There haven't been any finishes this month but I've been cracking on with the projects I've got on the go as well as a new cast on.
I had every intention last month of casting on something new to help bring back my knitting mojo but I didn't expect it to be another baby garment. Eleanor saw her friend whilst she was home over Easter, the one who had a baby towards the end of last year. Do you remember the Flax Light I knit for the baby? The yarn I used was terrible, it was full of knots and big patches of dye where there should only be speckles and I wasn't at all happy with the finished garment but I decided to give it to her anyway. Well, it turns out that it's one of her favourite items of clothing and she asked Eleanor if I'd knit her another, exactly the same, in the same yarn and the same colour, just a larger size. Well, I'm happy to oblige. It just so happens that I'd complained to the yarn company and they'd sent me a replacement ball so I already had the yarn I needed in my stash so I got it straight on the needles. So far so good with the yarn this time, fingers crossed that I don't come across the same problems as I had last time.
Yippee! I've finished the sleeves on the cardigan. Now it's time for the worst bit of all, picking up stitches the whole way round the button bands and neck. I'm putting it off for the time being, I think I'll put this project aside for a while now and come back to it later when I might have more of an inclination to work on with it. Taking a break from something I'm not totally enjoying working on usually helps me to fall in love with it again.
I finished one of the socks I'm working on and I'm nearly halfway on the second sock. I can't say I'm totally happy with the yarn I'm using and I'll tell you more about that when they're finished.
I'm hoping I might have something cast off before next month's post.
It's hard to knit with a yarn you donn't like, I have one pair of socks I made using yarn I was given as a gift, I will wear them, but the were not an enjoyable knit.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there's so much yarn choice out there these days that it should be easy to choose something really lovely to knit with. If you're not enjoying knitting with a yarn it spoils the end product in a way.
DeleteGood luck with the button bands and neck :-) It is the sleeves that are my stumbling block.... by the time I get to the neckband, I am all fired up again.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely if someone really appreciates your knitting, it is enjoyable to make something that will be loved. x
I must admit that I had to grit my teeth whilst I knit the sleeves too, I don't think I'm really cut out for knitting larger garments. I love knitting for people who are appreciative, it gives me a lovely feeling to know that I've made something which is loved.
DeleteI haven't knitted for a while, I'm to obsessed with my crochet at the moment LOL Most companies are happy to oblige if you have a problem/complaint with their products as they don't want bad reviews or to lose customers. It's nice to have a baby to knit little knitted things for. The sock yarn does look such a lovely colour Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteI'm the same but the other way around. There are crochet projects in mind which I'd like to get started but I'm enjoying knitting too much at the moment to pick up any crochet. I usually let a company know if I'm unhappy with one of their products, unfortunately, I find many companies just don't care so it was good to know that this particular company took my dissatisfaction seriously. It's been a long time since I've had a baby to knit for so I'm thrilled that Eleanor's friend is a lover of hand knits.
DeleteI like the colour of the socks, sorry you're not happy with the yarn. I love the knitting part but hate picking up stitches and sewing up, I wish I could pass that bit on to someone else, lol.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that your baby knitting is being so much appreciated.
I love the colour of the sock yarn but I've had an issue which I'll talk more about when I've finished them. I don't actually mind picking up stitches but I don't like sewing up, that's my pet hate.
DeleteIf I get good service I usually send them an email to tell them.They always reply and appreciate it.I am not very good at complaining!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think it's important to praise good service as much as it is to complain about bad. Actually, I thought it was important to let the company know about the issues I'd had because I'm sure it can't have just affected one ball, they've probably had more people than me emailing about it.
DeleteThat cardigan looks gorgeous and squishy. Good for complaining about the yarn, I don't do that enough. Hope you're well x
ReplyDeleteThe cardigan will be lovely and warm, it will be nice to have it ready to wear next winter. I get fed up with things going wrong so I do tend to complain, though I must admit that most companies couldn't care less so it's good when one take your issues seriously.
