One of the first projects that I bought the materials for was a jumper, way back in spring 2011. I was limited in choice as the day I wanted to start, I had to find a knitting shop in one of the local small towns. I wanted to make it NOW! And I didn't want to drive very far to get my yarn! Ledbury is a lovely quaint town nearby, and I found it had a part-craft, part-old lady clothes shop with a limited selection of patterns and yarn. The photo on the pattern made the style look young and smart, so I thought I would try it, although they didn't have the right shade of green in stock, so I took a similar one.Well, it was ever so slightly more complicated that I thought, but when I finally got used to the repeat pattern, I was on a roll and was looking forward to the finished product.
But it took me over 2 years to finish as first of all, I went off knitting in the summer months, and when winter 2011 arrived I decided to make Christmas presents for everyone instead of going shopping! I hate shopping. And I had no money left after moving house. After that, we got a puppy - and if you've ever had a puppy you'll know that for the first 6 months, you don't have any hobbies apart from cleaning up, worrying about, playing with and training that dog. And he would have stolen the wool anyway.
Enough of the excuses. I picked it up again in winter 2012 and finally finished it in February 2013 only to find it was too small - and looked better inside out than the right way.
So, if it had fitted me (or, to be honest anyone I know), I think it would be OK - but it doesn't, so it is in my charity bag now, waiting for the next trip to the charity shop.
But I console myself that I learn some valuable lessons along the way. (1) measure myself before making clothing and (2) test my tension. I had done neither for this project. I've also learnt to make up the seams in a different way since doing this - now using mattress stitch - so in future my seams won't be quite so bulky!(and secretly, I didn't like the colour in the end - the green was a bit insipid).
You win some, you lose some.
I am so pleased that it isn't just me that starts things and either abandons them part way through or hates them when they are finished!
ReplyDeleteI have a knitting graveyard behind my sofa. Half finished projects go there on holiday. The wedding ring shawl in cobweb yarn that has now gone on hold until I retire!!!
And the blanket that I started to knit for my youngest well over three years ago that shows its head every now and again and then goes back into hibernation til another day. Fortunately it is a full size single bed blanket rather than a cot blanket as I fear she has outgrown that by now!!!