Thursday, July 7, 2016

Two finishes, one utter fail...........




I have completed my latest knitting project, Jessie's Girl and it is a complete and utter fail.  I was warned it might be too big so I made the small. What I did not anticipate was my pathetic ability to do short rows and a three needle bind off.  I absolutely massacred this sweater.  The shoulders look horrendous and I should be better at all of this by now.  I have short rowed before, although I have to admit I try to shy away from them.  I have three needle binded off before but never with this poor of a result.  Believe me when I say I am to embarrassed to show you it up close, I do have my pride after all.  This sweater is not ever going to be worn, no way, no how.  It is going in the Goodwill bag in hopes someone might want to frog it for the yarn.  Me, I am not even interested in that.  This yarn was left over from a baby blanket I made a year ago, so it wasn't like I wasted a lot of money on this project, just a lot of time.  The pattern was fine, the directions great, the yarn soft and lovely, the failure is all mine.  Oh well live and learn and never take knitting to seriously.

In case you are remotely interested this was made with Berroco Modern Cotton, four skeins, and size 7 needles. 



Another finish, but a very boring one by this point.  Number 7 Hitchhiker is officially off the needles.  If you think you have seen this before you are right.  This is my second in this colorway from Cascade Yarns Tangier.  I used size 9 needles and approximately 320 yards of yarn.  This went right into the Christmas present bin for one of Little Buddy's therapists.   One more to go of these and those presents will be completed.  I don't have the stamina to cast on another one right this minute.  I love the pattern but after seven of them I am about over the whole thing.

So that is it.  I find myself at a bit of a crossroads right now.  I do not have another project picked out and I cannot finish my Flaum until the Olympics start.  I look at this sweater everyday and tell myself I can't start working on it hoping that this will give me the incentive to finish it when I actually can work on it.  Maybe reverse psychology will work in my favor for a knitting finish.  What are you working on these days?

30 comments:

kathy b said...

I think you are too hard on yourself. JESSIE is amazing > I LOVE her. Three needle bind off can be tricky.
I HATE short row shaping.

Im kind of working on a gift pair of yoga socks for a friend of Zach's. Im half done.

I am casting on my second Christmas Stocking. Cant wait. GOt my new plastic needles today!

So hot out. Fireman and I swam at our local pool. Perhaps the last time before we move! It was refreshing and we were glad we went to swim.

Jennifer Hays said...

I'm sorry about your sweater, Meredith. I think it looks pretty good but I'm not a knitter so I don't really know, and of course the most important thing is how you feel about it. Your shawl is very pretty and will be a lovely gift for the therapist. I know how you feel about being at loose ends with projects. I'm almost done with my latest cross-stitch and have just started a stashbusting throw. The stitching is really fun and I'll be sad to finish it, but the throw is not exciting at all. I will probably start a new stitching project when I'm done with this one and will have to prod myself to work on the throw a little now and then. It will feel good to make it, when all is said and done, though crochet has not been my best pal lately. :)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Meredith I admire anything you make! I have no talent for needle crafts at all. I hope you find a project that makes you happy soon. I'm trying to read a lot and rest right now.
hugs,
Linda

Amy at love made my home said...

Sorry to hear about the fail. So very frustrating for you! I hope someone else will make use of the yarn. Yay for the two wins though! Both are gorgeous and will be greatly loved I am sure! I am so far behind on finishing anything right now, I wish I could just finish one thing! xx

Judy S. said...

Sorry you aren't happy with the sweater, but it looks fine! Somehow it looks to me like that pattern runs large. Love the shawl! What a nice gift.

Anonymous said...

That Hitchhiker is amazing! Those colors are gorgeous! It reminds me of the fall leaves we saw in Tennessee.

As for the other one....................bye bye to unhappy knits. Someone will just love it ..if not for the pattern, then for the yarn.

Karen said...

I know how it feels to put so much time and effort into something and then be disappointed with the results. Argh! I like your psychology on waiting on your project for the Olympics! I have decided that knitting/crochet is a fall/winter activity for me. I have been reading a lot and working in the yard. That's about it!

CJ said...