DeleteYour knitting always looks so lovely and neat, Jo.
ReplyDeleteI've surprised myself and finally picked up my own needles this week. I'm making a sweater for Lily. A very basic pattern to get back in the swing of things. It's been a while since I've done any knitting. X
Thank you so much for saying so, though there's plenty of room for improvement. How lovely that your knitting mojo has returned, and Lily will benefit from that. I never knitting a thing for my two when they were young and I really regret that now.
DeleteHooray, that the gift, was a great hit. Even though you weren't that happy with it.
ReplyDeleteAnd she even wants another one!!!!!!!
I couldn't believe it when Eleanor came back from meeting her friend with a request for another one the same. I gave her the little jumper even though I wasn't at all happy with it, but it just goes to show, I shouldn't be so much of a perfectionist.
DeleteWell done your projects are coming along nicely. Isn't it nice that your baby jumper went down so well, you'll have to give Eleanor's friend a few lessons as well as the larger size one. 😊
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I should definitely give her lessons, though I know how short of time you are when you've got a baby or young children. I didn't knit at all when my children were young and I regret that now, looking back it would have been lovely to dress them in hand knits.
DeleteWhat a lovely compliment to you that despite your misgivings over the yarn she wants another one just like it. Great that the company replaced the dodgy one, after all, if no one tells them then they don´t know, but a good response from them and gave you the opportunity to begin straight away. I also hate the picking up stitches part, but then its nearly finished. I agree to leave something for a while that is not quite ticking the box, I have left the lacey bolero for now, head is not computing on the decreasing just leaves me frustrated xcx
ReplyDeleteIt's such a lovely compliment. There's so many young people these days who don't like hand knits full stop so I'm thrilled that not only is Eleanor's friend happy for me to knit for her but she positively loves the little things I've made. I don't usually mind picking up stitches, I think it's just this cardigan which I've got a bit of a block with, I seem to have been knitting it for ever and I'll be pleased when it's finished.
DeleteGlad to hear round 2 of the yarn has been better for you. LOVE the sock yarn colors...very nice. The tangerine and white yarn is pretty, so that makes round 2 even better.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
I'm hoping that round 2 continues without any issues, so far so good. I love the colour of the sock yarn but I have encountered a problem which I'll go into more when I've finished.
DeleteI haven't made socks for a while and have totally messed up the toe I was working on a pair I'm making for Yarndale. I've put it to one side and will look at it again at the weekend. Ridiculous as its a pattern I have made over and over again and my own pattern. Think I was just too tired to be working on it last night and rather than put it away I carried on knitting and messed up... It will come goof in the end.
ReplyDeleteMitzi
Oh I know how that happens very well! I think I get a bit complacent with things sometimes and then it all goes wrong. Better to put things down when you're tired otherwise you only end up having to take it back and do it again.
DeleteYou have made some great progress on your projects!
ReplyDeleteI'm knitting very sporadically at the moment but I'm keeping at it. I think I need something which really grabs my attention to get me back on track.
DeleteAll look so good. I'm with you on picking up stitches for bands & have a jumper I need to do the neckband on. As it has turned frightfully cold, I really should get it done. Sorry I've been a bit AWOL on the blogfront, but i'net has had its ups & downs of late. Take care & huggles.
ReplyDeleteI've put the cardigan to one side now but I really want to have it done ready for autumn when the chillier weather arrives, it'll be nice to have a cosy cardigan to wear then.
DeleteYou've lots of nice things ongoing Jo. I'm interested to hear about those socks now. I hope you like them when they're finished, Cathy x
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying knitting the socks and I love the colourway so I'm sure I'll like them once they're finished.
DeleteIm always impressed with those that knit sweaters! and Im sorry about the sock yarn, but I love the colors and dots
ReplyDeleteThe cardigan has been a bit of a slog if I'm honest. It really shouldn't be as I do like it and I like the yarn but knitting something big in a plain yarn and a plain pattern can get a bit monotonous.
