I really dislike the panic that comes with knitting to a deadline. That would include Christmas, birthdays, and in this case, the disappearance of the writing system I have been using for decades. It disappears Oct. 1. Soooon.
This will be the last pattern I post up on ravelry. An Any Gauge Crewneck Cardigan. I’m almost there.
A little over half a sleeve to go. Everything else is on hold.
Deadlines, a great way to take the joy of knitting away. Not good for me. How about you?
I was recently asked how I deal with thumb pain from knitting. I have some pain but it’s not bad considering how much and how long I have been knitting. Mostly I use ice.
I think I have less than I might have because I am a continental knitter. This is me knitting – K4, P4.
I learned this method in university, taught by my friend Ruth who had been taught to knit by her german neighbour. I used to have to use every finger of both hands to finish a stitch! I have refined it over the decades of knitting.
I now have problems with my shoulders. I’m sure it doesn’t have anything to do with knitting for hours without taking a break!!!
My solution is to knit several different ways to give my hands and shoulders a change of position. Every other method of knitting is slower, of course, but I try to keep in mind that it is helping, along with exercises and ice packs.
I am knitting, or actually purling, my log cabin squares.
This is certainly easier on my right thumb because all my right hand is doing is holding yarn threaded through my middle fingers for the tension. I also sit differently and my hand movements are not anything like my regular knitting.
My other project is a sock.
I’m using the Irish Cottage throwing method here. I’m limited because I can’t purl this way yet and only seem able to work it on double pointed needles. But it does work if I am patient with my slow speed. New methods take quite a long time to be comfortable.
I chose a method to go with one project, to keep myself honest. The awkwardness does test my resolve to stick with it.
There are many different ways to knit. I hope that working this way will keep me knitting for many more years, as pain-free as possible.
Do we ever lose that feeling that September is the beginning of the year? School starts again and here we go. I don’t have anyone going to school, except my grandson, so it’s a false start for me but I still feel like I have to take a look at what I need to be doing as we head into fall.
There are always projects to finish up. Some will take longer than others and I’m trying to give myself reasonable timelines. I’m not too good at this.
This is the Contiguous Drop Shoulder Pullover for my daughter-in-law. She tried it on so I have some idea of what I need to do to finish.
I have finished the cropped body length she wanted but can you believe she has 22″ long arms? Tall people, geez. I will be knitting sleeves for quite some time. I’m giving myself a Christmas deadline. That seems reasonable, right?
Of course, I did cast on another pair of socks (speaking of Christmas, is too early to mention that word?). Toe up socks that I got started on while watching curling over the weekend. Watching curling behind the glass is good practice for knitting while not looking at my work. I only dropped one stitch. Not bad. Of course I only noticed after knitting an inch past it so I just added a new stitch where I needed to and will sew that dropped stitch in. That sort of decided which was the top of the foot and which the bottom.
A small project was important because I have two larger projects on the go.
This is the 4×4 Ribbed Tank for my daughter. I’m knitting in Summer Silk, silk/linen blend, by Shelridge Yarns. It’s lovely and soft.
Screenshot
The 4×4 rib does take some concentration because it’s not automatic the way 2×2 ribbing is for me. Another longer deadline. I may need another small project that I can finish. I’m not setting myself up very well here.
One last sweater, because where would I be without several sweaters to knit!
This will be an Any Gauge Crew Neck cardigan that I will publish as soon a I get it finished. Maybe this jumps to the top of the priority list?
What I really want to knit is log cabin squares of my handspun. This is calling to me constantly. I must be strong and not listen too often. Maybe if I tossed it in the furnace room I wouldn’t be able to hear it. Does this ever work?!
So here we are. Summer is closing out and knitting weather is coming. Are you ready?
