I like the idea of letting go of impatience. It’s a very helpful reframe. I am looking at the long stretch of stocking stitch before I get to the colour work yolk of my Painted Cave sweater. It does seem like there’s a long way to go, especially with fine yarn and 3.25 mm needles. Luckily the yarn is a glorious buttery yellow alpaca so it cheers me up every time I pick it up!
What we call the grafting stitch is an interesting question. Mostly now it’s called Kitchener Stitch. Once before the First World War it was called German Grafting. There are good reasons for just calling it grafting. I have South African friends who find the name Kitchener highly offensive. Also the whole myth about him wanting the troops to have seamless socks is just that. A myth.
Letting go of impatience is something that I'm definitely working on. Oooh cheery buttery yellow alpaca sounds glorious! I can appreciate your joy at knitting with that yarn. I look forward to seeing your updates. :)
Such a lovely post! Thank you for sharing that gem about impatience vs. patience from Andy. My suggestion would be to find a thriller to listen to, so as not to get too anxious about finishing it. Knitting simply takes whatever it takes, and most of the time I don't seem to be able to do much about it than go with the flow. :)) Btw, your WIP is growing beautiful by the day. It is going to look great on you.
Ah Kavitha, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad that it resonated with you. Great advice about going with the flow and listening to a thriller to avoid getting anxious about finishing. I've got one more row to go on the hem then binding it off. Like you say it'll simply take whatever it takes :)
Omg Linda! Spot on!! I used to tell people that a long picot cast-on is going to take 2-3 Netflix episodes. :)))) Oops, good you warned Jodie about thrillers and tension. For psychological thrillers, go up a needle size, maybe.. just kidding. :)))
Always love reading your posts and this one struck a little “impatient” nerve in me. I have to switch off from looking at yarn, touching any yarn in my stash or even thinking about yarn, in order to finish a large project. I am getting better at not starting 5 new things because they take my mind off finishing.
Thanks so much for sharing your own experience with impatience and getting projects finished :) Your quietening of the urge to start other projects and shutting off the desire of doing something with all your beautiful yarn is so wise. Thank you also for your kind words of praise :)
I am at the "nearly finished" stage of my Aurora Cabin Shawl and every row seems to take forever. I am managing it by deciding how many rows to do each day, and working on other projects with the rest of my time.
Gee, don't you like to knit Jodie? It sounds like it bores you to tears. Like you can't wait to get it over with. Yes, I am talking about the actual hands-on knitting. Knitting is so much a part of me that I miss it if I am away from it for too long. Yes, even plain old stockinette or whole torsos of circular knitting. Knitting allows me to daydream while at the same time pay attention to how the knitting is going. How the stitches and rows are looking. The 'not looking thing' is just what happens after you have been knitting for a good long while and your hands are alert for the feel of the stitches falling into place. It is not something I ever practiced. And one needs to take note of how each row looks to avoid needing to correct a skipped stitch or other such error. But that is just automatic, like turning on your blinker before making a turn. No biggie. The comfort of hands-on knitting is perhaps a meditative state. Many have talked about this at length, I must say, it does provide me with a contented state of mind where other things in my life get ironed out and new doors open. Give a shot at just enjoying finishing your sweater. I think it is fine to look at your knitting and give it whatever attention feels right for you.
Thanks so much for sharing your answer for this week's mystery quote Tay, you'll find out if you're right next week :) I'm glad this idea resonated with you.
It takes however long… I’m making Tabouli and having to rip back the 4 stitch cables as I forget to cross every 16 rows. This 4 stitch backup is so time consuming I need to think positively as I snail my way down the second sleeve… Then there are the pockets, neck and front bands to go. At this stage I cannot start something new but I can read the next project!
That sounds challenging Dorothy! I took a quick peep at the Tabouli pattern and it's impressive. I can totally appreciate the time you'll put into each sleeve with that intricate cable pattern! What does reading the next pattern do for you?
I dream ahead! I try to imagine Asa Tricosa’s Mayhem DK on my body… will I like the drape? the texture? Consider different colours, then solid, or semi, tweedy… Will I modify the length? Include the pocket? Add an unobtrusive button? Or possibly make her Jadeite, in worsted? Both are recommended as first ziggurats. (I asked for and received the book for Christmas.) Flirt with other possibilities.
I like the idea of letting go of impatience. It’s a very helpful reframe. I am looking at the long stretch of stocking stitch before I get to the colour work yolk of my Painted Cave sweater. It does seem like there’s a long way to go, especially with fine yarn and 3.25 mm needles. Luckily the yarn is a glorious buttery yellow alpaca so it cheers me up every time I pick it up!
