I only got as far as pulling out a few rows. I'd been trying to be good by sewing in all the ends as I went along so I didn't have them all to do once I'd finished and of course, this made pulling it back near on impossible. I decided to abandon the idea at that point. This photo illustrates how different my tension was in the later rows than the earlier ones.
There was nothing for it but to start all over again.
I've never had any problems with my tension in the past, I can only assume that the problem this time has occurred because there's so many different stitches included in this pattern. Anyway, so far so good. This is how it's looking at the moment. It doesn't look very straight here but that's just how I've laid it out.
This time I'm leaving the ends just in case I have to pull it back again, I've learnt my lesson where ends are concerned. It might be a huge job at the end but at least I know it will be easy enough to pull the work back if I have to.
I have to say that I was really enjoying this project when I started it, now I'm on tenterhooks fretting about my tension all the time and it's taken some of the pleasure out of it for me. I lay out the work after every row just to check that it's not pulling and it's quite tiresome. I'll actually be glad when I've got it finished. I know that the first attempt will have to be pulled back at some point otherwise I'll run out of yarn. I'll just have to struggle on and do the best I can with those ends which have been sewn in.
There's one good thing, I know when I sew in ends they're not likely to work themselves loose, they're stuck good and proper.
I'm joining in with Jennifer's Winter Project Link Party over on her Thistlebear blog. Do pop over and take a look what it's all about, and how about joining in with the fun? I'm sure many of you have projects on the go for winter.
I've found that my tension is affected by whatever I'm watching on tv, so I'm better off just listening to music while I crochet.
ReplyDeleteThat's probably the best bet. My tension has been fine when I've crocheted other blankets in just one stitch so I think it's because I'm mixing so many stitches together in this blanket that's the problem.
DeleteThat's a shame, I hope that you get back on track soon. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'm on track again at the moment, I just hope I can manage to stay on track now.
DeleteWhat a bummer, Jo. Good for you for starting over, though. I think I'd have just given up and done something else that I know works!
ReplyDeleteI was very tempted, believe me. I'm just looking forward to getting it finished now, though I'm not even half way through yet.
DeleteLovely colours, shame to have so many ends to sort.
ReplyDeleteI do love the colours. I'm not looking forward to sorting those ends out, I much prefer to sew them in as I go along.
DeleteI can't crochet so it all looks incredibly clever to me - even the bendy edge. Good luck with the unravelling - you've got 100% more patience than me!
ReplyDeleteI've only been crocheting a few years and if I can do it, anyone can. Not sure about having any patience, I was ready to throw it all in the bin but I'm glad I didn't now.
DeleteI really want to learn to crochet but have never learned to do it. I'm hoping to find a local craft class when I retire and get someone to teach me. I also want to learn patchwork. I'm going to try a couple of tutorials on youtube.
ReplyDeleteI've only been crocheting a few years, I learnt from a book and You Tube tutorials. I think a craft class would be a great idea though, I don't think anything's better than someone else showing you the ropes. I'd love to learn patchwork, well, to sew in general. Eleanor's got a sewing machine so I want to have a go on that, it's just finding the time amongst all the other things I want to do.
DeleteDon't fret Jo, as mine has pulled in on the shell rows too. I think you are right with the different amount of patterns, but that is why it can be blocked at the finish. I've sewn in the ends as I go too, so no way I'm pulling it out. I'm still having fun. Will pop you a call soon and talk about it. Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt all seems to be going ok at the moment now that I've started again, I'm just being very careful about my tension as I go along and hope that it doesn't happen again.
DeleteI can remember when some of my dear mums knitting tension wasn't quite what she wanted, or she'd somehow managed to miss/drop some stitches and had to undo and start again or go back a little. It can be so frustrating - but the end result so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI do like the colours here Jo and look forward to seeing the finished article.
Have a lovely weekend - it's pouring with rain in my part of the UK at the moment UGH!!!
All the best Jan
I'd rather put things right while I can rather than plod along till the end and know it's wrong. I think the colours are lovely, they work so well together. We've got a bit of everything here today, rain, wind and sunshine.
