Deb Gemmell: Top Down, Gauge Free and more

As a diet leads to binging, so does the reverse happen: knitting startitis leads to dumping projects in the UFO pile. Back where I started with two projects after starting 5 and a larger pile of whatever-made-me-start-that. Do you have this pile too?

Why do you keep going on certain projects and not on others? What makes a project stick?

I’m trying to stay with my design projects but it’s harder than usual to concentrate. Two, no three, ideas are running around my head and I’m trying not to jump in without thinking them through first.

It makes for a lot of work to start a half-baked idea. It goes like this: try this, nope no good huh really thought that would work, frustrated walk, walk, walk, *try a variation, optimistic, got it this time, knit way too far along with denial denial denial working overtime, not working, frustrated walk, walk, walk; repeat from * as many times as I can stand.

One scarf/shawl project is in the middle of this spiral and since I’ve started might as well keep going. I like the triangles but it’s not getting large enough, fast enough so I need to redo it from the beginning but … I have a different idea for the other end so I’m carrying on to try that out. If nothing else I will have a nicely coloured piece of knitting to throw around my neck. I can’t really lose here but it’s still not quite right so … walking, walking, walking.

Two other sweater projects are spinning around. One is based on this idea. I’m still looking for a boxy sweater.

I’m going to try something different. After this one prototype I’m going to think, think, think before I begin another one. Novel idea which might work, you never know.

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

Cabin Fever No-Sew patterns

 

 

The jittery knitter has landed with not one, not two but 4 new projects. This seems to be working for me, sort of. Are you a monogamous knitter? Why? What does that do for you? I truly have no idea how that works.

As I look around me I see:

A shawl I am re-purposing into a new shawl. I loved knitting the first shawl last summer but I just don’t wear it (probably because I never sewed the ends in, duh) so I decided since I really like the colours, to knit a second shawl. More triangles because I am obsessed.

I was knitting a plain toe-up sock and saw a photo on instagram of the Coriolis sock by Cat Bordhi. I have the New Pathways for Sock Knitters book so that’s what I’m going to knit. I just happened to be at the exact spot to jump right in. A good sign? I love the swirling pattern it’s going to make.

I’ve started my All You Need scarf pattern by Heidi Kirrmaier which I’m going to make into a blanket. Three letters done, almost. They are fun to see form up. I don’t know whether to make two sets of letters or just one for a blanket.What do you think?

I knit half a sleeve of the Nurtured pattern and … not working for me. The pattern is lovely but the wool I’m using is too thick and the slip stitch pattern ends up very stiff. It would be lovely in a thinner worsted yarn. For another time perhaps. The wool I have is the perfect colour, dark emerald green, so after looking around I decided to knit the Carbeth by Kate Davies. Oh my, the wool is loving this. It’s soft and easy and I just love knitting round and round.

The second Build a Bigger V is unfortunately stalled right at the finish line. All these new projects have pushed it to be back of the queue (which may be one of the reasons this startitis is going on). I’m feeling very guilty so that’s on my schedule for next week. Get it done (not my best thing, LOL). All I have to do is sew in ends, work the neckband and then find some buttons and sew them on with as little bloodshed as possible. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

How about you? One project or many? Where are you on the spectrum?

Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

Cabin Fever No-Sew patterns

Debgemmellmods ravelry group

There has been lots of knitting going on but I’ve also had a major bout of startitis. I’d decide this is THE perfect next project, cast on, knit two rows, put it aside, oh wait, this is the one, cast on, put aside, again and again. Am I the only one with the knitting jitters? Are you solid on your knitting? How do you do that?

My second Build a Bigger V sides have been attached and my sleeves are sewn up. I found out, to my surprise, I like garter stitch seaming, it’s rhythmic and somehow satisfying.

I decided on 3/4 sleeves for a summer sweater. Not as much knitting which might have been the clincher. Next a very shallow neckband and then, dive into the button jar.

But now I’m thinking I need a break from designing so I’m going to knit someone else’s design. I’m leaning towards Nurture by Andrea Mowry for my daughter. I have some dark green wool she would like.

Short and sweet, don’t you think? Has anyone knit this?

And because it’s always good to have a garter stitch project on hand, and I’m sure that I can convert the All You Need scarf by Heidi Kirrmaier into a baby blanket/wrap for the little guy coming in the summer, I’m winding wool today. Whoo, commitment. I have those colours, it’s modular, my favorite, and I’ve been looking at the pattern for months and months. It’s time!

