Monday, February 11, 2013

Kill Me Now

It is quite shocking for me to see that the last time I did a blog post was 10 days ago. Along for the Ride really did a number on me.  If I even walk too close to my stash, I break out in a sweat & start to shake.  I absolutely cannot stitch right now.  My guess is that if I were able to pick up a piece of linen, choose a pattern & threads, & sit down to stitch, I might be able to do it, but the picking/choosing/sitting associated with it all I just haven't been able to do.  I'm sure I will stitch again.  Could be today, could be next week, could be a year from now.  It will happen.

In the meantime, I decided to knit something. There is no way I can just sit at night & do nothing.  I chose to knit a shawl.  I like shawls, & I could really use one when John & I sit out on the front porch & the wind is a bit too cool.  I had some yarn I bought last year so I looked on Ravelry for an uncomplicated shawl pattern.  This is the yarn.

This is the shawl.
Make a mental note of the size of this shawl. The gal who made it indicated that she used 5 skeins of the above yarn brand (different color though) & that she knitted the shawl on size 8 needles.  I had 5 skeins of the yarn & I had size 8 needles.  I eagerly began knitting, picturing how lovely & warm it would be around my shoulders.

This type of yarn is self striping meaning that it makes stripes as you knit with it.  The colorway I used, #250, has several shades of purples, pinks & blues.  I like purples, pinks & blues.  However, after knitting the first skein of yarn & seeing the stripes materialize, I started to hear Cher singing "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves" in my head & she never shut up.  Although I like these colors, I quickly realized that stripes are not my thing. Despite this realization, I continued to knit deciding that, if nothing else, I could always gift the shawl to someone or maybe even try to sell it.  

I used 40" circular needles so the shawl bunched up as I was knitting it, but this was not unexpected.  Last night I finished knitting the last skein with enough yarn left over to bind off.  This is what I ended up with.
I left my feet in the picture thinking it might give you an idea of the shawl's size.  It would probably be a large, comfortable shawl for a Munchkin.  For normal size people, it's more of a shawlette.  For me, it's like a neckerchief. To say I am disappointed is putting it mildly. I will be the first to admit that I don't possess an extensive knitting knowledge, & I assume it's possible that I need to block & stretch the shawl to make it resemble the one this other gal proudly displayed on her fence in the snow.  It would need to be stretched pretty dang far though   : (

On the bright side, I did learn a few things while knitting this shawl.  On the skills level, I learned to do a cable cast on, a seed stitch, a seed stitch bind off, & how to splice.  On a "know thyself" level, I learned that I never again want to use striping yarns.

I don't know where I'm going to go from here. Try knitting another shawl?  I have plenty of yarns & patterns.  Knitting a pair of socks?  I have plenty of yarns & patterns.  Fingerless mitts?  Again, plenty of yarns & patterns. Cross stitch something?  Doubtful, but then again, who knows.  I'll give it some thought today & let you know what I decide.          

19 comments:

cucki said...

Hello dear I think your shawl is looking so pretty and I love the yarn color so much too...
I love it
Big hugs x

marly said...

I haven't knit in a long time and my stitches were never the same as the measurement gauge, but this is quite a stretch. Blocking may help? It's beautiful and a shame not to wear it. Dishcloths!! Can't go wrong with them.

Trace4J said...

Good morning friend
It really is beautiful.
I could grab one end and you could grab the other. :)
I have many a donated things that did not turn out big enough.hehe
Woolie hugs

Vickie said...

Well, I think that Munchkin is going to look really great!! I like it. Maybe you should sell it on Etsy?
What about your tatting? Comforting or crazy at this time??

Mii Stitch said...

What a shame it is a tiny bit on the small size... The colours are great & you've done a lovely job!!

bettyj said...

Is there nothing you can't do????? Shawlette, so funny.

Peggy Lee said...

I was wondering when you would post again. It's not like you to let this much time pass between posts. I like the color of your shawl but I would know nothing about those terms you are using. I don't knit or crochet and I have no interest in learning. Cross stitching uses up every brain cell I can muster.
I'm sure you will be stitching soon. Some day a chart will catch your eye and you'll get right on that horse again!
~hugs

Emma/Itzy said...

Oh dear...sadly my knitting skills are just knit stitch and all I can make is scarves, so I can't offer any insight to why yours turned out the way it did! It is very pretty, just a shame it is a tad on the small size...I hope you get one of your crafty bugs back soon x

Judy said...

2013 just hasn't gone well in the stitch or knit department! I am sure any muchkin would be proud to wear the shawlette! We won't see another fire..will we? Then again, you did learn all those new things while knitting the shawlette. Hope your next project will get you over this slump. Keep blogging..we miss you.

Judy heartland stitcher

Maggee said...

DON'T TRY TO KNIT SOCKS!!! 'Mary's' best friend, who is THE MOST patient person, has been struggling something awful with knitting socks! DON'T DO IT! Maybe reading (a book or blogs or ...) or puzzles... or card-making? You KNOW the possibilities are endless while you are on hiatus from stitching! Dig around in those boxes upstairs girl! Rekindle an old love--of a craft! Hugs!

Simply Victoria said...

Your shawl looks great even if it's not "you." I hope you find a good home for it. That Cher song is going to be in my head for some time now. Too funny!
Take care from a new follower

Marie said...

I am sorry, I just cannot stop laughing about your shawl. That picture, with your feet says it all...too small for a shawl!

You have such witt. Every time I read your posts I laugh out loud, thank you for that. You would be the BEST neighbor...any interest in moving to Vermont?

I need to read you other posts to understand why you are not stitching...gotta run.

Mouse said...

thanks for the tune running round my head now .... its a mouse sized shawl yeahhhhh ... love the colours and it would be perfect to keep the drafts from my neck in my stitching corner ;) ... can't knit for toffee so I admire all folks who can .... some friends got me some dish cloth wool .. have yet to try and attempt ... think colonial knots !!! love mouse xxxxx

Chris said...

Wow Shirlee! I think that it is amazing, and look at what you learned. Amazing!!

Southpaw Stitcher said...

Gee, you've been having a bad few weeks, haven't you? I think your shawl is fantastic! Love the colors! Don't give up! We need your sense of humor! Can't advise about knitting socks because I've never attempted them--I'n having enough trouble right now doing a mitten with four DPNs!

butterfly said...

Beautiful shawl Shirlee, you will get your stitching mojo back some time, hugs.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

I'm a Munchkin and I love stripes!!

Seriously, there are 10 year olds bigger than me at my son's school.

Could you make it into a footwarmer? Or a lap-rug? Or send it to a munchkin?

Kaisievic said...

Beautiful knitting, I am sure that blocking it will help.

Jane said...

First the cross stitch now the knitting. I knew there'd be trouble as soon as I saw what yarn you were using and only 5 skeins. The model you were following probably meant 15 skeins instead of 5.

What's next?