DeleteHow frustrating! It looks amazing in all the pictures although I can see that it is tighter in those first few. I have never mastered crochet.....
ReplyDeleteI know, I hated taking it all back and starting again but at least I know it will look better in the end.
DeleteSuch a shame that you had to go back to Jo, better to fix it sooner rather than later though I agree! xx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. At least I hadn't got too far, though it was far enough.
DeleteWow! I am so impressed by all you have done, Jo...even the part where your tension was off maybe because of all the different stitches...it is all beautiful to me, but I admire your determination to make it so that you will be pleased with it in the end. I am cheering you on! xx
ReplyDeleteIt was so annoying seeing how far my tension was out but I couldn't have carried on with it like that, it had to be pulled back otherwise I'd never have been happy with it. It's coming along much better now but I'm not enjoying it as much which is a shame.
DeleteWhat a beauty. I love the colors.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying working with these colours, I'd have never chosen them myself but they work really well together.
DeleteIt will be worth all the fretting in the end, the blanket is looking great. Keep smiling. It is good to know about the ends not being loose! x
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I'm not quite as taken with this blanket now as I was when I started it so I'm hoping that by the time I get it finished, I'll be liking it once again.
DeleteThe shells put my blanket out of shape too. They seemed too tight- not enough of them across the width of the blanket. When I did the second half of the pattern, I left them out and put in some spaced out double crochets instead. Love your colour choices, by the way. :)
ReplyDeleteMy blanket's much better the second time around, I made sure that I've slackened off the tension on any rows which pulled tight the first time around. I used the colours which were suggested but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to pull the rows on which I sewed in the ends back so I may end up short of some colours once I get to the second half of the blanket. I'm not sure yet whether I'll buy more yarn or just substitute some colours.
DeleteRipping back is how I spend half of my knitting (and sewing!) time ;) I just can't let things alone if they're not quite right either. You had such a lot done too! I find with knitting that the more complicated stitches do tend to be tighter. Your latest effort is looking amazing ... love that last close-up shot showing off the fancy stitches.
ReplyDeleteWendy
I think ripping back is a way of life for us crafters. I know it would niggle me if I knew it wasn't quite right, much better to start again and be happy with the finished product. I think there's some lovely stitches in the blanket, it's just a shame that they send my tension haywire.
DeleteYour blanket is looks my very beautiful to me. I think you notice the tension issues more than we ever would. Gr at to know the ends won't be complete no loose anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
I think you're right, when you're working on something you tend to notice every little mistake whereas other people wouldn't necessarily see it. I'd know it wasn't right though so I have to put it right if I can. It's good to know that my sewing in is adequate though.
DeleteYou'll always remember the work that went into that blanket once it's done. That will make it worth so much more to you!
ReplyDeleteThat's true, I think I will. Not sure that it will endear it to me though after all the effort it'll have taken.
DeleteWell done for stating again, it will be worth it in the end. It looks good and it will help you clear out the stash which is a great thing because then you can buy more yarn so don't give up.
ReplyDeleteI am joining in the winter link party over at thistlebear
I'm sure it will be worth it in the end, I'd have never been happy with it as it was. I have to admit that I'm a bit of a perfectionist.
DeleteOh - how frustrating!! However, it is going to be simply gorgeous when you're done. I've seen a couple of finished ones now around the web and your colours are so beautiful - keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI do hope so after all the effort I've put in. I have to admit that I'm not loving it at the moment but I hope to get there with it at the end.
DeleteI feel your pain! It is beautiful and you could probably even out any slight differences by blocking it now.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea to block it as I go along. It seems to be going ok this time around but I'll certainly keep that in mind if anything goes awry.
DeleteI learned my lesson with the ends - DON'T leave them until the end! The tension of the blanket can alter depending on what stitch you are doing. In the main, the 'waves' and the 'stacked shells' sections were the ones I had to watch out with but once you block and get the border on, things should even themselves out. Lovely colours in your blanket.
