Summer Knitting Goals: One Month On

If you're like me, you have this impression that the sleeves of a sweater will take no time. Once I get to the sleeves, I think to myself and sometimes even tell B, "Hey, I'm almost done! I just have the sleeves" I mean, they're narrower right? Yet, these sleeves seem to be taking ages, so I thought I'd do some math and see if it's true that finishing the front and back actually mean's you're almost done.

These estimates don't take into account shaping:

• Front Panel/Back Panel: 81.9 stitches per row; 109.8 rows = 8,992.62 stitches total per panel


• Sleeves: 59.85 stitches per row; 150 rows = 8,977.5 stitches total per sleeve

Looks like I'm right, only barely. They're very nearly the same, but knitting the front and the back does mean that you're half way through a long-sleeve sweater. Of course I'm not counting finishing.

I'm half way through Jemima's second sleeve. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll start the finishing tomorrow.

I did something "funny" on the front panel, which I was able to fix without frogging back a few inches. I was hoping that any residual wonkiness would go away after blocking, but it's still there. So, here's a question for you: How do you block your projects?

I used to steam mine with an iron, but lately I've been pretending to wash them - you know get them completely wet, shape them on some towels, pin them in place, then let dry. But it occurred to me, do I have to block the sweater every time I wash it? So, should I also steam my projects? Will that "set" them somehow?

About Those Plans

You'll recall that back in May, Ali encouraged us to draw up our summer knitting goals. Since it's been about a month I thought I'd take a look at my progress so far and make a few revisions.

1. Knit at least one pair of socks per month for Socktopia and Summer of Socks 2007. It's not looking good for June since I'm waiting to cast on tomorrow. I'm not confident that I'll manage a pair in a week, but stranger things have happened.
2. Start and finish no-wool socks for my mom. Starting this week.
3. DONE! Finish B's flapjack socks before I go crazy or get repetitive stress syndrome.
4. Finish B's sweater.
5. Finish Daisy Scarf.
6. Start Cabled V Neck Sweater. Trying...
7. DONE! Knit and felt my first bag.
8. Find a project for the umpteen skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino 501 that were a sweater. I have some thoughts, including Wicked.
9. Think about whether Decide if I can will actually knit the Hanami Stole for my mother-in-law or for my mom or both for Christmas. I need to find out if my mother-in-law would like such a thing, and if I like lace knitting. I've added a lace wrap skirt (see #12 below) as a test run.


10. Finish Jemima. Almost there...
11. Make three peace cranes (one for me, two for friends).
12. Make the Ogee Lace Skirt from Interweave Knits, Summer 2007 to wear over yoga pants.

Comments

[becky]

Yes- when it comes to sleeves, the words "half-way" seem to be more accurate than "almost." Each time I start a bigger project, I think to myself-"Process not Product"-take your time. Inevitably I get sidetracked by the possibilities of product and become obsessive. I believe it will be a lifelong quest.

I haven't had a ton of blocking experience but after reading everything and recognizing my own limitations, I do this-
wash in cold water with "that knitting soap" in the sink.

Roll in several dry towels to get the heavy wet out of it.

Then lay it out on the bed with some pins for good measure. (no pun intended and none really there because I don't really measure.)

I've tried the steam iron but when I do it, it seems like it takes forever and like it's not really working. I'll be interested in reading what others do.

[Heather]

I always get hoodwinked into thinking that the sleeves are going to be a piece o' cake...

Blocking a sweater: I make it damp, pin it to a towel and place gigantic art history books over the towel!

[April]

I have never managed a sweater before, but I'd be willing to bet I'd do the same thing, and assume I'm almost done!

I just wanted to post a quick comment to say hello and introduce myself as April, your blog reader, for the Summer of Socks 2007. And make sure you know that I found your blog and have subscribed to it.

[Jen]

Seems we're all in agreement so far - wet, set and dry. I s'pose if it gets all wrung out of shape after I wash it, I could try steaming it to see if it locks in the shape or something.

April - welcome to my ole blog. I have some ideas to make my sock blogging more interesting. Stay tuned...

[Meghann]

Great work so far! I have no idea how I'm doing with my goals....maybe I should reevaluate too! LOL!

[Barb]

I like your idea about summer knitting goals. Good luck! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Blogger doesn't show addresses for a reply but I put the link the the Totoro pattern on the sidebar for you. I usually just start there and make adjustments as I go along, depending on the yarn.