Saturday 7 April 2018

Taking My Time

You may remember that I started Boxy by Joji Locatelli right at the start of the year. I wrote about it in my On The Needles post, along with some other projects which I've since finished, but Boxy was never meant to be a quick knit. With nearly 400 stitches on the needles and knit in 4 ply yarn I knew it would take some time to complete, especially as I've had other things on the go at the same time.


It's been a really simple knit so far. Knit bottom up, in the round, there's a few rows of rib before changing to stocking stitch, which means knitting every row with it being in the round. It's been a great project to pick up when I haven't wanted to concentrate, and I'm now finally starting to see it grow. In fact, as the sweater is fairly cropped, I'm almost at the point where I'll divide for the armholes.


I enjoy taking my time with the projects I work on. I'm a slow knitter anyway but I see no point in rushing over the things I make, I like to enjoy the process of working on them and seeing them slowly take shape. This sweater is for Eleanor, it's a good job that she isn't in any rush for it because at the pace it's being knit she might have it just in time for next winter.

This is the only thing I've got on my needles at the moment so I think it may be time to cast on some new projects. I can't remember the last time I didn't have a pair of socks on the go so perhaps a new sock pattern will be the first thing to add to my needles.

48 comments:

  1. Your patience is a credit to you, Jo. I wouldn't even start this kind of knitting. I haven't got much patience when it comes to knitting. I don't think I'd even have got the rib done - or maybe even the cast on row! At least I know, though! :oD

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    1. This is real mindless knitting, so far, and I enjoy that when I'm watching TV. It's starting to grow now so I'm seeing something for my effort.

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  2. Gosh, that is a lot of stitches. Lovely when a project grows. I have just finished a little jacket for another elephant I made, tiny in comparison xcx

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    1. The sweater is oversized so it's knit with so many stitches. I don't think you notice that though when you're knitting in the round as you just go round and round.

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  3. It sounds like a project you can just relax with, though in the round is something I've never tackled, except on neckbands. Look forward to seeing what you start knitting next. Enjoy the weekend & take care.

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    1. I enjoy knitting in the round as there's no seams to stitch up. I've got a couple of projects in mind that I'd like to start, I just need to get the yarn for them.

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  4. I love knitting on the round, I have almost finished my first sleeve, but have spent loads of time in garden so less craft time. 4ply is such a light knit, which I love, I have got my wool for my first socks.

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    1. I much prefer knitting in the round than having to sew seams. There's a similar Boxy pattern which uses a heavier weight yarn but Eleanor preferred a lighter weight sweater. I shall look forward to seeing your progress on your socks.

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  5. I love that top, just the thing to hide my big tummy haha, I really wish I had the patience to knit it but 4 ply and me just don't get on unless it's socks of course, I'll have to look out for the heavier yarn version. Have a great weekend. :) xx

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    1. It's been such an easy knit so far but it could get monotonous for someone who wants to think a bit about their knitting. I find it brilliant when I'm watching TV.

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  6. love that sweater, its on my list of things to knit. I am with you on taking your time. I have only just managed to cast off a sweater I started months ago.

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    1. I hate having to rush any sort of craft, I enjoy it all the more when I can take my time. Things take even longer these days when I have more than one thing on the needles at any given time.

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  7. How do you fit 400 stitches? Are you using round needles?
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I am using round needles. You can buy them in different lengths, I think the cord on this needle is 120cm so plenty of room to fit 400 stitches.

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  8. It looks a good project to do. I enjoy a bit of mindless knitting at times xx

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    1. I like to have something easy on my needles, it's hard having to think what you're doing when you're watching TV or talking so this project has been brilliant.

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  9. It always feels strange when you don't have much on your needles, doesn't it? I've reached that stage where I've got to keep swapping things around because I need the needles and there are other projects on them, so I think that's telling me something! :) xx

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    1. I always used to have just one thing on my needles at any one time but I've learned that it's good to have a choice for different situations. I do feel a little lost when I whittle the things I have on the go down to just one project.

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  10. I love the style of that sweater. I often think I look better in boxy tops because I have a very short torso and I carry all of my weight in my abdomen, so a flowy shorter top seems to flatter better than the current style of long, lean tunic. I think this is going to be a really nice knit and I look forward to seeing more!

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    1. I wasn't sure about the style of this sweater for myself but I think it will suit Eleanor, the young seem to get away with anything. The boxy style makes for such a simple knit, no shaping to think about.

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  11. You'll never be short of socks! :D

    This Boxy pattern looks great. I hope you're enjoying it :)

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    1. My sock drawer is rather full but some of my older hand knitted socks will definitely need replacing soon. I'm really enjoying the Boxy sweater, it's a nice, soothing knit.

