Oh no - the knitting funk has well and truly struck in your household! I prescribe getting your hair done (great idea) and going out for a long walk with the boys and not even thinking about knitting. Before you know it I think you'll be back in your usual superproductive mode and knitting away at warp speed. Try and enjoy the break!

You crack me up. I suggest buying some cute summer hats instead. After seeing Kimberly's attempt at a cotton bucket (and she's a great knitter), I have no desire to try one. I bought the cutest peach and pink bucket at Osh Kosh for Liv. Too bad they don't sell adult sizes there. We forgot to plan a playground meet-up. The kids are all home this week and in various activities. Maybe next week if the good weather holds? And start a NEW project today, would ya?

oh lordie. sounds like some knittin tragedy going on over there!

I've had knitting troubles at my house too.

The Cotton Stria bucket seems to have worked better this time though. It's blocking. I went down two needle sizes from those I started with. Not sure what the new gauge is but the hat is blocking as we speak. I'll have pics and a fullr eport tomorrow. The brim still seems a little floppy but I think that's the softness of the yarn.

Hang in there!

I'm sending you some good knitting vibes! I hope it gets better.

Alison, go get your hair done, that is never a bad idea, maybe a pedicure as well, as your toes will soon be peeking out and what can be wrong with the world when your toes are polished and pampered. Suddenly, you will have inspiration and motivation and your knitting blues will be gone.

BTW, we'd love to meet you at the Needham playground sometime, we were there last week after a trip to the button shop.

i was having one of those weeks last week! but things are looking up knit-wise at my house, and i know it'll get better up there too! ~*~posi knitting vibes~*~ haha

Phooey, is right! Danged knitting! Making you all stressed out! Doesn't it know that it's purpose is happiness? GEEZ...
Yes, get your hair done. Then you can...ahem...
"Wash that knitting right out of your hair....."
sorry for that.
S.

I vote for washing those knitting blues right out of your hair! Go get a thorough pampering, then come home and start a NEW project. Let those other projects "rest" for a bit, then you can return to them fresh and raring to go...or ready to rip.

don't let it get you down. looks like a few of us are going thru this now for some reason. i started a new project yesterday. did a gauge swatch. knit for about 3 hours and realized it looked big. measured - 3" too big! and that was only for the back.

for the summer tweed - what about trying a different yarn for the crochet? since the tweed is variegated you might get lucky and find something that matches well enough.

good luck!

I can relate! I had a not-so-good knitting week also, mostly because I didn't have time to knit. And that was in part because... yes... my furnace broke too! Was there something in the air last week, or was it no-heat-moon-phase? Two days lost calling around trying to get it fixed. Sometimes things are like that, but with your expertise I am sure all your knits will come bouncing back soon better than ever.

I definately think you should consult the Zodiac, If this doesn't work look for prophetic homeless folks who seem to have a direct connection to the ether. This may shed light of the blockages you face. Then you should make a good hot cuppa and stare into space for a while. Hope this helps.

oh no! it sounds to me like it's time to take up spinning--it's great to fall back on during knitting slumps :)

Hi Alison: I haven't commented before, but I read your blog regularly. I love watching beautiful items fly off your needles (well, usually). I agree with Jody's idea of using a different (maybe finer) yarn for seaming the summer tweed. I might look less ungainly. Also, you could try doing top down short row sleeves for your cap sleeved top. You'd still have to do the math, but it might be easier to get a good look. Melinda shows how it's done here: www.purlwise.com/short_rows/index.html. Good luck!

Thanks, Alicia. I'm already scouring my stash for some nice complementary yarn to try the crochet seams with. Good idea, Jody! And my cap sleeves will be done with short rows. I've just been struggling with the numbers the whole time - how big of an armhole, how many short rows, how long to make the short rows, blah, blah, blah. I'll get the right balance eventually.

And thanks for the good vibes, everyone! It's a holiday here in Massachusetts, we've got beautiful weather (for a day at least) and we're off to watch the marathon. So things are looking up!

New Project New Project!!!! after a trip to the hair dresser of course :) and you're favorite treat to top it off!!
I share your pain though! my plan ... go hat shopping! forget the bucket! get past it :)
Big Hugs to you!

I could only do ~2 rows on the brim of my bottoms up bucket in a day because of the same issues you mentioned. The size turned out just fine for me, and I love it now that it is done, but it took me an entire week to do. I'm thinking of trying it again, but using a blend instead of 100% cotton and seeing if that doesn't improve it a bit.

Perhaps when Mercury is out of retrograde your knitting will take a turn for the better? Good luck!

LOL
This is what I got:
"In this case, each kernel control path refers to its own private kernel stack."
from "Understanding the LINUX Kernel"
Really inspiring, LOL!
Sorry you're in a slump- I kind of feel that way- I feel the need for a big project badly (socks and gloves just don't cut it).

It's a plague. It's happening here too. There are a couple of fixes to consider.
1. Burn a project under the full moon while reading aloud from "The Principles of Knitting", bury the ashes under a hundred year old oak, along with one of a set of 4 DPNs
2. Take to strong drink. (This doesn't necessarily fix the plague, but at least you won't care.)
3. Spend at least $200. on yarn in one trip.

Good luck.

Ugh, I hate when nothing seems to go right, especially with sewing projects that once cut, can't be fixed. >:-|

From "This Year it Will Be Different" by Maeve Binchy:

If only she had some money.

Somehow, that fits in real well with the knitting world, don't you think?

o I thought it was just me! all my projects are acting up! I can't find a stitch pattern I like with the linen drape - any suggestions? I'm thinking about garter stitch on thick and thin needles - or maybe a large crocheted bag on a large hook so I can line it with some contrasting fabric. Annhb

Hey Kristi, glad to hear about your bucket hat. I see that you used the same yarn and it came out great! For anyone else in bucket blues, check out the comments to yesterday's post, Bonne Marie was kind enough to post a few tips for improving our hats. Thanks Bonne Marie!

Stephanie, you always crack me up! :)

Good one, Karen!

Ann, I like the crochet idea for the Linen Drape. I know that Erika Knight's Simple Crochet book calls for Linen Drape in several patterns, so I bet it would work up great for a bag! That would be cool. I'm even tempted to give that a try myself. Let me know if you come up with a good pattern, okay?

UGh I'm so sorry! I have totally BTDT. I have found that the best thing to do is go with your gut instinct and pick up the first thing that inspires you. Something old, new whatever. kinda like when you're feet hurt and you're skating, you have to keep skating 'or else!' Hang in there, it's all part of the process I guess. Soon you'll be on a knitting *up* before you know it. :)

I like Leigh's idea of learning to spin! I would start a new quick project in a bright color (but one that you do usually don't go for).

Rest in peace, Spaulding Gray.

I am posting to distract myself from my own knitting blues. I can really relate to your recent troubles. April is the cruellest month. I'm a teacher and nothing is more tortuous than the last few weeks of school...like the last few miles of a marathon. I've tons of papers and assignments left to grade and yet, and yet, Elfin to finish and a bucket hat to knit (!!)--also painful on the fingers for me--and an Audrey for to swatch. So much yarn and so little time. I've even forbidden my husband to hook the tv back up after moving it to a new spot. No tv, no knitting, until major productivity takes shape. I have to get strict on myself before it gets ugly.

Apparently these habits have been supplanted by two of my other favorites--hours of internet surfing and food. Go me.