Or maybe … oh, no, STOP ME.

How are you doing? How is your knitting going?

I hope you and yours are all well,

Deb

Any Gauge & Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

Cabin Fever No-Sew patterns

Debgemmellmods ravelry group

These are unusual times and because of that you have probably learned a few things: about how to keep your spirits up, about more practical everyday things, about yourself as a knitter. What have you learned?

I have learned:

1. I need to go outside everyday, no matter the weather or how I’m feeling. Even walking in the rain is better than sitting inside all day. These days this takes an effort because I don’t have anywhere specific to go to but I’m always glad when I open the door and step outside.

2. I don’t need a lot of social contact. I know there is a push to get together online in groups but I am not inclined to join in. I’m quite happy in my own company, big ‘I’ introvert here. The surprise was that I didn’t realize how much I like to go places where there are other people, Apple Annie’s Cafe or the public library are my regular haunts. I don’t actually want to talk a lot, just hello and how ya’ doin’ and no I don’t want to join you but thanks anyway, I just want to read my book over here at this table by myself and nice to see you.

3. I also, besides knitting every day, need to read every day. I probably knew this already but it’s definitely been reinforced. I am alternating between “dead tree” books and reading on my phone. The phone reading is new (I don’t own an ipad). I find it gets old pretty quickly.

4. I am learning to make vegetable soup. I’m not good in the kitchen and this has been hit and miss so far. I am forcing myself to eat the results irregardless of it’s tastiness or lack therof.

5. I am not as much of a sock knitter as I had thought. This was a surprise. I had a sock on the go before all this started and have not had any inclination to pick it up. Not one moment of thinking I should do some sock knitting, despite wearing wool socks every day. Maybe next fall it will come back.

6. A problem I struggle with constantly is how to finish (anything) but right now it’s my Build A Bigger V, A-line version. Once all the design problems are solved I’m ready to put it aside. But no can do. I need a finished project to photograph so I’m watching old videos on my computer to get to the finish line. Guess where I’m at? You got it, sleeves!! What do you do?

7. To keep my mind engaged, so I’m not checking instagram and facebook every 2 minutes, I have given myself another knitting problem: contiguous knitting. I am going to knit a Gauge-Free version. I’ve started several swatches which have not worked.

After each failure I go for a walk. This has been my routine for the last 4 days. It will come, I keep telling myself. Don’t force it. I am nearing something that’s going to work. This keeps my mind busy at 4am.

What are you knitting? What have you learned?

Cheers,

Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by deb

Cabin Fever No-Sew knitting patterns

Debgemmellmods ravelry group for questions and comments

Deb on instagram

 

I would like to introduce the Build a V cardigan for your favourite child. Maybe right now is the time to be adventurous and try a Gauge-Free sweater pattern. That’s right, there is no mention of gauge throughout the whole pattern, ever.  NO SWATCH needed,  YAY. Grab any yarn you love, needles and a trusty tape measure and cast on.

It’s knit flat in garter stitch and then folded at the top of the shoulder line to make a cardigan.

Here’s an overview. The Back Panel  and then 2 Front Panels are knit as separate blocks.

Then … pick up along the sides of the Back and one of the Fronts (along the black line in the schematic) to knit sideways for half the Body.

 

Here are some photos of the Build a V testknits.

Is this beautiful for a little boy? Done in Lion Brand Ferris Wheel, a variegated yarn with a long colour change. Pretty cool looking.

Once the Side Panel for the Body is knit you put side seam stitches on spare yarn so that all you are left with on your needle are the sleeve stitches. Knit your sleeve and voila … half your sweater is done.

Work the other side, fold, sew the sleeve seam and it’s a garter stitch cardigan for your special little one.

 

Is this cute or what?! One of my testknitters did the stash dive and worked in 3 colours. Stash diving at it’s best.

Since there are many distinct blocks of knitting you can play with them and have some fun with colours or maybe even knit the Side Panels with stripes (I wish I had thought of this when I knit my sample).

Thanks testknitters for your work.

I’ve started a NEW Ravelry Group: DebGemmellMods   I’m handy there for answering questions. I’d love to see your Build a V photos. Join me.

Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

Cabin Fever No-Sew patterns

Deb on instagram

Ravelry Group: DebGemmellMods