Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Knitting interuptus


Ah, yes, I've had another one of those moments where I put something down for whatever reason, and then months later, I pick it up and expect to knit as though we never shared a lull in our relationship. This time it was with Elka, which I set aside in late spring because it became too hot to sit and knit with Lopi. After searching for hours for the book with the pattern (it was on the bookshelf in full view the entire time), and straightening yarn that had become a twisted mess while sitting alone in a bag (does the yarn party when I'm not looking?) and counting stitches (inexplicably, I didn't make notes on the size I was knitting), I was able to start knitting the chart for the second sleeve. However, in reflection today, I know I made a mistake by knitting the first stitch of the chart as the first stitch of the row. It's really the last stitch of the prior row and even though I was off by one stitch on the pattern, I never stopped to consider why. Nosirree! I just kept knitting. It was the stitch marker that threw me, but if you knit in the round and intend to leave it for a bit, you have to stop either one stitch before or one after the marker. Otherwise, you'll come back to the project and have absolutely no idea where left off because your marker would have gone missing. Sigh...another knit as I say and not as I do moment for this knitter.

Needless to say, I'll be ripping today. It's only a handful of rows, but still. It annoys me.

You can't really appreciate the center color, but it's a very deep burgundy and not black.

Just like knitting the chevron blankie drove me half nuts. I'm glad I'm finally finished with this. I was lulled into complacency by the simplicity of the pattern, but found myself making mistake after mistake. Garter stitch will do that to you. Garter stitch with shaping on both sides of the piece is a recipe for disaster for the rather bored knitter. Row one has evenly spaced decreases and row two puts them back. Meh. Easy-peasy, right? It's not hard to know what row you're on, but it's more mindful knitting than you'd think, and that was the root of my problem. I tried knitting while watching football and baseball games. What better time to knit? Needless to say, there was lots more tinking and reknitting than I'd ordinarily want to see and do. But no mind...it's done and beautiful.

No football for you! When he's standing there to block my view, there will be no knitting, either. That's his, hey, I'm King of the Universe pose. Look at me! Look! Look. At. Me! And hey missie? Got any of those liver biscotti treats left? I will do flips for liver biscotti!

That's enough lollygagging for the day. I'm off to rip a few rows of that sleeve. May you have a day filled with no dropped stitches and time for afternoon tea.

11 comments:

Stephanie V said...

True about the stitch marker and i stitch extra. I've done exactly the same thing. Or other very clever tricks to remember what's coming next which turn out to be not clever after all. Write. It. All. Down. I have starnge cryptic numbers and note all over my patterns. Or stickies on the netbook screen so I can find my way after a hiatus.
Wouldn't it be fun if we all could get together for that afternoon tea?

Celia said...

Ugh! I hate having to rip out rows.

NCmountainwoman said...

How on earth do our dogs always know where to go to be exactly in the way? I know what you mean about leaving the pattern for too long a time.

Get Leo a Green Bay Packer shirt and he might sit down and watch football with you.

Ruth said...

Saturday will be my day for afternoon tea and knitting will be nice and warm at knitting group.
love Leo standing just where you don't want him to be.

Brenda said...

I am glad I am not the only one that rips and rips and complains. Sometimes I start something that I am so excited about doing and then can not wait for the end of it. Maybe I only need to work on very small projects. Leo needs his own "man cave". He could invite his friends over.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

just beautiful knitting and a right cute doggie too!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoox

SkippyMom said...

Leo. Leo always brings a smile to my face. He is like Spot on steroids. giggle.

Love me some Leo. Sorry about the knitting, but Leo will make it better.

Unknown said...

I've done that same thing with stranded knitting in the round.

Aw, Leo is too cute. Thankfully the bunnies and cats stay out from in front of tv when the Bears are on.

sunny said...

good one,hope you visit mine blog too.

Winifred said...

I's awful going back to something ages afterwards. You always swear you are never going to do it again. But you do!

I hate taking things back too it always seems such a waste of time. However the perfectionist in me won't let me carry on. Have to say I don't like those lifelines either, it's sods law but I never make a mistake near one, it;s always after a couple of inches when I'm ready to put another one in.

Love that mutt! He's gorgeous. At east he's not sitting on your knee though!

Gail said...

Your talent still amazes me and Leo makes me smile.