*Tap tap* is this thing on?
So, November was a brief encounter. With lots a family visiting over the last few weeks from such far flung places as India, Jamaica, and er- Iowa, I’ve barely completed a few rows worth of knitting. I do however have a back log of some things including these photos which I took about um, three weeks ago now.
On to the knitting (or unkitting as it is).
Ohh swatch, you filthy little liar you…
This is how far along I was on my Buckle Tank, divided for the armholes and onto the neck shaping. I was excited that it was almost done after such intermittent work and thus (expected) slow progress. You will notice the use of past tense here?
Now I’m somewhat amused that I joked at the outset of this that I didn’t hold out any hope of finishing it in season but even still, this is a little more than I anticipated.
Gauge gauge, I should really know better by now on such a large drappy knit. In my defense this was my travel/knit while not paying attention project and with it being worked in the round it was all bunched on the needles. I usually would have stopped and really checked gauge closer if I had been at home with plenty of space to spread out. I recently heard the term “Optimistic knitting” on a Ravelry forum and think that’s the best description I’ve heard yet. Thoughts such as “This looks a little big, but hey it’s supposed to be slouchy so that’s alright. It’ll be fine.” flitter through your head. If only I could apply a portion of this overzealous optimism to other areas of my life. (Hey I have 5 weeks worth of work at the office to complete in one week’s time- but I’m sure I’ll still have plenty of time to finish that deadline knit, yeah!)
Once half of the stitches were off the needle and it was spread out the truth was glaring. With a heartfelt whimper I ripped out almost all the blue section and started again on smaller needles and this is where it rests now. I feel like such a bad blogger starting things only to have them disappear from the blog for long periods that I hate to not jump back in on this but we’ll see. I think it (or me) needs a time out.
On a funner note- it looks like I’m going to be at the Knitting Nook in North Richland Hills this Saturday to meet with a group starting a Celtic Tote KAL and talking a bit about my pattern! If you’re in the Dallas area hope to see you there. :)
Thats lovely,the colours go well,hope you had a lovely time with family visiting.
So sad when knits betray. I have two different socks that went a little too optimistically, and are now sitting in their little bags, thinking about what they’ve done before they go back to being yarn cakes.
the colors are great – negative progress stinks! sounds like you are all famous now – your first appearance!
Oh, I hate when that happens!! stinkin’ gauge!
Ohhh, I hate it when swatches lie! Hate! I often wonder if it’s even worth doing a swatch sometimes . . .
Love the colors!!
I’m not sure I’ll make the Saturday thing, but I will pass the word!
Yes, that celtic tote is awesome. I understand why it would be a great knit-a-long project – fun! My husband loved it too, so it will definitely be on the needles soon. Have a good trip!
Gauge swatches lie to me all the time. I feel for you woman, I think I might have to rip out my sweater that is almost at armpit-level as well (unless I plan on getting preggers or gaining 50lbs, in which case I’m golden). I think this is why I avoid sweater-making! Good luck!
I am sorry to hear about all that ripping, but you get serious credit in my book for the Weezer reference.
Good Luck at the KAL!
Sorry about the ripping. This is one of the reasons I don’t like knitting in the round (there are others too) – a lot of knitting has to be done before you get enough length to check row gauge.
And as far as the blog goes – that’s the nature of the beast. Things get started, interrupted, put aside, sometimes never to see the light of day again. Don’t feel pressured to have to follow through on every project you cast on for! ;)
Hope all is well with you!
Those are fantastic! I’ve been looking for a quick but satisfying knit, and I’ve had some Thick Kureon just hanging out in my stash for far far too long.
Love ‘em!!!
I love the colors of the sweater. I’m actually working on a project with the same combo. It’s the Mexican wrestling mask from SnB.
*giggle* “Optimistic knitting” really is such a useful term. I’m sorry about your sweater’s gauge crisis. BUT! I just wanted to pass along a compliment– I was at a party last weekend with my boyfriend’s family (all knitters) and we started flipping through the latest Interweave. Starting with his cousin’s exclamation of “Aiee! WANT it!”, your Celtic tote pattern was a huge, huge hit. ^__^ I bet your KAL will be a lot of fun.
How fun! That is a great little store in NRH. The ladies are so nice and they even have a tiny doggie that runs about the store! How did it go?
Cool blog. I dig your knit patterns.
Weezer~! Just commenting on your choice of blog-post title hehehe…..
How wonderfull is your blog !!!
I love it… just continue like that, it a beautiful source of inspiration…
Kisses from France
bohémia
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It’s so painful when swatches lie! I made a resolution to stop lurking, so I’ve come out of hiding – I love your blog. :)