Thursday, May 10, 2007

Knitting mojo

It's bad people. Really bad! I've noticed that it's been a little slow around knit blog land lately so perhaps it's not just me. Between chasing around the little guy and the little little guy and the amazing weekend weather we've had lately, there's been little knitting happening around these parts. And it seems that everytime I actually get to sit down to knit something, disaster strikes. My knitting is so not happening. See what I mean?


Here's a little tour of my knitting hall of shame. First up, the really cute ball from Fiona McTeague's knitted toys book. You'll remember that I tried to 'improve' on the pattern by knitting it in intarsia. Well that was a disaster. First off it was a pain to knit and when it was all done the 'joins' were too loose and the stuffing showed through. So I tried to tighten'em up by seaming from the inside. That made a mess on the outside. I cursed. A lot. And threw the whole thing out. I don't want to spend my knitting time trying to fix a project I don't love. Right? (Though looking at the picture now it doesn't look all that bad...perhaps I was too quick to discard it...)


Next up. A knitted monkey (also from Fiona's book). The pattern is simple enough and it is looking cute...except that I ran out of yarn! I knit him up using leftover Debbie Bliss Cashmerino in brown leftover from my Olympic cardigan and didn't have enough yarn for the legs and tail. Not good. I'm not sure I want to go through the trouble of hunting down an extra ball of the stuff (unless of course any of you have an extra part ball of it laying around?) so I think this one is gonna have to remain unstuffed for some time. Plus I sewed his face on crooked and it bugs me. I'll have to fix it but since I don't have the yarn to finish it anyway it's going back in the knitting closet for now.

Next up, lemondrop's cardi. I finished both hoods and joined them together with an applied i-cord (cool, eh?) but after I picked up around the hood and started knitting it as I had planned (again 'improving' on the pattern) things didn't work out and I just can't give it enough attention to figure out where I went wrong. I think I'll just have to follow the pattern afterall...and fast too so that Logan can get to wear it before he outgrows it ;0)


What else? Oh, well there's Stephen's anniversary sweater which still needs a sleeve and a half. And a felted puppet I tried to wing but which was uncomfortable to use so I started ripping it out already. I also cast on for a broadripple sock but it's too big so I'll have to rethink that one too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I seem to have lost my knitting mojo and need a fool proof project soon before I fall deeper into a knitting funk. Perhaps the bunny ear hat from 'Itty bitty hats' will do it for me...


Happy knitting ;0)

16 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:16 p.m.

    I hope plain stockinette reassures the knitting gods. I'm sending positive knitting mojo your way!

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  2. How about a warshrag? No fail! Good luck.

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  3. It's a sad thing to lose one's knitting mojo. You need to knit something that will finish quickly! That should do the trick. :)

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  4. One word: washcloth. Not that I've ever done one, but since it's basically just a swatch, how can you go wrong?

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  5. we all get in a funk every now and then! :)

    hope the bunny ear helps!

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  6. Aww, I hope that you find something soon! I feel like I'm in the same boat -- no time to knit even if I had the energy! It'll get easier with time.

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  7. We all have days and weeks like that. I find that knitting something small satisfies the need to finish it quickly, and since you have two wee ones, that should be a great motivator. Dont you just love the Itty Bitty hat book, just so cute and adorable. I love the monkey too, so I hope someone has an extra ball in the color that you need. Good luck with it all. By the way, the toy ball looks wonderful just the way it is.

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  8. Anonymous11:22 p.m.

    I recently had one of those 'no mojo' knitting times! It took several weeks, but I'm back to the good knitting again.
    Here's good thoughts sent your way for the mojo to return soon!

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  9. Anonymous11:24 a.m.

    I LOVE that ball! I need to make one for Zack ... off to try and find a pattern online. The colors you chose are great.

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  10. Get out all those partial balls and knit a little striped blanket with garter stitch edge and stockinette in the middle. When one color ends just add the next and continue. Mindless knit to use up leftovers. Pick it up whenever you've got a few minutes but nothing to keep track off mentally. When your mojo is back or when it's big enough, or you're bored with it, bind off and give it to the wee one for a nappy blanket. Or donate it!

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  11. I vote for brightly colored washcloths or socks. I don't seem to get too bored with socks (except for the cuff, and of course the foot...uh). I know what you mean, though. It's a scary feeling! How about a skinny scarf for next holiday season??

    Be strong!
    r
    P.S. While we're at it...I need a gift idea for friends that are adopting a baby from China. The only problem...I'm not entirely sure of the child's age (nor are they) and I'm definitely not sure of the size! A teddy bear? Suggestions anyone?

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  12. Don't worry it's the new baby factor. In the last few months I've trashed to projects.

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  13. The bunny ear hat is the perfect choice (around our house we call it "the hat of unbearable cuteness"). Your mojo will return soon enough.

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  14. Anonymous8:17 p.m.

    I'm impressed that you've gotten anything done at all!

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  15. I've lost mine as well. I'm just sewing things up atm &you know thing are desperate when I sew without a deadline.

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  16. My advice, baby socks. Nothing is easier or flies off the needles faster while still giving a sense of accomplishment to the knitter. I was right there with you in a knitting rut until my copy of Lace Style came in the mail. Now I'm on fire again. A pity it's finals week...something tells me my newfound mojo is a bad thing...

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