unsettled/unfocused

Life continues to leave me unfocused. We're busy, busy, busy, yet time still seems to stand still. It's a very odd feeling, which is leaving me feeling unsettled with my fiber projects as well. I have abandoned several projects that are half-finished to cast on for something new (or fill up a new bobbin with a more enticing fiber). The new project quickly loses its appeal, and the cycle begins again. My goal for this week is to focus myself, and start finishing up some of the many abandoned projects.

The top priority is to finish a pair of socks for a very good friend's birthday, which is only a couple of days away. Sock #1 is complete, and it's a good thing that there is a deadline, because I think I would have a severe case of second sock syndrome with these:

I made the mistake of converting a toe-up pattern (Wendy's Making Tracks socks) to top-down, because I really don't like knitting socks toe up. Of course, one of the main advantages of toe-up socks is the ability to knit the foot the proper size and continue knitting the leg until tire of it or run out of yarn, whichever comes first. So, I bet you can guess what happened to me, the knitter who prefers to knit socks top down. Of course, I ran out of yarn on the first sock. I was about 4 rounds from beginning the toe. I'm using handspun yarn (this stuff), and the skeins weren't quite equal. Luckily, the second skein was a bit heavier, so I finished the first sock and continued on to the second. The first socks weighs 61 grams, and yarn I have for sock #2 weighs 63 grams. I'm not having good feelings about being able to complete the second sock, but I'll try to be optimistic. Send good sock vibes please!

Last week, I had the urge to knit a project that I knew would be finished quickly. I got out my copy of Fitted Knits, some Beaverslide yarn that has been waiting patiently in the stash, and cast on. In only three days, the entire body of the Textured Tunic was finished. I was so excited to be making such quick progress, and then I hit a small snag. The sleeves, when knit as written, may as well have been tourniquets. I don't think they would have fit my five-year-old. I had to rip and reknit the first sleeve three times in order to get a proper fit. It's still a bit snug, but it goes with the look of the sweater. Then I tried it on, and decided I couldn't stand how the side vents looked on me. I wish when there are details like that in a pattern that the publishers would include photos so the knitter can know what to expect. The buttoned vents had a big gap above where the first buttonhole was, and it looked very unflattering. I ripped out the entire bottom of the sweater, and reknit it to fit my hips.

Pattern: Textured Tunic from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel
Yarn: Beaverslide Dry Goods 90% Wool, 10% mohair (worsted weight)  in Larkspur--3 full skeins and about 10 yards of a fourth
Needles:6.0mm (US 10) Denise circulars
Modifications: Many, as noted above. I started knitting this pattern knowing I didn't want the slit at the neckline, but that was a very easy fix. I had to rewrite the numbers for the sleeves to get them to fit my arms, and I also lengthened them from three-quarter length sleeves to full-length sleeves. I omitted the buttoned vents at the sides, and instead kept knitting in the round, increasing every 6 rows until I had the desired width for my hips. I put little vents in the seed stitch trim on the hem, but I think that I may add a button and button loop, because the vents kind of stick out when the sweater is being worn.

Even with all of the ripping and reknitting, this was a very fast project. It took me just over a week to complete. Stefanie Japel wrote Fitted Knits for knitters to be able to customize their garments to fit their specific body type, and though I had several issues with the pattern (FYI: if you knit this, be sure to check the errata first), I was able to get the fit I wanted with some tinkering, and the adjustments and reknitting were worth it in the end. I have already earmarked several other patterns from this book that I plan on knitting, but I've got to finish up some of these works in progress first!

Comments

[PumpkinMama]

Very pretty! Hope time starts speeding up for you.

[Angela]

I love the color you used for the sweater! Fabulous! :-) I understand the time standing still thing. My husband is currently deployed. We're under a month until he comes home for R&R, and it feels as though it'll never get here.

[Carole]

The sweater looks wonderful. Your modifications really did the trick.

[Katie]

What a pretty sweater, Rachel! I love the color on you, and the mods you made were worth it. It fits you well.

I hope you find focus and that the time starts to pass more quickly. Only 3 more months, right? Seems like it was originally going to be November.

[Macoco]

Your sweater is so beautiful - very flattering and a nice color. And it only took you about a week? Amazing.

[margene]

Wonderful fit...beautiful sweater! Good luck with your socks:-)

[sprite]

It looks great on you. Good luck with finishing the second sock in time for your friend's birthday.

[ami]

the sweater is gorgeous and I love those socks.

[elizabeth]

That book's on my wish list and your sweater just moved it up a notch or two! Sorry you had problems, but it turned out fabulously! Keeping my fingers crossed for your socks...

[lucy]

What a lovely fitted sweater you made. It looks antastic on you!

[amanda]

I like your mods to this pattern. It looks like a great pattern in the book and on the model, but you're right about little details like that and how there should be better pictures of them. I think your version came out great!!

[ann]

That's a gorgeous sweater! The back view looks just like the book cover.

[Dani]

Rachel, I know you have a thing or two to frown about, but if I looked that cute in a sweater, I'd have a huge grin on my face. :)Spoken in true middle-aged wide-hipped sentiment! Gorgeous! I order from Beaverslide, too. Love to support those small independent wool companies. Do you use their roving?

Dani

[tiennie]

Your sweater is beautifully done and fits so well on you! Lovely!

[Beth]

Your sweater is beautiful and looks so great on you! I love how you took a picture of the back of your sweater like the cover of the book.

Good luck on your socks. I think you'll make it (with the deadline and with the amount of yarn).

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

That really looks fabulous on you! You should knit to show off your curves more often. I am working on a sweater with super-tight sleeves, too. I have the world's skinniest arms, and I'm pretty sure the pattern as written would not fit. Fortunately, other people have warned of the problem, so I will rewrite the sleeves before I start. Good luck finishing the socks on time.

[keri]

What a gorgeous sweater on you - the color and fit is so flattering!

[Leah]

Lurvely!!!

I feel your pain on the lack of focus. I've been in a similar funk myself and can't settle on any project for any length of time. May it pass quickly for us both!

[Jennie]

It looks great. What a perfect fit! Just gorgeous!

[Teyani]

what a fabulous sweater - And the color looks great on you as well. all in a week?! wow

[kimberly]

Oh that turned out great!! I just don't know how you knit these things so fast-you amaze me. :) Sending some sock vibes your way. The only time I've knit socks toe up is with my handspun because I was so worried about not having enough yarn.

[Madame Purl]

Gorgeous sweater and what a perfect blue.

[Nubiancraftster]

wow that sweater is gorgeous! Love the color.

[Karma]

Love the purply handspun of the socks, mmmm! And your Bluebell is very fitted in a very flattering way. You wear it well!

[Hege]

Beautiful!
And in just a week - wow!

Have a great weekend :)