I've never made anything wearable (except scarves) so I feel your pain. I'm working up to trying something else. In my knitting bag at the moment is a simple scarf. I think it might be too big though, and the yarn will probably be itchy so maybe I won't even be wearing that. I'll get the hang of it one day. CJ xx

Betsy said...

There are NO knitting police! I heard this again recently and I needed the reminder. I think Jesse is very nice. I think short rows and the three needle bind off can be very tricky and depending on the yarn, sometimes I get good results and sometimes not. :-). As always, your hitchhiker is great. I've still never made one. Can you believe that? Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. You are one of the very best reasons I keep blogging. Love you Meredith!
Blessings,
Betsy

Araignee said...

I've got a closet full of massacred sweaters. I have no talent at all for shaping or fitting.
Love the Hitchhiker. It's the second one I've seen today in blogland. Maybe it's a sign I need one.

Pam said...

I knitted a sweater 2 years ago and hated it the moment the last join was finished. It lived in a bag under the bed for ages then went in the recycle bag. I could not bare to look at it never mind frog it out. I am on a sock frenzy at the moment. Lots of quick finishes while I wait for the Moroccan Tile blanket kit from my wool shop. I still have buttons to add to the latest cardigan and the wool for 2 more. I have never used a 3 needle bind off, I do crochet some seams together and learnt the invisible join method last Tuesday.

Nance said...

Someone will wear that sweater and wonder why it ever got donated; I just know it.

I'm locked into Kid Knitting right now. One niece just had her baby, so I made a pair of teddy bear hand puppets for a Big Brother gift, and the other niece is due shortly, so I just finished up another set of puppets for the Big Sister and am finishing off a little teddy bear for the toddler "Big Brother" as well.

As a therapeutic knitter (to ease arthritis), I'm still more of a beginner. No threat of me ruining sweaters because I don't see myself trying them anytime soon.

AnnieOBTextiles said...

Jessie's Girl looks great in your photos but sometimes we only see the faults in our work and cannot get beyond that. I'm sure whoever picks it up from Goodwill will love it and wear it with pride so all your hard work will not be in vain. I love the colour of your hitchhiker. I have got a pinky/purple one on my needles at the moment.

mamasmercantile said...

I have just finished a crochet top for myself that was too small, I then did it up again and it was too big. I have given up with it now it is languishing in a bag in the craft room.

Mac n' Janet said...

Very pretty shawl, I've thought of making one, but I don't wear them and I don't know anyone who does. As to mistakes, you sound like my husband who paints. In his work he only sees his errors, where others see how good the whole is.

Lynne said...

Gosh all that time spent, but you probably got some short row practice anyway! I think it's pretty, even if it doesn't fit you. As usual, your hitchhiker scarf is beautiful.

Ingrid K. said...

Hello Mere,

I commiserate with you. I understand that it is frustrating when things do not turn out how you expected it. You are not the only one, it happens to all of us. But what we must not forget is this: whatever we make, it helps us to learn things. It is all a question of practice, the more you do something, the better you will get at it. If there are some things that you find too frustrating, then it is also ok to say, ok, I will do it my own way. Things do not have to be perfect, you just have to like them and accept them. And if you do not, then that is also ok!

I love your hitchhiker shawl!

Enjoy your weekend and just relax!
Hugs!!
Ingrid xx
Myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh dear.. sorry you're not happy with your sweater but to me it's a masterpiece.. perhaps you could do a giveaway on your blog and some lucky person could win it? I also like your new HH.. you are so fast.. my poor old HH is still on the needles. But I think your work is fabooooo! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Christina said...

My drawers are full of failures that look a lot worse than your sweater! I have started knitting the Polaris jumper (it is on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/polaris-7), an amazing jumper pattern that you might like. It does use short rows for shaping of the front unfortunately but you might like the look of the pattern just enough to give short rows another go. I love short rows, I am always astonished how much shaping can be achieved with a simple wrap and turn. Have a wonderful weekend. x

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I'm not a knitter. And have never made anything to wear other than scarves and shawls. So your knitted top looks pretty darn good to me. I'm sure someone will be happy to actually get it, not for the yarn, but to wear. The hitchhiker is gorgeous. Wonderful color.

