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Sunday, November 4, 2012

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #45

HAPPY SUNDAY!
It's Sunday here in California and that means that it's time for another of my Self-Imposed Year of Projects update. This is the beginning of my 45th week and not much has changed since last week. But, for posterity, I'll show you the lists :)


FINISHED OBJECTS
1. Claudia: started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks: started May 22, 2011; finished January 9, 2012
3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket: started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012
4. Dalek Dishcloth: started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks: started September 18, 2010; finished February 17, 2012
6. Snail Hat: started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012
7. Lothlorien Hat: started January 25, 2012; finished March 5, 2012
8. Habitat Hat: started April 10, 2012; finished May 8, 2012
9. Mini Sweet Girl's Pumpkin Hat: started May 31, 2012; finished June 4, 2012
10. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012; finished August 4, 2012
11. Sassy Girl's Simple Baby Cap #1: started August 4, 2012; finished August 5, 2012
12. Double Bump Dishcloth: started August 9, 2012; finished August 11, 2012
13. Go Pack, Go!: started August 18, 2012; finished August 22, 2012
14. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started August 25, 2012; finished August 26, 2012
15. Little Granite Dishcloth: started August 27, 2012; finished August 28, 2012
16. Alternate Andalusian Dishcloth: started August 29, 2012; finished August 29, 2012
17. Not-Too-Scruby Dishcloth: started September 7, 2012; finished September 14, 2012
18. Ruffled Feathers Pinwheel Blanket: started September 12, 2012; finished September 24, 2012
19. Plain old boring "normal" dishcloth (no project page): started September 22, 2012; finished September 28, 2012
20. Raglan Hat: started September 28, 2012; finished September 29, 2012
21. Nolan for Nellie: started September 28, 2012; finished October 1, 2012
22. Garter Stitch Scarf: started October 5, 2012; finished October 5, 2012
23. Chunky Scarf: started October 6, 2012; finished October 8, 2012
24. Hypnotic Dream Dishcloth: started October 3, 2012; finished October 11, 2012
25. Matt's U of AL Beanie: started October 11, 2012; finished October 14, 2012
26. Christmas Elf Hat: started October 17, 2012; finished October 22, 2012
27. Sweet Girl's Hippo: started May 10, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
28. Susan's Hat (mini): started October 25, 2012; finished October 26, 2012

The Hippo is still without a face but I think I've decided that I'm going to use some of the pink yarn for the eyes and mouth...so I should actually have it completely finished this week. 

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
1. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011
2. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010
3. Hermione's Everyday Socks: started March 6, 2012
4. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012
5. Little Man's Sweater: started October 23, 2012
 

Most of my focus this week has been on Little Man's Sweater, Hermione's Everyday Socks, and my Icarus Shawl. After some confusion about terminology, I've finished both sleeves and am working on the body. Because this is a test knit, we're supposed to be looking for mistakes, things that don't make sense, etc. Well...found something that didn't make sense. Well, it made sense in my American brain but this particular pattern is for British publication. So, all the measurements are in centimeters. That's fine. I can deal with that. What threw me off and caused some confusion was the abbreviation, "CO." In my American brain, "CO" means cast on. Unfortunately, the British say, "cast on" and "cast off" instead of "cast on" and "bind off." Do you see where this is going? Yeah.....the pattern says, in part, "CO 4 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows." So, I cast on four stitches at the beginning of the next two rows. The designer actually meant "cast off." So, my British/UK readers...how do you know which is which in the middle of a pattern? Do designers usually write out "cast off" or do they put a note or...well, how do you know if you're supposed to add more stitches or take away stitches?!

Anyway, we got that sorted out, I tinked back a few rows on my first sleeve and fixed the issue. We also discovered that there was a "K1" missing in the yoke of the sweater. I was also reading through some of the materials and it said we should use a "30 cm" circular...which is approximately 12" in length. I am not cramming 130 stitches onto 12" of needle. I'm pretty sure it's supposed to say 32" circular (or 80 cm). 

Other than that, it's going quite well. I picked up some little wooden buttons for the sweater on Friday afternoon but I'm not going to show them off until I finish the sweater. Trust me, they're cute :)

I've finished the heel flap, turning of the heel, and the double gusset heel decreases for the second of my Hermione's Everyday Socks. I tried and tried to pick up the same number of stitches that I did on the first sock (19) but I couldn't...I kept getting 17 stitches. I went with it and my gussets were altered a little bit. I think it'll be fine but I wasn't happy about it. I also have a couple small holes in the second sock as a result. I thought I got those. ::sigh:: I'm now just knitting along until I get to the toes. 

I also worked a couple rows on my Icarus Shawl. I'm toward the end of the third chart. I tend to work on it late at night because there's less of a chance of interruptions from Little Man. 

