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February 26, 2006
Gold, Silver, Bronze... I deserve aluminum
I had the intention of going for the gold, then I couldn't even figure out what I wanted to do for a project. I thought that since my in-laws would be in town and would be amusing my offspring, I would be left with ample time to eat bonbons, bake and knit. It didn't quite happen that way. So here are my olympic projects and my olympic failures:
1) Sweater for me - I had every intention of doing this and finishing it on time. I got most of the way through the raglan increases. It just didn't happen because of dissatisfaction with the fabric and the variegation, not to mention indecision about what to do about it.
2) Fair Isle Sock - I'm part way through the first sock, but I have little holes in the short row heel on the other side of the foot and I made a little mistake a bit before the heel and there's something I'm being really picky about so I'm trying to decide if I don't care because it's only for me or if I go back all the way to the ribbing and start again because it's for me and I deserve something nice dammit. What do you think? I just couldn't decide so I kept abandonning it and then coming back to knit a couple rows before abandonning it again. I couldn't make up my mind to either rip it or work on it.
Don't you hate how when you have to take a photo of your own foot you end up looking like you have tree-trunk legs and stubby feet beacause of the crappy angle? Or do I really have tree trunk legs?
3) Laura sweaters that have been sitting around for a year - They are done! I even worked a bit on the pattern.
4) Lace stole - I've been wanting to knit lace for a really long time. My MIL brought me some silk/mohair yarn from a place not far from my SIL's house. I decided to make a pink puzzle wrap and cast on and started knitting before realizing that knitting lace is not something you can do while mumblemumblemumble entertaining.
5) Helen suggested I finish UFOs -I did, knit for charity -never got past thinking about it and meaning to do it but not feeling like opening up the closet where I had hid all of my yarn from our houseguests, and teach someone to knit. I was supposed to teach a playgroup pal to knit last Friday but she didn't end up coming so that event got scratched for me too. I did however get a few other playgroup gals interested in knitting (some for the first time and some anew) so maybe that can count a little bit for something... what that would be, I don't know.
My main event was really thinking about knitting new projects. I spent way too much time looking at St. Columba and examining every single available color. Then I sat and thought about knitting something from Poetry in Stitches because I'm dying to knit some fair isle. I even had a dream about it today. I didn't even succeed in choosing what my next project will be. I haven't ordered anything and continue to sit and stew in my indecision. Help.
Let me send a big congratulations to those of you who managed to finish your projects. I'm not at all bitter or jealous about your success and my failure (I'm lying).
Posted by kate at February 26, 2006 04:13 PM
Comments
I like those sweaters. Where did you get the pattern from?
Posted by: Heather at March 6, 2006 10:32 AM
Thank GOD! I thought I really did have tree trunks after my last shot......oh wait. I think I do. I am working on Pink Puzzle Wrap, too, in black....ummm, among other things. I will add a pic to my blog. It is a fun knit, if you can be all alone in a sterile, non-sensory environment. But, hey, that's what padded celss are for, right? No, seriously, I have enjoyed the little that I have knit so far.
Posted by: Sharon at March 2, 2006 12:31 AM
yummy yummy socks! and yes, it's the angle.
ceci n'est pas un tree trunk.
Posted by: christine at March 1, 2006 09:21 PM
unravel because it will drive you bonkers. I am never quite happy until the offending parts have been ripped out. I am trying to knit an Easter Dress before the day for fabulous Easter photos with real bunnies arrives (for three year old DD not myself. would look like elephant in a toaster cozy in knitted dress) so I am playing beat the clock. your knitting is quite lovely.
Posted by: Be at March 1, 2006 01:34 PM
I don't know if it's possible to photograph your own foot so that it looks natural. Feet are weird but your fair isle is inspiring! All your projects, it just boggles the mind, girl! I was thinking about the yarn you sent and wondering if I'm ready to do something lacey? But I have no ideas what to start with? The laura sweaters are so cute! I love the color combos you used. I hope you are well!
Posted by: Aimee at March 1, 2006 03:50 AM
The Laura sweaters look absolutely gorgeous. How wonderful to be able to knit something so cute from your own design.
Posted by: Sue at February 28, 2006 05:50 PM
That sock looks great!~Oh my gosh it's great! You will only be happy with it if you back up, so that's what I think you should do. I think in Stephanie's post today (tuesday) about whether you knit your heart out or got to rock a baby, she was talking about you. Okay, maybe it was Lena she was talking about. But it definitely counts, what she said about babies in your life too.
Posted by: julia fc at February 28, 2006 05:12 PM
I finished a UFO. And blabbed a lot about what I wanted to accomplish. Virtually none of it worked out. heh Seems to me, there are a lot more Olympians than medal winners anyway, in the real Olympics. That doesn't mean we didn't TRY. We showed up. We didn't get a medal. Who cares?
