the blue blog archives: the bored and the restless

I made some good progress yesterday on the wannabe sweater. I'm almost up to the point where the stripes start. I've lengthened the sweater a little bit and am also doing a larger size, since I'm substituting regular old mercerized cotton for the strechy lycra cotton called for in the pattern. I was worried that at my regular size, instead of forming itself to my body like the lycra would, it would just look too small. I did add a couple of increases and decreases to make some very subtle waist shaping. It's not lycra, but I can try!

Although I got quite a bit done, I spent every second of it thinking about other projects. I'm really feeling at sea here about what I should work on. This sweater is just not inspiring me. I should be starting the boys' summer sweaters, but as I mentioned yesterday I can't get motivated for them either (they're at an even smaller gauge than the cotton glace for the wannabe sweater!). I could make the blanket coat I've been dreaming about, but that requires 22 balls of all seasons cotton (or more likely, 11 balls of Cotton Ease). Or I could try to make something of the lovely Pingouin yarn that Kerstin brought me, but what? And I should be sewing anyway, as I've got old projects there waiting to be finished. I fear I'm in some sort of knitting funk. All those tanks have either spoiled or exhausted me. Blah.

posted by alison at 7:37 am | in wannabe

Comments

My current project is not inspiring me either. It's more chalenging to knit than the tanks so I shouldn't find it boring but I am. It might be because it's on smaller needles 4mm as opposed to 5mm. Hopefully my yarn for Smooch will arrive on Thursday and I can put the Pinup Pullover to one side and get on with some quick gratification.

Posted by: Linda at June 3, 2003 7:15 AM

Knitting should always be fun--do what you really want to do. Maybe once you get the blanket coat made and out of your system, you will want to make the boys' sweaters. And if not, trade or sell the yarn on ebay and enjoy every minute of it!

You've made a lot of progress on the wannabee sweater--I've very impressed. The color is beautiful and I can't wait to see what color you paired with it.

Posted by: Leigh at June 3, 2003 8:41 AM

You need to start designing from scratch. That's the next step for you, missy. Get crackin'. The world needs some sexy knits. We're looking to you to make it happen.

Posted by: Kerstin at June 3, 2003 11:37 AM

You need a knit pick me up! Go and do something else for the day or afternoon. Do not touch, look or think about knitting. Take the kids to the park-sitting there without knitting in your hands will make you foam at the mouth to get home and pick it up again!

Posted by: Chris at June 3, 2003 12:30 PM

Do you still like the pattern? If so, see if you think it's appropriate to push on with it a bit more or take a break from the project & do something else for a while...or make a list with pros & cons & stuff like that to decide what to do next...

hope this helps!

Jessica (who's fussing over which yarn to make a tank with, ANY tank top!)

Posted by: Jessica at June 3, 2003 1:59 PM

Maybe try something totally different. When I started the Koigu it really made knitting way more fun again.

Posted by: kathy at June 3, 2003 2:29 PM

I go with the "put it down & play with something else" school.
Last night, for some reason, the idea of a cable needle wasn't thrilling me, so:
out came an old lace project. I wasn't happy with it's progress & look. Actually ripped out all 60 rows on 2mm needles & started again on 2.75mm. I did over 21 rows, it looks great & I'll play with it till the interest wanes again.
Unless, you have a time frame, pick & play as the mood suits. Maybe you have decided a week of no knitting will be right - that's OK too. Always be happy with the craft, otherwise it looks crap. (I speak from experience)

Posted by: peter at June 3, 2003 6:43 PM

Well, alison, I have no knitting advice for you. It is spring, and with the weather we have been having, no wonder you are feeling restless. Spring fever! I just pass on to you, a knitted hug. In the shape of a sexy little tank, of course, but a hug nonetheless. :)
Sandy

Posted by: Sandy at June 3, 2003 7:26 PM

I understand that feeling, BUT, if you take some time off it is all good. Usually. One of my problems is that I have so many projects going that I have sensory overload. I want to knit on them all. So I always have three projects that I am working on and spend a little time each day on each one! Even if it is just a few rows. Then I have this great sense of accomplishment!

Posted by: Morgan at June 3, 2003 8:07 PM

I'm going to add a bit of length to my becky top as well (probably one to two inches in the body, and an inch or so to the sleeves), as the last phildar pattern I followed ended up with the sleeves being a little short and the body being shorter that I had hoped for (but in all fairness, I am a fair amount taller than your average french chica, so I guess that may have been the problem).

I think you're missing out on something by not using the Falaise yarn though. I love, love, love this yarn. it reminds me so much of terrycloth, and is going to be the cosiest top ever :)

Posted by: kim at June 4, 2003 3:03 AM