know I redesigned to be a little wider than the original pattern, so I'm forging ahead with it and hoping it will all be ok in the end.  I'll know if it fits better once I get up to the armhole shapeing and chest.  If it ends up to big I'll have no choice but to rip it out, start over and follow the pattern.  Already I seeing things I should've done differently.  Like the button bands.  I thought to save time, I'd knit the button bands with the sweater (I really hate picking up stitches) but I don't think that's going to work so well.

On another note, I learned last night that drinking and knitting don't mix to well.  I accidentally dumped my drink in my knitting basket. Luckily nothing was damaged to bad and I didn't get any on the yarn. This is the second time I've done it.  Guess I'll have to be the designated knitter from now on.  Only water for me.

Waiting not so patiently

I ordered the yarn for my sweater last Friday.  I've been sitting on my hands all week to keep them from starting a new project before I can start my sweater.  I've been obsessing all week about the design, playing with the length, size, and gauge in my knitting software.  I've made so many changes that it won't turn out to be the same sweater as the original pattern.  I'm itching to get started, so how can I possibly go to work today when my yarn will be delivered sometime today?  Maybe I should call in with the knitty flu.  Somehow I don't think they'll believe me.