ReplyDeleteI always thought it best to get the ends sewn in as I went along but it was a big mistake in this case. My whole tension seemed to go to pot on my first attempt, that's why I had to start again, it was just too far out for blocking to make any difference. I'm pleased that it's going better this time.
DeleteHi Jo, your blanket is coming along so quickly now. I'm sorry you had to remove it but I totally understand. I would feel bothered by that too. It must be difficult to keep all those different kinds of stitches and stitch patterns to an even tension. I can see where it could be tricky. I'm sure you must feel better to have fixed it. I hope you'll begin to feel more enthusiastic about it as time goes on, because it's really a pretty blanket.
ReplyDeleteI know I'd have never been satisfied with the blanket if I'd left it as it was, it would have been pointless continuing with it. I do feel better to have put it right and I'm sure my enthusiasm for it will return once I get a little further along.
DeleteIt's always annoying when that happens! My little squares also seem to vary in size despite my best efforts. I have not the patience to undo them because I figure it won't matter too much when I sew them together.
ReplyDeleteYou never realise how good crochet is for your life skills - it teaches patience in bucket loads!
Looking forward to see how you get on!
Best
Eleanor x
I'm sure squares will be more forgiving than this pattern and that you won't notice the difference in size once they're sewn together. I know that blocking and the border would never have sorted out my work so there was only one thing to do and that was start again, it's going much better the second time around. I think you're right about crochet teaching us things, we definitely need patience in any sort of craft.
DeleteI'm trying to rip out my knitting that has had the seams sewn and ends sewn in. It's a nightmare! I never see in the ends when im making a blanket just in case I need to rip back. It's such a shame about the first attempt. Could you use it for a cushion and buy some more yarn to finish the blanket? The new version looks really well but I know what you mean about always having to check it.
ReplyDeleteI hate sewing in the ends so I've always been good and sewed them is as I've gone along but I won't any longer. I hadn't thought about making a cushion out of the first attempt, that's a good idea, I'll see how I get on with the blanket first and then make a decision.
DeleteFrom one Jo to another - oh bum! That is such a shame. Someone commented on my blog about tension this week saying that some dyes plump up wool more than others so the tension varies - interesting I thought! Go and take a look. Hope you can get back into it. Jo x
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you mention about some dyes plumping up wool more, I've actually noticed in the past that some coloured yarn seems thicker than others even though it's the same yarn range but I've never connected it to the dye, it makes sense now. I'm still plodding along with the blanket but I'm not enjoying it as much as I was at first, perhaps I will get back in to it in time.
DeleteHow incredibly frustrating that must have been when you realised.
ReplyDeleteI would have been heart broken!
I really love the different colours and stitches which make up this blanket, really one of the loveliest I've ever seen.
Lisa x
It was frustrating but at least I've put it right and I'm back on track again. I think the stitches and colours really add interest to the blanket, I'm sure it will be lovely when it's finished, it's just getting to the finish line which is a bit of a pain now as I'm having to check every row I do.
DeleteI had exactly the same problem and had to pull back a good bit of mine too. i have finished it now except for the border and it's still a bit wobbly, I think it's quite difficult to get the correct tension when working so many different types of stitches. Your's is looking great and to be honest I don't think it matters if it's not absolutely perfect, mines certainly isn't anyway. Have a great weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that you had trouble with yours too but I'm glad I wasn't the only one. I couldn't have carried on with it as it was, it was too far out of shape but it seems to be going ok now, not sure how long for though.
DeleteI'm sorry you've had to start all over again with this blanket. I'd be sooo frustrated if I had to do that. Maybe this pattern should have a reminder that tension should be checked after every row and every new stitch. But good on you for persevering. The colours you're using are gorgeous. It will be stunning when it's finished. X
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a blanket worth persevering with, as you say, the colours are lovely and the different stitches give it a different look but it was very frustrating having to start again. I'm keeping my eye on my tension now and it seems to be going ok.
Delete