the blue blog archives: either I'm getting older or I'm getting wiser

Because for the first time in the whole history of my knitting career, I'm actually able to keep track of my rows and increases/decreases while working on a project.

Whether it's because the little gray cells don't work as well as they used to or because they've finally kicked in, I can't say, but I have been a paragon of organization while working on this buttercup baby jacket. Although I've always told my students to keep track of things with a row counter or piece of paper and pencil, I've also had to admit to them that I have never found myself capable of taking my own advice. I've always been too stupid to use a row counter, never remembering if I was clicking at the beginning of a row or after it, if I'd just clicked or not, or if I'd just clicked twice to make up for a row I'd forgotten or in anticipation of the one I was just about to do. Aaaaah! I would end up having to count rows on the actual garment anyway, so I saved myself the extra work of maintaining some sort of count, which in the end had very little chance of being right. But those days are over. I can count! I can crochet! I can do anything!

posted by alison at 3:37 pm | in buttercup baby

Comments

Oh yeeesssssss, I know what you mean. I try to make a decision at the beginning of a project about when to change the counter (usually after a row is finished) and then stick with it. As long as I am working rows and not rounds this usually works fine because the odds or evens will tell me if I remembered to click on the last row. Rounds? All bets are off.

Posted by: Carla at March 11, 2009 3:46 PM

A common problem I think. I solved it sort of by getting a knitting bracelet - worked really well - until I misplaced it (not only it but the entire bag with stitch markers, stitch holders, etc). So now I'm back to my stroke tally on the pattern method.

Posted by: Donna at March 11, 2009 4:13 PM

You're getting wiser, Missy. I'm older than dirt and no smarter.

Posted by: Dava at March 11, 2009 5:17 PM

Knitting bracelet?! What is this marvelous thing? Is it a counter like the little things we slip onto a needle and turn to show the next number in the little window? If so, I want one and I want to know where to get one. Anyone? Donna, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your notions bag. I would be completely helpless without mine. I'm in it every day, even when I'm not knitting. It's also my sewing kit and where I keep my emergency pen!

Posted by: Libby H at March 11, 2009 7:26 PM

I'm fairly certain if I didn't use a row counter, my head would just explode.

Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) at March 11, 2009 7:54 PM

Maybe it was the uncertainty of the crochet part that caused your brain to reflexively seek help in the form of counting? Personally? I write at the top of my sticky note "Rows finished" before the hash marks start otherwise.... well, who knows?

Posted by: Robby at March 11, 2009 11:41 PM

I would say it is also the influence of a couple of children - when I am interrupted mid row for a "mommy come now its an emergancy" I tend to forget where I was, so writing things out helps!

Posted by: Cheryl at work at March 12, 2009 9:59 AM

Forget the United Nations, I nominate you for the dean of MIT. Knitting allows us to learn new skills that project us far above the average citizen. You rule!

Posted by: Angie at March 12, 2009 12:21 PM

I almost always use a sheet of paper with tick marks, especially for things like the heel flap area. It works well for me, except when I lose the piece of paper. Thankfully I can read my knitting well enough to figure out what decrease row or what not I'm on.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at March 12, 2009 12:55 PM

Oh yes, Seanna Lea, losing the paper has been my biggest fear! ;0)

Posted by: ALISON at March 12, 2009 1:03 PM

Well, you ARE supposed to get wiser as you get older but the only problem is that the memory gets worse!

Love that little Buttercup sweater.

Posted by: Rebecca in CO at March 12, 2009 2:41 PM

Most of the time, i just use stitch markers -- no row counters for me.

But if i have to make notes before I park the project aside, then pencil works best for me.

Posted by: emy at March 16, 2009 2:24 AM

I so agree about not being able to use a clicker, especially the 'Now, did I just click that?' bit. I have been known to make a long loop with a series of knots in it and I find that works pretty well.

Such a cute top.

Posted by: Helen at March 17, 2009 6:59 AM

I know what you mean, I'm not able to follow patterns at all because I can't count!! I tried several times to keep track (with paper & pencil) but I tend to forget about it... I thin I should stop crocheting while I watch tv... :D

Posted by: LaWood at March 22, 2009 10:38 AM