projects I wish I could do

[celticdragonfly]

While I was sitting outside this evening handing out Halloween candy and getting chilled, I started to think about knitting projects I'd like to do for myself. I was already wearing a pair of handknit wool socks. I'd like to do more socks for myself - I have several already planned out and stash for more. Even with the scarf on my ears were getting cold. I was thinking that I really should knit one of those moebius scarf/hood things that I've wanted for years and years. I know there was a pattern in Spinoff for handspun yarn, I should see what weight they had in mind, or find another. (I certainly don't have time to do the spinning, and anyway I do smooth tight even thin yarn, not fluffy yarn) And my hands kept getting cold. I can't knit properly in gloves. I was thinking mabye fingerless gloves, or maybe some of those fingerless gloves with the mitten style flap that goes over them, I've seen pictures of those lately, surely I could find a pattern.

Then I thought some more, and realized yeah, who am I kidding? I almost finished those baby socks, there's a pair of socks promised to Karl I need to get back to, I have a huge project with a deadline coming up fast, and there's so much else I need to do for other people. I don't have time to knit for myself any time soon.

Which makes me sad. Although I do want to do the knitting for people I care about.

Comments

[celticdragonfly.livejournal.com]

I expect I do hold the needles differently. I knit differently from anyone I ever met - seems to be from a combination of a natural tendency towards continental style from all the years of holding yarn like that as a crocheter, while being taught knitting by an English style knitter. I like my style, but it does make me uneasy about teaching anyone else. Sadly, it also makes the Philosopher's Wool two-color method undoable for me. I don't get into color work. I like texture and lace work because it's pretty, but I can stick to one strand of yarn.

That particular sweater was bottom-up. This one:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/celticdragonfly/211719.html
was top-down. As was Maggie's dress -
http://www.kelthaven.org/baby/Nov04/2004-11-28.html last November
http://www.kelthaven.org/baby/images/Apr04/2004-04-11f.jpg April 04

We put that on her Sunday - and suddenly it's barely kneelength, and the cuffs look slightly too short! I'm wondering if I should hunt and see if I have any more of the yarn, rip the hem out of the dress, frog back past the border, and add length. I'd have to redo the sleeves, too.

Hm, I thought felting was supposed to be really hot wash, really cold rinse, and the temperature shock plus agitation was what made it felt.

The 2 size 11 circs really are the largest size needles I own!

[callibr8]

Felting - oh no no no! It's the combo of heat plus agitation that causes the shrinking and "fulling" (which, btw, is actually the correct technical term).

Re yoked sweaters - I found this pattern template online, thanks to a well-keyworded Google search. I think I'll try it next, to make for featuring my other precious skein of handpainted superwash merino from Great Adirondack.

If you have a Michaels or Craft Warehouse near you, they probably have some metal size 13 circs, if you want to get some to try. Wal-Mart might as well, if you don't have serious philosophical objections to shopping there.

Re knitting methods - I have a healthy admiration for Continental, but can't do it myself because the way I hold the needles to do it greatly aggravates an old thumb injury. I taught a friend to knit, but months later when I observed how she was using the needles, I told her that she needed to learn Continental method, that I was sure it would work MUCH better for her. She did, and it has - now her knitting cruises right along, and she can knit by touch. I can knit English by touch, but *not* Continental.

Isn't it great that there are so many ways, and projects, to knit? :)

finished-project alterations

[callibr8]

I'm wondering if I should hunt and see if I have any more of the yarn, rip the hem out of the dress, frog back past the border, and add length. I'd have to redo the sleeves, too.


Awwwww.... Both dress and model are darling!!!

Especially if you have any more of the grey (the contrast color - it looks grey on my monitor anyway), you could use it to add length on the cuffs and hem, and it'd look like you planned it all along. Good luck, if you do decide to "tweak" it that way!