I'm joining Ginny's Yarn Along this week.
I guess you can say that I am really enjoying knitting my Bedford. It's been incredibly nice having only three projects on my needles: my High Plains Drifter Shawl, a test knit that has to remain underwraps for now, and my Bedford. So far, the pattern is sweet: interesting stitch pattern on the body portion and straight-forward reverse stockinette stitch on the sleeves all of which has kept my attention without being tedious or overwhelming. I'm also loving knitting with Madelinetosh DK in spite of the slight change in color as I knit from skein to skein. I should have alternated between two skeins to start with (duh!) as many of you commented, but I forgot that helpful advice and am not bothered enough to rip back and start over.
 |
| This is more of a hump than a ladder |
Where I did bother to rip back and start over was with my first sleeve. I cast on with DPNs and didn't think I'd have the infamous ladder problem but why I thought I would be the one to avoid this problem, I just don't know. Oh yes, where my stitches jump from one DPN to another developed the ladder effect or in my case the hump effect.
I changed to a circular needle but the damage was done, and I knew that the regret I would feel in not ripping back would make me sad every time I wore this beautiful sweater so rip back I did.
At first, I took the advice to spread my stitches over four needles rather than three but that barely made a difference. I then decided to cast directly onto a circular needle and while it took a little more effort to knit the mere 45 stitches (I have very small wrists and thin arms), it worked like a charm.
I'm actually done with both sleeves and the body section so I'm ready to knit the three pieces together and begin the raglan shaping. My additional skeins of Madelinetosh DK are caked and patiently waiting -- I can't wait!
As for reading, I'm nearing the end of Stone Arabia and am so moved by the way the story unfolds. I was under the weather earlier this week which gave me the opportunity to read for several hours ... the plus side of needing to lie on my couch for an afternoon.
I really can't wait to see this finished - it's so gorgeous! You've got to model this one for us!
ReplyDeleteooh i'm knitting the high plains drifter shawl also!!! love the colour for the bedford, can't wait to see it finished. have a great week xx
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear about the test knit...another new project?
ReplyDeleteA new project but not my design. I'm test-knitting for a designer and it's really interesting!
DeleteI have loved this pattern since it was released, I can't wait to see how yours turns out! You've chosen such a pretty yarn.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is coming along so quickly. The colour is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your test knit either!
Gorgeous color! And kudos on ripping back! I'm almost never smart enough to do it when I make a mistake.
ReplyDeleteWow, good for you for ripping back! You're a better person than me haha! And such a lovely color, too.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm wondering: did you actually purl the sleeves the entire time or did you knit them and then turn them inside out?
ReplyDeleteGood question! Several knitters commented that they turned their sleeves inside out and knit them but I chose to purl all the way -- it wasn't actually that bad. ; )
DeleteAh. See my gauge while purling is wildly different. I was thinking that may have been why the hump was so pronounced: if its difficult to keep the ladder stitches tight while knitting, then doing so while purling must be slightly harder.
DeleteThinking on it further I realized that with the difference in gauge (my purls are so much looser that knits that I go down 2 needle sizes in that hand during flat stockinette) doing the raglan sleeves would produce a challenge f you did the sleeves inside out anyways. I think it might be fun to do this sweater and do the whole thing inside out! ♥
It looks like it will be so cozy and wearable.
You've obviously had more knitting time than I. I am still ploughing through the body! Like you, I am really enjoying knitting it though. I've been pondering the sleeve issue too. I *loathe* knitting sleeves in the round. It's just not an enjoyable exercise for me. I think I will do these flat and seam them (and allow an extra stitch on each side for the seam.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon!
It's definitely worth it to rip out when you know you'll love it more as a result! So excited to see the finish!
ReplyDeleteYour Bedford will be so striking! Glad the changing of technique worked out for you.
ReplyDeleteI've sympathsized with you on the subject of laddering before, I will do so again. I'm also glad that I'm not the only person seriously annoyed by sleeve laddering, the first rows of a sleeve are very frustrating for me and I count down the rows until I have enough stitches to switch to a circular needle (I've tried magic loop...it has it's own set of problems). But everyone will be so busy staring adoringly at the color and the construction that no one will notice the ladders, especially after you block it a bit.
ReplyDeleteKnowing me I would have been lazy and just kept going. But who knows. I love where this is going and the color. I am glad you did what will make you the happiest!
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested in hand knitted and crocheted creations Jass Design is the blog you should visit. Jass Design is a blog packed with ideas, yarns and inspiration. Welcome.
ReplyDeleteI love the MadTosh!
ReplyDeletehugs