The Laura sweaters are just PRECIOUS. Hurry with the pattern so I can buy it. I'm dying to do a stranded color project (or would that be officially a FI pattern? - I don't know the difference). Will you include helpful hints on how to get my stranded knitting to work out the first time I try? Let me know if you need a test knitter in any size! :)
Posted by: Laura Lee at February 27, 2006 04:52 PM
I would be happy if I had accomplished all that while entertaining houseguests! I have been reading your blog for awhile now and I have to say I was very impressed with your design for the Sunrise Circle Jacket (is that the right name?!) in Interweave Knits. I was also wondering if you still sell the bunny pattern?
Posted by: Lee at February 27, 2006 03:46 PM
I love the sweaters and the socks!
Posted by: Christina at February 27, 2006 02:17 PM
The sock looks fabulous!
Posted by: Andrea at February 27, 2006 11:44 AM
hey, I didn't get one either.... but looks like you did a lot of other things!
Posted by: jess at February 27, 2006 10:44 AM
Indecision and unfinished projects - sounds like you are a new mom!!! I could always understand the unfinished work part of motherhood, but what's up with the indecision??? The more children I have the less I can make decisions.
LOVE those baby sweaters - you have such a great eye for color and shape.
Posted by: kathy at February 27, 2006 10:09 AM
I always love the colors you choose! As a lazy knitter, I often keep the flaws, Turkish rug-style, but I have a limit. One minor pattern flaw, ok, but a structural flaw? Rip!
I think they need to make a special tripod for knitters - specifically for self-photography. With a telescoping neck or something, and an automatic shutter.
Posted by: Ginga at February 27, 2006 09:21 AM
no gold here either! pregnancy and deadlines don't exactly mix.
Posted by: kaitlyn at February 27, 2006 09:17 AM
If it makes you feel better, I actually did (almost) finish my first sweater ever. As I knit, I was pretty sure that the armcyes were too deep for such a form-fitted sweater. They were. (I'll post it later today, if you want to laugh.) I knit the arms. The sleeve caps matched the arnscyes, but looked suspiciously deep. I figured that, just this once, I'd follow a pattern almost completely. Now, I've learned that generally my judgment is a heck of a lot better then some pattern-writers. I think it may be time to go back to my insanity sweater: self-designed, lots of shaping, 7 sts/in. At least the thing will fit!
Posted by: Chialea at February 27, 2006 08:27 AM
i just LOVE the green sweater
Posted by: ramona at February 27, 2006 07:10 AM
I didn't get my medal either... but just in case, I joined the team unfinished objects, and as I managed to finish one previously begun one, i'm not feeling (very) bad. I congratulate the gold winners, though i'm a little jealous too. ;)
Posted by: betty at February 27, 2006 05:20 AM
Don't be so hard on yourself. That little tadpole is your gold medal!
Posted by: MommyknitsJen at February 27, 2006 02:30 AM
Wow! To me, those look like a *lot* of successes. And I think the sock is amazing. I think you won't notice the error once it's on your foot (instead of in your hands, earning attention). And *great* colors on those adorable sweaters! :-)
Posted by: susan at February 26, 2006 11:36 PM
Your gold medal event this year is still waking you up a few times each night, I'll bet! ; ) I love -- no, absolutely ADORE -- those wee sweaters. I'm with the rest on the sock...
Posted by: Vicki at February 26, 2006 11:24 PM
i'm knit-picky too. if it bothers you, frog it. I always get dissapointed when i leave a little mistake that only I can see. Anyawys, thanks so much for your help with the sizing on the jacket knit-a-long! I can't wait to get started on it.
Posted by: Makenzie at February 26, 2006 09:56 PM
The socks are great! And even though they look fine to me, I agree with the group that, if something about them bugs you, rip 'em back. Does that cool bulls-eye-type heel have a name?
Posted by: janna at February 26, 2006 09:34 PM
I didn't finish either, Kate. No medal.
You knit with such attention to detail, I'd redo the socks; once the in-laws leave you'll find you can do them justice, I'm sure. I'd vote for the Starmore sweater for your next project, but that might just be because it would be a vicarious way to buy Hebridian yarn.
Posted by: Pam Henager at February 26, 2006 08:54 PM
Tear it back honey! You won't be happy with it otherwise, and besides, you deserve the best!
Finished my lace, btw, if you want to take a look!
(Don't hate me cause I'm beautiful....)
Posted by: Leah at February 26, 2006 07:09 PM
Ohhhh, I just love the little sweaters AND the sock. And I say since it bugs you, you ought to rip, because those socks are something special, and you don't want them to be unloved for a silly reason like little holes. Bravo! Aluminum is a good metal. ;-)
Posted by: Norma at February 26, 2006 07:03 PM
You do deserve something nice and I agree with Iris. Rip! These are for you and they should make you happy, not cross and wishing you had done them differently, when you look at them and wear them.
Posted by: KT at February 26, 2006 06:17 PM
Cute socks! I say unravel, if you think that it will keep bugging you. If not, keep going, who will ever notice?
Posted by: Iris at February 26, 2006 05:37 PM
