Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I’m Like A Space Cadet

… only with knitting needles.

The February Lady Sweater is really pretty straightforward, especially at the beginning. Garter stitch garter stitch garter stitch, with raglan increases on the right side rows and the occasional buttonhole thrown in to keep me awake.

FLSYoke-01

It was coming along beautifully, although the buttonholes were done in the “uhm, whatever” method. I was all ready to do they eyelet increases when I decided to do something radical… I counted my stitches.

Then, thinking that the number couldn’t possibly be right, I counted them again. The good news is that I got the same number as the first time. The bad news is that the numbers were wrong. Somewhere along the way I must have missed doing an increase or two in one of the sleeve sections, so that one sleeve had six more stitches than the other one. Not only that, but I had done far too many increase rows, so the yoke was too deep and had too many stitches.

After that I took a closer look at the buttonholes and concluded that the “uhm, whatever” method had been a rather bad choice.

I decided when I started this cardigan that I wasn’t going to repeat previous mistakes by blowing off wonky numbers. Nope, this sweater was going to fit, damn it.

So, I took the knitting off of the needles and took out my trusty ball winder.

FLSYoke-02

Then I took a deep breath and turned the handle for all I was worth. In a very short and mildly depressing amount of time, this is what my sweater looked like.

FLSYoke-03

I’ve written myself some notes on the pattern and cast on again. With any luck at all I’ll remember to count my stitches on a regular basis, and to actually follow the buttonhole directions.

Let’s try this again, shall we?

9 comments:

m1k1 said...

I find it best not to think about the lost hours, when ripping back, and realise that I know I will feel better with the new improved version. Even when it happens over and over....
(nice colour yarn)

Anonymous said...

Way to grin and bear it! Just means you get to do more knitting, right? right... garter stitch has a way of tricking me that way. I zone out and forget there are little details to watch out for along the way like increase points and eyelets...

Anonymous said...

It's hard to rip out all your hard work but I'm sure it will be worth it. Good luck with your second go.

Karen said...

Oh, I hear you! But good for you, for not accepting second-best, even from yourself. No, especially from yourself! You rock.

Rose Red said...

Oh noes! But the right thing to do (and I'm such a non-frogger, but I would have done it too).

Anonymous said...

Oh I'm so glad someone else does this sort of thing. :) I SO empathise with you. But just think how much happier you'll be when it's perfect. And it will be. :)

Kathleen Taylor said...

yikes! I can never stop thinking about the lost time when I have to rip a large amount of knitting out. But it's for the best... and you'll be so much happier with the sweater this time around.

MRS MJW said...

Ooooh that project looks like fun and such pretty colors too.

Bells said...

oh dear. It'll all be worth it. Let's remember that huh? You'll see how true this statement is for me shortly!