Making Useless Things

Cast off and blocked my Robin sweater by Helga Isager. It is such a great relief to finally have this finished. Yet, it is a bittersweet moment. I am not totally in love with this sweater. The fit and shaping are not quite what I imagined them to be. So, I think some time and separation between us might rekindle the love. Still this is a huge achievement to have this off my needles. I learned a lot, and I have a beautiful finished piece. Even if it does end up in someone else’s closet.

Pattern: Robin by Helga Isager

Yarn: Lough Neagh by Woolly Mammoth Fibre Co.

So close to having the sleeve of this sweater finished. But I am playing a bit of yarn chicken with the remaining skeins. Sadly, since the yarn is hand dyed and naturally dyed, this color might be hard to come by. But I am certainly be emailing the dyer to see how she can help if it come to it. 

I think I will be ok with a contrasting hem and neckline. I just really want the same fibers. 

No worries though. I got this :)

Pattern: Robin by Helga Isager

Yarn by Woolly Mammoth Fiber Co.

So it has only been about four or five months since I started this sweater, and I am just now finally close to finishing the first sleeve! Kind of wild to think how long this sweater is taking me. But I don’t really have the same kind of dedication that I used to have to knitting. Mostly due to lack of time... but regardless, I am super excited to be accomplishing this step. It feels amazing.

Pattern: Robin by Helga Isager

Yarn: Merino held with Mohair, Woolly Mammoth Fibre Co.

Robin Sweater update.

Guess who frogged the whole sleeve and started over? 

This girl.

Yup. It hurt a lot. But in the end I felt so much relief. I know that I am now starting it correctly. It took me two evenings to decipher the pattern and figure out what I screwed up. Turns out I cast on the wrong amount of stitches and that caused a world of problems. 

At least now I will have a properly knitted sleeve, and I will be able to match the second one easily. Plus, I plan on wearing this sweater everyday until it falls apart. So all this pain is worth it.

Well, well, well would you look at that, I am just about in the same exact place as I was last time I updated you on my Robin Sweater. Turns out I knit about six inches of decreases wrong. I was about to start the edging for the sleeve when I realized my stitch count was off, as was the length. Had to spend an evening frogging almost half of the sleeve. I blame the fact that the pattern is translated from Japanese (or from German to Japanese to English... not sure how the publisher decided to do it) Whatever it is, the pattern is confusing, and I tend to just think I know everything and knit and knit until I notice it is all wrong. 

The high point is I can just let this project get packed up with my last shipment of household goods and worry about finishing it later in the year.

I mean casting on something new is always the best answer to any problematic pattern right?

I got bored of waiting for the yarn for my cardigan, so I cast on something new.

This is the start of the Robin Sweater by Helga Isager. Yarn is by Woolly Mammoth Fibres, who by the way has a stellar instagram, and you should all go check it out.

So far this pattern/yarn combo has been wonderful to work up. I would suggest, if you ever work with mohair, never lay your piece out on dry/sandy grass. Even if it is for a quick measure... picking off all the dirt and bits is not worth it.

Day 10: Do you have a favorite pattern or designer?

My knowledge of designers is pretty limited, since my use of patterns is pretty limited. It has only been in the last year that I really started to purchase patterns and books. I have to say it has been a difficult and good journey. Patterns grow your knitting skills a lot. Everyone has their own way of knitting, and some people have some great tricks and tips.

To shout out a designer I really like, that would be Helga Isager. I love her use of texture, and I find most of her works are unique.