giraph

In which the knitter remains undecided about spots

In between monitoring emails for client emergencies, setting up an Instagram account, a D&M with a neighbour friend, having the crown placed (finally) on a dental implant, shopping and forgetting to start dinner, there has been a little bit of knitting and a big bit of contemplation about colours.

When I bought the first of the yarn for swatching, I bought three colours that went together nicely. There was a striped jumper in my mind’s eye. I learned lot about how striped-jumpers-I-like are not constructed.

Let’s stick with a solid colour jumper, shall we?

Then I knit a few inches of the pattern I’m using and added a collar with the yellow which I quite liked. Sorry, no photo, I frogged it. I knit another swatch recently that I don’t like so much but I think the first collar was probably 1:1 ribbing, so maybe that’s why.  I don’t like the one row of darker yellow in the collar, so ignore that. Also ignore the darker yellow stripey bits. I think the contrasting collar would be cute, but maybe in a way that should be saved for a toddler’s jumper.

I also bought three more colours that might go nicely with the blue.

A few stripes of coloured, textured stitches, towards the bottom, something like this. (Only not upside down.)

I need some toddlers to knit for. (That’ll make my sister-in-law spit out her coffee.)

Being undecided about spots (Coupling S2E3) is blocking me from picking up the stitches around the neck and adding the collar. There’s no rush, I guess.

Let’s stick with a solid colour jumper, shall we?

In which serious mistakes are made

It is to laugh. You may recall I mentioned yesterday that I hadn’t counted in a while…

Apparently at some point I decided it would be fun to add some extra increases in the middle of the front neck, around the purple markers that have nothing to do with increases. I removed them by dropping the stitches and laddering them back up, sans extra KFB stitches. This left some very loose stitches in their place.

Then there was another trying-on. To be sure the neckline still looks largish, but it now looks more like the collar will take care of that. But the rest looks a tad snuggish. I not so sure those smaller relatives are out of the woods yet, there could still be an unwelcome Christmas pressie.

This morning, I couldn’t shake the feeling there was still something wrong. An analysis ensued, requiring most of my new knitting tools.

The next last marked stitch was definitely twisted. I dropped the stitch (again) and laddered it back up, properly this time. It’s amazing how much the fix settles the eye, even though it still looks all stretched out.

Now I can get back to the knitting.

In which a new ball of wool is joined

I started the day with my first trying-on. The designer says: “It’s no big deal at this point to rip it out, make whatever adjustments and knit it again.” I agree with this in theory, but since (a) I’ve not knit a jumper (or anything else) before and (b) I don’t own the sort of jumper I’m knitting, I don’t really know what adjustments I would make. The neck looks a bit largish perhaps. I’m pretty sure I won’t be gifting it to a hapless victim relative who is smaller than I am. Being somewhat fond of sloppy, shapeless clothing, there is still hope that I can wear it myself.

The knitting today has been unremarkable, in a zen-like, round-and-round sort of way. I’ve become quite adept at recognising a KFB on the needle, so I haven’t had to count so much to ensure I haven’t missed one. In actual fact, I’m a bit overdue for a count as I haven’t counted at all. Shhhh.

Also, I’ve joined in a new ball of wool.

In which the knitter’s ability to follow simple instructions is revealed to be rubbish

Apparently, I cannot follow simple instructions, such as “count the stitches between the green thingies” and “KFB in the stitches on either side of the green thingies.”

I sorted out yesterday’s dropped stitch/not dropped stitch issue without any drama. And, after multiple recounts, I was able to establish that the HUGE difference between the counts at the front and back neck was one stitch, a missed increase at the front neck (25|28|50|28|24).

I analysed my options, as you do.

I implemented the last option. Then much time was wasted with me trying to read the increases in the raglan area, both live and in photographs. By the way, I’m also rubbish at reading my knitting, both live and in photographs. In the end, I decided that the split stitch loop right in the freaking middle of first row of the neckline is much, much hideous-er than the raglans.

Please feel free to point out the myriad flaws in my raglans and my photography. (I was going to show you the hideous split stitch loop, but now I can’t find it.)

A few rounds later it happened again (27|32|54|32|26). WTF? Is there a flaw in my increase round marking system? Last option implemented, again.

Also, system revised: Toggle a larger “increase marker” in or out every time you reach the BOR marker. Marker in, increase. Marker out, count.

28|34|56|34|28
29|36|58|36|29
30|38|60|38|30

So far, so good.

In which stitches are cast on, twice

No more procrastination. I’ve swatched and blocked and counted and calculated until I no longer care. I’m going to knit a jumper and it will fit someone. Bonus points if it’s me.

I’m using Karen Templer’s Improv: Basic pattern for a top-down seamless sweater. The idea is to shape the front neck working back and forth. Once you’re happy with the neck, you cast on enough more stitches to match the back neck count, join and continue in the round. Later on, you add the collar.

One false start: I missed the bit where you increase the front at the raglan markers AND at each end of the front neck. I cast on and placed my markers (1|10|32|10|1). I was knitting along and contemplating the math. Why is any math required? Since I’m only making the raglan increases, I already know how many more stitches will need to be cast on, no matter how deep the neckline. When it gets time to join, back neck minus front neck is going to be the same as the original back neck minus the original two front neck stitches. Way more stitches than given in the example. Reread instructions. Frog.

Now it’s smooth sailing. I really like this yarn. I have needle tips that feel great in the hand. I have a proper length cable. I have tiny round stitch markers that don’t interfere with the increases. I have a great system* for keeping up with increase rounds. I have even, pretty stitches. I have a lovely glass of wine. Knitting is bliss.

You see where this is going, don’t you?

I split a stitch and have it on and off the needle. It drops. I fix it. There’s one of those giant long ladders now which I decide is another dropped stitch. I fix it. I decide I’d better count. There’s now a HUGE difference between the stitch counts at the front and back neck. I’m not knitting, but the counts keep changing. Inexplicably, sometimes one is odd and I’m not on an increase round.

And there’s no more wine.

I put the offensive item aside and drink one two of Gary’s beers. Knitting is horrible.

*If you care, I don’t at the moment, my system is: Toggle a larger “increase marker” by putting it in or taking it out every time you reach the BOR marker. Marker in, increase. Marker out, no increase.

In which money is spent and swatches are knit

Online classes are watched. Blogs are read. Coins drop. Jumper patterns are studied.

Yarn is purchased. Tools are purchased. Swatches are knit. Stitches are counted. Techniques are practised.

More yarn is purchased, in quantities sufficient to knit a jumper. It’s confirmed that dye lots are a thing. More tools are purchased. More swatches are knit. More stitches are counted. More techniques are practised.

Even more yarn is purchased, in quantities sufficient to alleviate paranoia. Because dye lots are a thing. Even more tools are purchased. Even more swatches are knit. Even more stitches are counted. Even more techniques are practised.

You know, I’ve heard that buying craft supplies is a different hobby from using craft supplies.