Sunday, April 15, 2012

They are the boss of me

For a few years I have been teaching myself knitting.  Yes, a sane person would take classes - but what would be the fun of that? 

So I decided that my friend Lori would be my far-away knitting guru (of course, she doesn't know about this!) and that if I felt up to the task, I would try some of the patterns that she is knitting if they don't have (1) unrecognizable instructions (2) decorative panel instructions to follow (3) don't involve 1068 stitches...and a few other rules that I have.

I loved the sweater in this post  so decided to give it a try.  Down with seams!  Up with knitting a cardigan on one lovely long needle.  Up with lovely garter stitch, only one stitch to master.   It was all going swimmingly, even if I DID forget one or two buttonholes...I have a plan for that.

Then came the sleeves. 


Double pointed devils (aka DP needles) for the sleeves that require you to remember that you have to knit and then purl to get garter stitch.  And to remember to count rows so that you decrease appropriately.  To learn/remember that reverse stockinette is NOT garter, and you can't switch between the two. And to learn/remember how to pick up dropped stitch, after dropped stitch.

I have ripped back more than once on these sleeves!

In the words of Princess Leia - Lori-wan Graham-obie please send the Force this way so that those devils needles aren't the boss of me!!! 


18 comments:

Lori ann said...

ah haha mim! your so cute. yay for the garter stitch sweater, your almost there! those dps are certainly not the boss of you.

i see you are using bamboo, a good idea for preventing ladders. sometimes it takes a start or two to get it right, i'm sure you'll get it now. stitch markers, counters, paper and pencil, they all help to keep your place, what ever works for you.

if you ever want to give me a call...
:)

Lori ann said...

not as a student of course ;)

kj said...

call her, mim. she has the best gentle helpful voice.

i commend you, A for effort. that counts more than the sleeves.

love love
kj

Teri said...

I commend you for your bravery!!!!
Time to call for help!!!
LOL

~Babs said...

Oh lord, I was sweating bullets just reading about what all goes into knitting!

And that wonderful sweater has SHORT sleeves. Just imagine if they were LONG!

Oh,,,how I bow in honor of all you who knit, It sure ain't for me.

Anne said...

Beautiful! Lovely blog! I have just discovered you, and I'm a new follower!
Best,
Anne ♥

yoborobo said...

Lori IS the Yoda of Knitting (YOK for short). Just looking at those needles and thinking of keeping track of anything besides my name right now (is it Pam?) gives me pause. You go, girl! You show that knitting who is boss! xox

yoborobo said...

Lori IS the Yoda of Knitting (YOK for short). Just looking at those needles and thinking of keeping track of anything besides my name right now (is it Pam?) gives me pause. You go, girl! You show that knitting who is boss! xox

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Mim, just get some small circular needles for the sleeves, as it will be easier and you'll only have to knit the cuffs with DPs.
I do all my hats on a small circular (goes a lot faster) then finish the tops with the DPs.
My hands like me better too!
And heck yes, why NOT teach yourself? That was how I learned after my poor mother TRIED to teach me....but her experience was from the 1940's and she had not knit since.... ((O_○))
hahahaha!

XXOO~~
Anne

Lisa at Greenbow said...

YOU are the boss. Those needles are just unruly employees. You will get it. I have great faith in your efforts.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

I have to commend you for getting as far as you have without lessons. I tried knitting.. just doing scarves and wanted to throw the needles and yarn out the window, stomp on it and light it on fire.... I guess it not my cup of tea, so to speak, for relaxing. :))
But look how far you have gotten. Bravo.

Robin said...

Although I am not a knitter....
I am so in awe of you! You are a true Renaissance Woman! I have no doubt whatsoever that you will master this! (And of course, having Lori in case of *emergency* is perfect!)

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

Lynn Cohen said...

Okay I am not laughing AT you just relating to these sorts of "problemo's" of knitting. As soon as I saw those double pointed needles I thought HuH? She calls THIS easy?
I did finally master using them on a few hats this past winter...however, it's not EASY!!! But good luck from another SELF TAUGHT knitter.
I still rely heavily on Knit Help.com on line. Just so you know.

studio lolo said...

Ladders???

Oh my, I don't think I could ever knit anything. I can paint the sweater for you if you'd like! I mean, paint a picture of it :)

You can do it Mim!

xo
Lo♥

marianne said...

It is all like abracadabra to me!
Lucky you have Lori as your guide in difficult times :)
You can do it I just know!

sukipoet said...

bravo to you for plunging in. i am sort of stalled on the back panel of my first sweater (I hope I can remember or figure out what the next row requires.) and have not yet tackled the sleeves. gulp.

Katiejane said...

Sheesh! Even simplified this is way too complicated for me! Good luck with that!

Amanda Summer said...

haha - this is so cute, mim. i admire your determination and there is no better teacher of knitting than lori so you are in good hands!

p.s. your mention of the phrase ' you aren't the boss of me' brings back memories - my daughter used to say it all the time when she was a child! ;-)