Big Projects

I'm working on a big project, this doll, that needs to be finished.  I finally got the last bit of yarn that I need so I think I can finish it uninterrupted, finally.  This is a great gift, but, I'm not sure I would ever knit it again.  After that, I have a gazillion cloths to make so I have some gifts on hand for the holiday season.  The goods news is I've grown speedier so a 50 line cloth takes me far less time than it used to when I was fumbling for the stitches.

What Is Taking So Long

I haven't had many knitting adventures to share.  I've actually been working on just one project.  This doll has been very difficult as far as the many pieces.  There's not so much variation in technique from other projects.  However, this project has taught me more about seams and stuffing pieces.  I still have four pieces to go, if you can believe it.  Here is what she looks like so far.  This pattern I got from Knitpicks and her name is Annie.  Here's what she looks like so far:

Stepping up in Difficulty

This week, I took a project that was slightly higher in difficulty than my other projects.  It wasn’t that the stitches were too crazy and it was only a dish cloth, so I didn’t think it could be that hard.  However, this one is a complicated mix of knits and purls.  There’s a lot to keep track of and this seems to be my folly.  Finally, I figured out what I was doing.  The border is purl 1 knit 1 ribbing.  The inside of this pattern looks like it’s inset because it doesn’t stick out like the border.  This is made by rows of knit 1 slip 1 and then purling the back.  It’s very pretty and looks elegant in its simplicity.  You can find the pattern here and it is free: Simple Slip Stitch Dischloth.

Increasing

I started, and have nearly finished, a kerchief that is blue.  The point of this was to learn how to increase.  I was nervous, since ribbed stitching was such a challenge, that this would be really hard.  Increasing requires some work with counting rows and keeping track of things, but it was less frightening than I imagined.  Here is a picture of it, though, I don’t have the ties finished on it yet.

 

Ribbed Stitch is a Little Hard

I am probably the only knitter to have this much trouble with it.  But, the ribbed stitch is fairly difficult for me right now.  It's not that I don't get the premise, but for some reason, I keep knitting a purl or purling a knit somewhere, without even remembering I did it.  It's not a matter of identifying the stitches.  I totally notice when I look down and see it.  I think I've had to go back seven to ten times so far on this poor scarf.  I don't know if I'm just really inane or if this is common when you're learning to knit, what seems like a fairly straightforward stitch.

Red and Black Scarf Finished

I finally finished my red and black scarf.  Despite it being my third project, I'm pleased with how regular my stitching looks.  You can definitely tell someone made it, but, it's not so horrible that someone wouldn't be willing to have it around either.  Finishing was less scary than on my second project and it shows definite improvement with my knitting skills.

Technique

I'm only on my third knitting project, and, what I've found is there are just some things that feel beyond me.  Let's be honest, I've done a stockinette stitch once on a hat that wasn't all that good.  Then, I decided I needed some more practice so I made a garter stitch scarf on a ridiculously large needle.  I'm on my second garter stitch scarf now, but, I've added stripes.  I never thought I'd ever graduate to the point where I could do stripes so I know more difficult techniques can be learned.  It just seems things, like socks, are just way over my head.

I planned a lot of easy projects to do next.  These are things that well-weathered knitters might find too easy or boring or could do in a few days.  I think it's good practice to just keep pushing out simple stitches for a while, so that I learn how to knit evenly.  As it is, my scarves keep looking better and better, even if they are clearly a bit endearing in their appearance.

Scarf Moving Along

I'm definitely moving along with the scarf that I am working on.  I feel like I'm getting a rhythm and a more regular stitch.  Though nobody will ever confuse this for something professional, it definitely shows some improvement.  I'm really glad I tried more than one garter stitch scarf.  While repetitive, I think it let me get some comfort with the knitting needles.

New Yarn Purchase

This morning, I ordered yarn for a few projects so I thought I would show them off.

I ordered a nice green for a scarf:

Wool of the Andes - Grass

I ordered a nice blue for making a kerchief:

Telemark Skyline

Finally, I got this funky color for a shrug:

Wool of the Andes - Spumoni

Working on Stripes

The first project I ever attempted was a hat from a book I got in a craft store.  This was a big mistake, really.  It was just not made for learning.  I finished it but not before I thought knitting was too hard for me.  It was an ugly hat that was too small for me.  The second project I tried was a garter stitch scarf that was multi-color yarn in one yarn color and it went a little bit.

Currently, I'm working on a red and black scarf.  This is my first attempt at stripes.  In the pictures, you can see where it seems like it gets bigger and smaller in stitch tension.  Oops.