« The gloves are done | Main | Knitting on »
April 18, 2006
Disaster
Thank you all for your lovely reactions to my Norwegian/Japanese gloves! I've been wearing them (it's still quite cold in the mornings here, especially when you're riding a bike) and they feel very nice. They also fit me very well, except maybe for the thumb placement, but even that is okay, really. All in all, a very satisfying project, which is more than I can say for some other project....
The notorious Mermaid.
I was knitting away on the second sleeve, maybe not so happily, but with perserverance. Somehow, it occurred to me there was something odd about the way it was turning out. That's when I decided to put it against the first sleeve and look:
The horror! It is 5 stitches longer than the first! How on earth did this happen?? I thought I followed the pattern carefully! Oh, I really don't want to rip and start again.... Yes, I'm sobbing right now.... I know I will find a solution, but right now the only thing I could think of was to stuff the thing into a bag and start a new pair of socks.
The pattern is Ellen's socks from Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush. I've done these before and I'm enjoying them just as much the second time.
I'm also enjoying the small signs of Spring around me, like these daffodils and some kind of blooming tree.
Most others tree, on the other hand, are still looking like this:
Well, at least I get the chance to wear my new gloves before it's to warm.
Posted by saartje at April 18, 2006 10:17 PM
Comments
I think I have that same tree (the one with the spiky yellow... flowers?... on it) in my yard! I'll try to get a picture, and then we can both find out from the experts what that thing is.
Sock therapy is very powerful! I really admire the Ellen's Stockings pattern. I'm currently knitting Juta's Stockings from the same book. Perhaps I will try Ellen's when this pair is done. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. at April 19, 2006 1:21 AM
Oh no! Sorry to hear about the Mermaid sleeve. Is there any way you can set the sleeve a little further in the armhole than normal? Or maybe add length to the other one by casting on 5st and knitting back and forth across them-- you could sew it on or knit it on. It won't be perfect, though. I'm guessing you won't be trying another Hanne Falkenberg pattern again anytime soon...
Good luck-- I know you can get this done! :)
Posted by: Yuki at April 19, 2006 2:52 AM
That tree looks familiar to my Canadian garden as well, and I feel like I should know what it is, but don't. Maybe I'll look in one of my gardening books...
I've been fascinated by your progress on mermaid, since it is such an interesting sweater. Starting something else as a distraction is a good idea, while your sweater problems sort themselves out.
Posted by: Andrea at April 19, 2006 2:55 AM
Oh, Saarte... I'm so sorry. I know that feeling. I would cry, too. I think daffodils and lovely warm gloves are the perfect remedy for the mermaid sleeve heartache.
Baking bread is also very soothing.
Posted by: Janice at April 19, 2006 4:41 AM
Indeed: that's a disaster.. But: I think it's the best (and also the worst in short term) to start over againg. You'll be wearing the mermaid for years! So what's the big deal for a couple of days extra work? I know: its hard, but the pattern is worth it!
Posted by: ajoursteek at April 19, 2006 9:58 AM
I think it all depends on where you did too many rows. If it's the cuff - just rip them and knit the blue stripe again. If it's the shoulder - rip them or try to set the sleeve further in the armhole. If they appeared somehow in the middle in the course of knitting, well... maybe you can stretch the other sleeve a bit while blocking? Good luck with this project!
Posted by: Joanna at April 19, 2006 2:44 PM
ohh saartje,
I almost did cry for you too.
I think 'ajoursteek' is right but for now, ggrrrr
I love your daffodils and they love you.
love, marion.
Posted by: marion at April 19, 2006 5:13 PM
Waaaahhh! I feel your pain :(
It's a beautiful project and I know you'll figure something out.
I'm so happy you get to wear your beautiful mittens!
Posted by: Barb at April 19, 2006 9:43 PM
Argh... and knitting the sleeves simultaneously is not an options, as they're knit sideways.
(((Saartje)))
The socks are beautiful, that must be some help, and I think the tree is a willow, right?
Lie(f)s
Posted by: Lies at April 19, 2006 9:54 PM
Yes, I, too think it's a willow (German: Weide).
Bad luck with the sleeve! Well it might be a lot of work to rip and redo it, but will you be happy if you choose some "cheating" solution as streching when blocking? You might try this and see if it works while wearing and then still decide to do it again. I think it was best to leave it for some time and do something else! Have a nice cup of hot chocolate might help for your nerves, too! *lol*
Posted by: Tina at April 20, 2006 12:56 PM
Sorry to read about the 'mermaid'. Look forward to seeing the socks. I keep looking at Laila's socks as a next project but may do a Latvian mitten. Love your
Norwegian/Japanese gloves.
The tree is a willow (Salix).
Posted by: Amanda at April 20, 2006 9:04 PM
Love the gloves! Great job. Regarding the sweater....What if you picked up stitches around the end of the sleeve and knit the garter stitch rows going the other direction? You could alter the colors as in the pattern or do random colors. If the sleeves are too long when it is finished you could fold this back as a cuff (on both sleeves).
I'm knitting the Lastrada. IF the instructions were better written the patterns would be great mindless knitting! I sure hope the yarn softens up when washed and blocked. Good Luck! Let us know what you decide to do.
Posted by: Denise at April 27, 2006 12:05 AM
Hi, sorry about the Mermaid sleeve. What did you decide to do about it? Did you frog it, or both of them? I'm working on Mermaid too and am thinking of knitting both sleeves at once.
Posted by: Ava at April 30, 2006 5:57 PM