What we call the grafting stitch is an interesting question. Mostly now it’s called Kitchener Stitch. Once before the First World War it was called German Grafting. There are good reasons for just calling it grafting. I have South African friends who find the name Kitchener highly offensive. Also the whole myth about him wanting the troops to have seamless socks is just that. A myth.
Letting go of impatience is something that I'm definitely working on. Oooh cheery buttery yellow alpaca sounds glorious! I can appreciate your joy at knitting with that yarn. I look forward to seeing your updates. :)
Such a lovely post! Thank you for sharing that gem about impatience vs. patience from Andy. My suggestion would be to find a thriller to listen to, so as not to get too anxious about finishing it. Knitting simply takes whatever it takes, and most of the time I don't seem to be able to do much about it than go with the flow. :)) Btw, your WIP is growing beautiful by the day. It is going to look great on you.
Ah Kavitha, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm glad that it resonated with you. Great advice about going with the flow and listening to a thriller to avoid getting anxious about finishing. I've got one more row to go on the hem then binding it off. Like you say it'll simply take whatever it takes :)
I agree with Kavitha’s comment. I sometimes measure the time something took me by the hours of audiobook. Thrillers are good but watch your tension!
Omg Linda! Spot on!! I used to tell people that a long picot cast-on is going to take 2-3 Netflix episodes. :)))) Oops, good you warned Jodie about thrillers and tension. For psychological thrillers, go up a needle size, maybe.. just kidding. :)))
🤣
Great to know Linda! 😀
Always love reading your posts and this one struck a little “impatient” nerve in me. I have to switch off from looking at yarn, touching any yarn in my stash or even thinking about yarn, in order to finish a large project. I am getting better at not starting 5 new things because they take my mind off finishing.
Thanks so much for sharing your own experience with impatience and getting projects finished :) Your quietening of the urge to start other projects and shutting off the desire of doing something with all your beautiful yarn is so wise. Thank you also for your kind words of praise :)
I am at the "nearly finished" stage of my Aurora Cabin Shawl and every row seems to take forever. I am managing it by deciding how many rows to do each day, and working on other projects with the rest of my time.
That's a great idea to set some goals on how many rows to complete each day. And another reminder for me to have multiple projects on the go 😀
Gee, don't you like to knit Jodie? It sounds like it bores you to tears. Like you can't wait to get it over with. Yes, I am talking about the actual hands-on knitting. Knitting is so much a part of me that I miss it if I am away from it for too long. Yes, even plain old stockinette or whole torsos of circular knitting. Knitting allows me to daydream while at the same time pay attention to how the knitting is going. How the stitches and rows are looking. The 'not looking thing' is just what happens after you have been knitting for a good long while and your hands are alert for the feel of the stitches falling into place. It is not something I ever practiced. And one needs to take note of how each row looks to avoid needing to correct a skipped stitch or other such error. But that is just automatic, like turning on your blinker before making a turn. No biggie. The comfort of hands-on knitting is perhaps a meditative state. Many have talked about this at length, I must say, it does provide me with a contented state of mind where other things in my life get ironed out and new doors open. Give a shot at just enjoying finishing your sweater. I think it is fine to look at your knitting and give it whatever attention feels right for you.
I love your quote above: “knitting is so much a part of me that I miss it if I am away from it for too long.” Me too!
I’m glad your knitting brings you all the positive things you mentioned. No doubt that comes from having a wealth of experience!
Perhaps this is a good reminder for me to have multiple projects on the go. More variety to consistently improve my skills.
The quote is by Elizabeth Zimmerman, I think.
And I'd never thought of letting go of impatience. That's quite the mental shift!
Thanks so much for sharing your answer for this week's mystery quote Tay, you'll find out if you're right next week :) I'm glad this idea resonated with you.
It takes however long… I’m making Tabouli and having to rip back the 4 stitch cables as I forget to cross every 16 rows. This 4 stitch backup is so time consuming I need to think positively as I snail my way down the second sleeve… Then there are the pockets, neck and front bands to go. At this stage I cannot start something new but I can read the next project!
That sounds challenging Dorothy! I took a quick peep at the Tabouli pattern and it's impressive. I can totally appreciate the time you'll put into each sleeve with that intricate cable pattern! What does reading the next pattern do for you?
I dream ahead! I try to imagine Asa Tricosa’s Mayhem DK on my body… will I like the drape? the texture? Consider different colours, then solid, or semi, tweedy… Will I modify the length? Include the pocket? Add an unobtrusive button? Or possibly make her Jadeite, in worsted? Both are recommended as first ziggurats. (I asked for and received the book for Christmas.) Flirt with other possibilities.
That all sounds wonderful! 😍
Glad you like to knit Jodie. And I appreciate the way you are looking at ways to improve your skills.