Deletethat's wonderful service the company replacing the wool. My knitting life disappeared when I started teaching late January (much like the rest of my life and my blog is pretty awol too!).
ReplyDeleteIt was very good of them to replace the wool. I think life often gets in the way of things, especially when you work.
DeleteHow lovely to be asked to knit a replica of your original gift, such a compliment.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I was thrilled that she liked the little jumper so much, especially when it's probably the worst thing I've ever knit.
DeleteI think that is so lovely to be asked to knit another (larger) one of the original pattern …
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I'm very flattered that she liked the original enough to ask for another the same in a larger size.
DeleteHow lovely a new mum wishes more handknits for her little one from your fair hands. A little knitting therapy with love in every stitch.xx
ReplyDeleteI love seeing babies in hand knits but most people buy their baby's clothes these days so it's lovely that a young mum is dressing her little girl in hand made outfits.
DeleteWhat a lovely compliment, Jo, to be asked to knit another one. I hope you get back your knitting mojo in full soon. It will be easier to do that when you work with a yarn you love. Beautiful work, as always. P. x
ReplyDeleteYou've hit the nail on the head. I don't think any of these three projects are really calling to me, I need to find something I really love and knit it in a yarn which I really love too to get back into the full swing of things.
DeleteLots of wonderful knitting going on I see. Well done on making sweater number two for that little one.
ReplyDeleteI had my reservations about knitting another jumper in the same yarn but so far so good, I do hope I don't come across any problems further into the ball.
DeleteIt does make all the time it takes to knit a garment worthwhile when it's so appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that Eleanor's friend loved the cardigan enough to want a 2nd - nothing feels better than that type of appreciation for a handmade gift that you've created. I know what you mean about setting stuff aside until you feel like working on it - I've had a knit-in-pieces cardigan all knit up with the pieces blocked, but have yet to put it together.
ReplyDeleteI always feel very flattered if someone really loves something I've knit. I'm afraid a knit-in-pieces garment would take me ages to finish off too, sewing up is my most hated job.
DeleteI've often heard about people complaining about wool and receiving a ball or two in return, it must be a common thing.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to be asked to knit another jumper for your daughter's friend, it means she was obviously very pleased with the first one!
I've learned to rest not quit when it comes to projects of any kind, it usually does the trick.
I really like the colours in the socks.
I am the worst for casting on something new before I've finished an item, I have about 7 toys on the go at the moment!
xx
I've never had a problem with yarn before like I had with this ball but the replacement seems okay, fingers crossed. I definitely think it helps to put a project to one side for a while if you're not feeling it, I'd hate not to finish off the cardigan after all that knitting, and I don't need it right away anyway so I'll come back to it before the colder weather sets in again. It's nice to have a few different things on the go, I used to knit on one thing at a time but I've found I stay interested if I have a selection of items to choose from to work on.
DeleteThat is such a compliment! Hallie likes what she likes too and when it's irreplaceable it's always a nightmare for daughter. Newborns are bought far too much, then everything is obsolete...here's to gals who can knit and replace precious pieces.xxx
ReplyDeleteI feel very flattered to be asked to knit something I've already knit again, that's got to mean it's been a loved garment. Newborns grow so quickly so they're out of clothes before you know it so I tend to buy or knit things a little bigger than newborn. I'm knitting this jumper in age 1-2 this time, it should last right through winter then.
DeleteWell done King Cole, and well done you, on all counts. Isn't it lovely when a young mum likes handknits? My daughter loves them for her little boy and has just ordered a replica cardigan in a bigger size than the one I made for him when he was tiny. It's so flattering. x
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely when someone likes what you've made, very flattering. I'm really sad now that I didn't knit for my own children when they were small, but I had other people who made them things so they were never short of hand made garments.
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