I'm happy to join Kat and fellow Unravelers for Unraveled Wednesday, with more Cloud Cover. There was a black cloud hovering over my knitting this week, and I had one of my worst knitting days ever last weekend.
I was knitting along happily when I decided to count my stitches. I found that I was one stitch off someplace, but despite my best efforts, I couldn't figure out whether I had done an extra increase or forgotten to do one for the raglan sleeves. I figured one stitch wouldn't really matter that much and I could just add an extra one where it seemed to be missing, but since I've only knit one other sweater, I didn't know what I didn't know. And it bothered me - a lot. Enough that I decided to tink back and do it right. I ended up spending Saturday afternoon tinking back 42 rows before I got back on track. It wasn't the end of the world, and it was also a good reminder to count my stitches regularly, but it was still one of the worst afternoons I've spent knitting (or unknitting) in a long time. But all is well now in sweater world, and I'll soon be separating the body and sleeve stitches (provided I don't knit most of the yoke again for the third time).
Reading has consisted of much of the same as last week. I'm still listening to Wolf Hall (it's good but long), so for something different, I re-listened to Hamnet. It was just as good as I remembered, and maybe even better.
What are you making and reading this week?
Oh, ugh. That's a lot to rip back. But . . . it's what I'd have done, too. That blue looks just incredible nestled among the leaves, Bonny. What a great color for you! And I loved Wolf Hall. But it is VERY long. Enjoy! (I'm going to pick up Signal Fires from my library today! I'm so excited to read it over the weekend.) OX
ReplyDeleteFew things are as disheartening as having to rip back, but I think you did the right thing -- if it was bothering you now, it was going to continue to bother you, so better to rip and do it right than have it nag at you.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to finish the second sock of a pair (I'm at the heel) and also trying to finish Braiding Sweetgrass.
Oh ugh, Bonny. That is miles to rip back! I am nodding with Kym... I would have done the same thing... and grumbled every second. It looks so awesome nestled in those glorious leaves though!
ReplyDeleteI just started George Saunders Liberation Day. One short story in and he already has me thinking! I am on the waitlist for Signal Fires. (and I just got a new book - Maureen by Rachel Joyce - from Netgalley that I am eager to get into!)
Oh geeze! I would have tipped back too...and been miserable while doing so. Wishing you smooth sailing (and the right number of stitches) moving forward. Kym and Kat remind me to put Signal Fires on my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteI have done that and I have ripped OR added, it all depends. I think you were right to rip - twice the knitting fun!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am odd woman out, I guess, it doesn't bother me a lot to just add a stitch unless it is on the center front of a sweater. I have done it a few times, and it was very hard to find that added stitch. However, if it drives you crazy, then it will certainly continue to do so until you have it like you want it. I think this sweater is going to be eminently useful.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know what I would do... um, oh yeah, I think I do... That would land in TIME OUT and find its place with all my other time-out projects (mostly lace shawls) that have mysteriously lost or gained a stitch, or have possibly just lost my interest. haha. At least for a while. Glad you're back on track! I am listening to George Saunders' A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, and LOVING it. I've been talking it up so much that Rusty's borrowed it from the library.
ReplyDeleteAs hard as it is to undo all that work, it was probably the right thing to do. I know I'd think about that one wrong stitch until the end of time.
ReplyDeleteThat is a LOT of ripping back and it must have felt really frustrating. Definitely worth it, though, to get it right. I think your sweater looks fabulous against those yellow leaves!
ReplyDeleteOh so annoying when you have to rip rows back and end up less far forward than when you started! Its a glorious colour though. I read Hamnet but didn't really enjoy it, I didn't hate it, just thought it was a bit meh! I'm currently crocheting pigs in blankets - on my blog soon - and am reading The Herd by Emily Edwards.
ReplyDeleteI am a Grade A Ripper of knits. Did you actually tink back the entire 42 rows (ouch!)? or pull out the needle and rip? My two methods (only used on stockinette or maybe garter stitch): I tink two rows/rounds at a time. Looking at the back side of the knitting, put the right needle tip into the stitch down 2 rows. Rinse and repeat. You will have two lengths of yarn freed up until you get back to where you started, then just one. I have actually tinked 3 rows at a time, but do not recommend it. Method 2: use this when I have to rip back more than about 5 rows. Put a locking stitch marker in the row to which I need to rip back. Pull out the needle and rip away! When I reach the stitch marker, I use a significantly smaller gauge needle -- at least 3 sizes smaller -- to pick up the stitches all the way around. I don't try to pick up the stitches so they are all facing the right way, just get them on the needle and fix them when I knit the first round.
ReplyDeleteAll that being said, I love the color you are using!
Oh boy. That is a lot of unknitting and reknitting. It had to be frustrating. Often when I try to fudge a stitch or two, I knit on a few more rows knowing the best thing is to rip it all out. Usually I do just that. The sweater is a pretty color of blue. I hope it's smooth sailing from here on out.
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