Danette Bartelmay said...

Actually Meredith that sweater is not as bad as you think, really.
I know exactly how you feel thought... been there.
I wish we lived close. I would take those shoulders out for you and redo that 3 needle bind off and Voila'... That's the only thing I see than needs doing. It really is fixable. The sweater is beautiful.
Your Hitchhiker Number 7 is gorgeous too. I'm not tired of seeing them in the least. They turn out so perfect every single time you make them!
I know what it's like to get things off the needles and suddenly go ...
"Uhh... what next...????"
Have a beautiful weekend with our Sweet Little Buddy,
Danette

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

I like your sweater! I'm piecing together a crochet cardigan which I've just finished but I'm unhappy with one of the rams, ah well come hell or high water Ii shall be wearing it to lunch on Monday. I'm planning to cast on another hitchiker and a jumper this week xx

Gracie Saylor said...

Well now...I am sorry you are not happy with Jessie's Girl. If your weather ever gets cool enough I would suggest you wear JG as a layer under a sweater of jacket that you do like and which would hide the imperfections that I can not see and you can see...but since you live in the sunshine state that hardly knows what layered outfits are, I won't suggest that :) It is very generous of you to give it away, Meredith.

I love your latest Hitchhiker scarf and continue to admire not only your skill but your speed!

Mostly just on Wednesday mornings I am working on another preemie crocheted blanket and am about half way through. This morning I finished 34 crocheted napkin rings for the wedding dinner tonight, but I am not sure we are going to use them.

Wishing you and yours a happy weekend and sending you hugs xxxxxxxxx

linda said...

You are far too hard on yourself Meredith it looks fine to me and whoever does get this in the end will be happy to wear it never mind frog it! The hitchhiker is beautiful and will make a lovely gift. I'm at a bit of a crossroads myself sort of excited to start a project and then when I do I'm sick of it almost immediately I think I'm going to give myself a bit of a break and hope that my mojo will return very soon. Have a great week. :) xx

gigi knits said...

We all have those knitting "What Was I Thinkng" priojects. I just finished one yesterday.
And wouldn't you know it was with a VERY expensive yarn.
I had to buy the Hitchhicker pattern . I enjoyed the first one I have started second one .

Toni said...

Dang! I hate it when a knitting project doesn't work. There's so much work involved. Ugh. I have two sweaters waiting to be frogged. I love the yarn, but hate the results, so I am actually going to rip them out and start over, but ugh.

Suzan said...

Beautiful short sleeve sweater/vest. I don't see it as a failed project????? Love the colors and style!!!
Great colors in your hitchhiker!!

Jo said...

I have been having trouble loading up your comment window so sorry I have not been around, but I have been avidly reading. Oh dear, please don't wear that sweater! We have all been there, move on! Of course I love the scarf and am just getting near casting on my second one. Jo x

Unknown said...

I know far too well about projects who don't turn out the way they should - frogging one right now! Ugh! I love this Hitchhiker btw, great shades! xx

Jodiebodie said...

I'm sorry that you are disappointed with Jessie's Girl. I still admire you for choosing a pattern that has challenges like short rows and 3 needle bind-offs and then determinedly working to make it right. After all that work, it is a shame that the result is unsatisfactory for you.

I agree with Ingrid's comments - don't think of the project as a 'fail' or waste of your time. There are lessons to be learned.

Also, sometimes mistakes and unexpected results can lead us to something unique and better. If the top fits and you are only unhappy with the look of the shoulders, can you embellish the shoulders in some way to disguise the stitches that you don't like looking at? The project may be salvageable after all.

I suppose you are sick of looking at that yarn after working with it 3 times over. Your feelings of just getting rid of it asap are understandable but don't feel bad about your knitting - it's a learning curve and you had the courage to challenge yourself (you would be surprised at how many people do not have that).

Sell done to both your Jessie's Girl and Hitchhiker. Flaum looks interesting, especially the Ravelry notes in Japanese. You are waiting until the Olympics start - does that mean it is a 'Ravellenic' project? ;-)

Keep up the interesting projects, Meredith! xx