PLANNED HATS (at least 1 more - 12 total for the year)
1. Hermione Hearts Ron
2. Ogre Babies!
3. NIN Hat
4. Godric's Hollow Hat
5. Bergen Street Tuque
 

I'm also down to only needing one more hat for the year and I'm not sure which one I want to knit. I want to knit them all but I'm unsure which one I should pick. So, I guess I'm taking suggestions at t his point...



Little Man seems to be feeling better. He's not quite 100% yet but the snot eschewing from his nose has lessened greatly, for which I'm thankful. Unfortunately, Husband seems to have caught the ickyness. He was sent home from work on Friday and I wound up making chicken, rice, and dumpling soup. It was rather impromptu but it turned out alright. I'm hoping that I don't get it. I don't have time to be sick. 

Little Man's second birthday is on Friday. It looks like it's going to be pretty basic: cake and presents with mom and dad. That's fine...except I'm not sure what to get him. He has tons of stuffed animals and other toys, books, clothes...I'm thinking of a couple toy cars as he seems to be really into those lately but I don't know. Maybe a trip to someplace fun for him (like Golden Gate Park or the aquarium down by Monterey). I have no idea. 

Anyway, that's about all for this week. I may be back on Wednesday with photos of some of those WIPs and I'll probably be back on Friday, if only to show you a gazillion photos of Little Man and my grandma. I also owe you all photos of the hippo.

I hope you're all having a great week :)

12 comments:

  1. Patterns should nomally have a key of abbreviations etc. The way I always check is to read the numbers as well! I think all pattern writers should include stitch counts after increasing or decreasing any number of stitches.

    C.O is sloppy, as we both cast ON and OFF in the UK.

    So say the last row was 40 sticthes. The next line might be

    C.O 4 stitches at the start of the next 2 rows. (48 stitches)

    OR

    C.O 4 Stitches at the start of the next 2 rows. (32 stitches)

    That way even if your unsure as to what C.O refers to you can work it out. More stitches is an increase, less is a decrease.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I looked for something in the pattern but there wasn't anything. I think she is fixing that. At least, I hope it gets fixed...

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    2. I think this is why smart designers always test their patterns first so brave knitters like you find any glitches ahead of the rest of us. I'd probably check the stitch count and hope for the best. The needle size sounds interesting too. I'll have a look at the in the in-3s I did and see what the length was for that one. Hope all your men are feeling better soon.

      Delete
  2. My vote goes for Hermione Hearts Ron.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm leaning toward that one, too :)

      Delete
    2. Mine too :)

      I can totally see the confusion with the CO issue. This kind of feedback is very useful when writing patterns though. Even when not test knitting, I tend to feed things back if something on a pattern is confusing. Most designers seem very happy with this.

      Good luck for week 46!

      Delete
  3. You had great questions about that CO issue. I'd be utterly confused.
    Have you gone to the Bay Discovery Museum yet? There's one in San Jose and one in Marin. Very age appropriate activities for Little Man.
    One of my Breaking Dawn socks gusset came out a lil' funny so I feel ya on that sock issue.

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  4. Can't wait to see photos of the little man! I have to say how brave I think you are for doing a test knit! I am not strong enough of a knitter to figure out what causes problems-- I trust patterns completely which has caused a bit of a issue at times. :) Whatever you end up doing on Friday, soak it up and love on that little guy--I cannot convey how fast the years fly by-my baby (of 4) is now 17!
    *smiles*

    ReplyDelete
  5. When I work heel flaps I double check how many slipped stitches there are on the edge to pick up before I do the heel turn to make sure my count is the same from left sock to right. Also I usually pick up an extra between the gusset and instep on each side to avoid holes. If your picked up stitches are loose you can also knit the first round through the back loops to tighten them up.

    AND I LOVE OGRE BABIES!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do the same, and I also sometimes k2tog on the next round right where the gusset becomes the instep... or I convince myself the holes are design features.

      I'm throwing in a vote for Hermione Hearts Ron.

      Is your little guy too young for the exploratorium in the city? I used to love it there-- as did my grandfather, who acted as perpetual chaperon. It might be something for slightly older kids, though.

      Delete
  6. The ickyness is making the rounds! Before children I always used to say to myself: "why doesn't that mom wipe that kids nose?"...

    then I had a kid and realized my mistake fast! We're always wiping..they make the stuff by the buckets! Glad he is feeling better..

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would be so confused with the CO meaning both cast on and cast off, and I thin my first instinct would be to do the same as you and cast on, unless it was obvious from the stitch count which one was meant.

    As to hats: I would vote for Ogre babies, because Little Man would look so cute in it, but since you're no longer in Wisconsin, so probably don't need wooly hats for him as much, I'd go for Hermione Hearts Ron (though I do like the NIN one...)

    The sock yarn I'm knitting with is one of the ones you sent me, I love how it's knitting up, and I'mfinding it really difficult that I amgoing to have to part with the socks, so thank you very much! It looks totally different knitted than it did in the skein.

    And most importantly, Happy Birthday to Little Man! I bet you can't believe he's nearly two! Hope you all have an amazing day :)

    ReplyDelete