2023: Wk of 1/8-14; Plan Changes Already!! and Lessons Learned

CAST-ON, FROG, RECAST-ON; SEA GLASS TEE

Well, that didn’t take long. I already changed my mind on the yarn to use on a project although so far so good on pattern choice. I knew I needed a light colored yarn to use with my minis and I planned a cream colored yarn that I had bought years ago for a tee. But since my advent calendar from Emma’s yarn had a lot of light colored yarns, I decided that I would use the light colored minis from the Emma’s Yarn calendar with the dark colored minis from A Girl And Her Wool advent calendar for my Sea Glass Tee. I’m actually thrilled to be using only advent minis for the tee. So this is a change I’m happy with. I also didn’t realize the Sea Glass Tee is a “colorwork” sweater so I’ll be knocking off that goal too by knitting this tee.

I’m knitting the “light/dark” colorwork version. I love it!! I can see making more of these tops for my daughters. Colorwork means the fabric is double thick so it’s going to be warm. But we get cool days in the spring and fall. (Or I’ll just crank up the AC!!) I was given the yarn ring below for Christmas. I’ve never used one before but it’s perfect for this 1×1 colorwork!!

Full confession – I’ve already frogged the sweater shown below. It is my fault. I used the ring to knit my swatch but was having trouble learning how to use it. Much of the tee was knit with one yarn in my right hand the second in my left. This resulted in a MUCH tighter gauge. It tried on the tee (LOVE top down) and it was going to be more of a turtleneck!! In addition to the gauge being too tight, I think I need to do the increases more frequently than the pattern calls for. I’m making a smaller neck opening so I think that’s causing the need for faster increases. I’m not upset. I see the first attempt as learning how to use the ring and figuring out the neck. I’ve already recast it on and I’m finding it much easier to use the ring. I’m doing increases every 2-3 rows instead of 6 as the pattern calls for.

Swatching with Yarn Ring

First Attempt

MORE LESSONS LEARNED 😦

Starting my 2023 plan took a one week hit as I hated the hem on hubby’s sweater so I ripped out the ribbed hem and put in a garter hem. I learned that the yarn does not “unzip” when pulled from the “bottom”. Since it was a bottom up sweater, I ripped out the cast-on and thought I’d easily be able to “unzip the ribbed rows”. A one day project. Instead I had to “unpluck” almost stitch by stitch pulling the yarn through each stitch. So ripping out 2″ of hem took a week!! I should have removed the hem from the first stripe like I did when I lengthen the sleeves. Since it took a week, this is likely a lesson I won’t forget.

A second “lesson” comes from a review of last year’s stitches per day analysis (thanks Backstage Knits). Turns out Sundays are often when I get the most knitting done. Not too surprising as I tend to knit while watching football games. Fridays on the other hand are when I get the least knitting done. Friday evenings are usually spent enjoying a pizza dinner with my son and his girlfriend followed by an evening of card playing. I will cherish these evenings for as long as they last. I don’t plan to make any changes based on this analysis. It was just interesting.

FO – HAT

WOW, what a quick knit a hat is!! Finished the rainbow hat for my son early this week. It was a very basic ribbed hat that was a free pattern on Ravelry, RibaRoni. He loves it although it’s a bit too short so it doesn’t completely cover his ears. I have enough leftover yarn to knit a second longer hat.

DOUBLE HAT WIP

This is now my “brain dead” project for social knitting and walking knitting. Similar to the Musselburgh but it starts in the center with a provisional cast-on. I haven’t done the decreases yet as I’m waiting to make sure I like the length before closing off each end. It’s Christmas stripes on one half and a “winter” stripes on the other. Not sure who is going to be the recipient. Maybe it will be stashed away for a future Advent gift.

Well, the year has had some initial stumbling but I’m happy with the changes and learning to use the yarn ring. Hubby likes his sweater much better with the garter hem. I love the projects I’m working on. I hope your 2023 is also off to a good start.

This is a year of projects (YOP12) update. YOP is a Ravelry Group – make a plan for the year ahead for all your fiber activities, then update your blog each week. Plans can be calendar year (like mine) or mid-year start (like many). Following the plan is optional and creates some of the fun of posts.  YOP started it’s 12th year in July and I’m starting my third year in the group. I’ve been knitting for six years.

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YOP Update – Wk #17 – an FO!!!

FO #4!!!

I finished my Christmas mitts. I’ve very happy with how they turned out. It wouldn’t be me unless I needed a rip out. I bound off the mitts only to realized that the finger part should have been ribbed so that it fits more tightly at the fingers. I, of course, had already woven in the ends. Got the ends dug back out and added some ribbed rows. Washed and ready to be put away until next winter when my son’s girlfriend will be able to put them to good use during our Ohio winter. The stripes are Advent Sock 2019. The cable on the back of the hand is Mitt Envy. Both are free patterns on Ravelry. The evergreen tree stripe right before the hand is my pattern. I’m happy to share if interested. I still want to make a pair of socks with the Christmas stripes.

Christmas Mitts Finished!!

Barbara’s German Hat

My friend Barbara asked me to recreate a hat that was made for her by some cousins in Germany. I’ve never knit a hat before but fortunately the hat was knit with thick yarn (bulky?) so it’s pretty easy to see the stitches. Looks like it’s 3 parts, the headband, a simple cable mid section that gets sewn onto the headband, and then the cap. Like a dimwit, I bought black yarn. I’m holding some silver with sequin lace with the black velvet yarn to help see the stitches. I think she will be disappointed that you can’t see the stitches. Oh well. I’m plodding forward to at least create the pattern instructions. So far I’m on my third attempt. I’m not that familiar with acrylic yarn so I’m struggling with it’s lack of elasticity. I cast on what I though was the right amount of stitches but after about 7 rows, it was clear that the headband was too large. Dropping a needle size also resulted in a too large headband. I think the 3rd try is ok with dropping another needle size and dropping 12 (out of the original 72) stitches. If this doesn’t work, I’m going to have to buy some bulky wool yarn.

Sailormoon Update

I’m back on track with my Sailormoon. I ripped out the lace rows to fix the purl bump. I love how the lace pattern causes the edge shape to look scalloped. I may make the lace a little longer than the pattern calls for. I’ll be trying it on to decide how long to make the body. I should be on sleeve island in next week’s update.

Lace

Personal Note

On a personal note…. my stepdaughter found out this week that she is having a girl the end of October. This will be the first granddaughter. (I have 4 grandsons – all in their 20s) Despite being a “geriatric” mother (I hate that term – I was a “geriatric” mother), the baby is 100% fine (as were all 3 of my “geriatric” babies). I better get to work on that baby blanket!! I have a rainbow striped blanket that started as a prayer blanket which will now need some dedicated attention. She and her husband live 4 hours away but it can still be a day trip.

This is a year of projects (YOP) update. YOP is a Ravelry Group – make a plan for the year ahead for all your fiber activities, then update your blog every week. Plans can be calendar year (like mine) or mid-year start (like many). Following the plan is optional and creates some of the fun of posts. YOP is in it’s 10th year although I’m in my first in the group.