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  12. I love the colour she's chosen Jo.

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    1. Eleanor chose the colour herself. I wasn't so sure about knitting a large garment in grey, I thought I might get bored of it half way through, but it's been fine and I think it's looking lovely as it's knitted up.

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  13. Gosh, that would take me ages and then not fit when it was finished! Yours is coming on nicely though.

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    1. I'm trusting that it will fit when it's finished, there's so many stitches on the needle that it's rather bunched up but it's oversized anyway so I'm sure it'll be fine.

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  14. I think your sweater is beautiful and is my favorite color. I have made many a sweater where it just seems I knit for hours and never gain an inch on the project. It is like being in a time warp or something. Hugs.

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    1. Eleanor is pleased with how it's looking so far, she chose the colour herself so I'm glad she likes it knit up. I think it will take some time yet before it's finished, especially as I have some new projects waiting to be cast on.

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  15. Your sweater is looking great. I've been working on a cardigan for the past few weeks as well, using sock weight yarn. Like you, it's a slow knit because I'm a slow knitter to begin with and I am also working on a pair of socks, mittens and a blanket. The blanket is my "when I don't have anything easy to knit while I watch tv" project so that one will easily take over a year to complete.

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    1. I know I could have had the sweater finished by now if I'd really wanted to but rushing or working to a schedule takes all the pleasure out of it for me. It's nice to be able to pick it up when you want or work on something else when you want to too as a bit of variety is good.

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  16. I like the jumper but it does look a bit daunting - knitting interest wise - from the photo so well done you for taking it on. However, like you, I love to have something I can knit whilst watching T.V. - things seem to grow so much quicker that way ;) - and this project would be perfect for that. I'll bet I could even manage watching a foreign series with subtitles.

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    1. There definitely isn't much interest in it so far but I don't mind that, it's good for TV watching and I'm sure you could watch a subtitled series whilst knitting it, just plain knitting in the round.

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  17. It's a lovely looking sweater Jo, although I'm not sure I'd have the patience to create something like that. X

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    1. The plain knitting, and the time it takes to complete one round, could definitely get monotonous but I actually enjoy getting in a rhythm whilst watching TV, it's good having something on the needles which needs no concentration.

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  18. It certainly is taking shape, glad you enjoy the process, looking forward to seeing it when you have finished.xxxx

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    1. It seemed a long time until I saw any growth on it but I think there's just an inch to go now until I divide for the sleeves. It's been such an easy knit so far.

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  19. That's a lovely pattern Jo and I'm sure Eleanor will appreciate it. I bought a knitted dress pattern at Yarndale last year which I intended to make and wear this year but I'm only 20 rows in and not sure I'm liking the wool so may have to find another yarn and start again but whether it will be completed by September when I have so many other things whizzing around my head is another thing, but I've still got time if I pull my finger out.
    Mitzi x

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    1. I think you get into a rhythm with knits such as this and it grows without you noticing. I think you do have to enjoy knitting on it though so for such a large project I think it would be important to like the wool you're using. At least you haven't got too far in before you're deciding to start again.

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  20. I like this pattern, a slouchy knit is so versatile. I like to take my time over projects too, and I always have more than one on the go. I generally only make toys and currently have a monkey, a bunny and a lion on the go, all at different stages of completion. What I pick up and work on depends on my mood.
    xx

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    1. I think Eleanor will love this style. I always used to work on one thing at once but I now have more than one thing to work on as I've realised that different situations call for different projects.

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  21. Its looking lovely.
    I knitting relaxation and not speed to get something finished.
    Xx

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    1. I like having something easy on my needles so that I don't have to concentrate too much. This has been a relaxing knit so far.

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  22. Pleased that you are enjoying your knitting and projects you have on the go ...
    This looks great and I do like the colour.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I was a bit worried that I'd get fed up with knitting a plain grey sweater, especially with so many stitches on the needles, but it's been fine. It is a lovely colour.

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  23. I look forward to seeing this finished. It will be very satisfying I imagine. I am as yet still working up to a fingering weight jumper or cardi for myself as I take forever with them in dk.

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    1. I think it will be an achievement to finish this sweater, it's a very long time since I've knitted an adult garment. I jumped in a bit with a fingering weight, I had intended to start on something in DK but Eleanor chose this so I just went with it. It's been fine so far and I've enjoyed knitting it.

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  24. It looks like it's going to be one of those really comfy slouch about sweaters which are an absolute treat to wear.
    Lucky Eleanor having a fab mum to make her one.
    Lisa x

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    1. That's exactly the style that Eleanor was looking for so I hope it turns out okay for her. It's a lovely pattern for an easy knit.

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