If it was me, I would probably swatch some other increases before ripping anything, see how MUCH better I prefer something else. I do think it will look good if you keep going, but if you won’t be happy it’s worth the extra effort
I actually noticed the increases in your top picture and wondered what they were, so to my eye it is noticeable. I think you should rip it, mostly because I know you and I know in the long run it will bother you. You won't be a slacker if you keep going, but I think you will always question it. A couple of extra hours now will save you in the long run.
Your color choice is so amazing I am considering stealing it.
I read "The Lost Girls of Paris" and loved it.
Lastly, thanks for the recommendation of "Vienna Blood", I wasn't aware of the show and I have PBS Passport.
I don’t blame you for soldiering on. I think I would too, I still can’t figure out gauge using any of the standard explanations. Neurodivergent. So I alter patterns to my knitted gauge🤷🏻. I just read this Substack post and think I would consider embellishing the increases with embroidery. https://open.substack.com/pub/sandirosner/p/playground-a-book-that-made-me-think?r=elybz&utm_medium=ios Good luck, glad to be here.
Embroidery would be a lovely accent along the increase lines, but I know my own style well enough to know I wouldn't often wear a sweater with that embellishment. The pieces I wear most are plain and simple.
Well, I am curious as to what you have decided on the sweater. We’ll likely learn in this week’s blog. Whatever it is, you need to be pleased with the stitches to support the beautiful yarn in a way that makes your heart sing!
Speaking of singing, The Lost Girls of Paris!!! I sing the author’s praises. What an amazing story and book. I loved listening to to. Thank you so much.
I also offer the idea of Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake. Helen Mirren reads it. A wonderful story!
I loved Tom Lake! But the audiobook I listened to was read by Meryl Streep, and she was brilliant. I'll bet Helen Mirren is also a great reader. I've never listened to an audiobook narrated by Mirren. I'll need to look for one—she is such an amazing actor.
I'm with Ilana, if you are still wavering, swatch some different increases and block. Then you can make an informed decision. Small Things Like These is one of the best books I've read in the past few years. I almost didn't start it, thinking it would be a horrific Magdalen Laundries expose. So glad I did! Off the pour another cut and listen to the podcast while knitting!
Despite all the time you’ve put into it, I think if it’s still in your mind this much then (sadly) it’s probably time to frog. It’ll stay in your head as you move down the body and won’t ever quite leave you. While the time spent is worth continuing, the brain space use tells me you will eventually frog. Might as well do it now.
I’m trying to finish a sweater for my husband and a sweater for my son, but I just cast on Lia lykke’s Fisherman’s Sweater (for me! Which is rare) and I don’t want to put it down. It’s so fun, and the fabric is so squishy. It’s hard to put down!
M1 is my go-to increase for stockinette stitch - easy work and relatively unobtrusive. While kfb is easy to work, it creates a little bump at the base of the second stitch, which I don't always like the look of. It also makes doing the math for the pattern more difficult, since the kfb consumes a stitch at the same time as it adds a stitch. The M1 sits cleanly between stitches.
But that's one of the wonderful things about knitting: there is nearly always more than one way to do a thing, and each knitter gets to choose which method they prefer.
Sometimes these "mistakes" yield positive results. Keep at it, Sandi. The sweater is going to be beautiful and those valleys will make an interesting pattern. I am so glad you enjoyed The Lost Girls of Paris. I recently finished The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. I think someone must have recommended it here (was it you?) because I had a long wait for a copy from my library. Wow! Another novel with multiple narrators and so expertly done. The narration is fantastic. So if you haven't listened to it, you'll want to put it on your list. And I love Vienna Blood, but after waiting so long for Season 4, I was disappointed that there was only 4 episodes. Disappointed because, yeah, we binged ;-)
I'm a perfectionist, too - yet ironically also have a high tolerance for some types of mistakes (I'm a musician by trade - a LIVE musician, not one in the alterable recording studio). In my recordings, I have a bottom line for acceptable amount of cracks or little glitches that will be published for the general public to hear. These "mistakes" are things that I can hear, but not many other people can. In the case of knitting - you're right - how close is anyone else going to look at that increase? You certainly won't be looking down at it as you wear it. You know what this all means, don't you? You're going to have to knit another one in a different color combo, with the other type of increases :)
I rarely knit the same thing twice (unless it's something like a hat), so it's unlikely I'll do it a second time. But I can make a note to spend some time swatching increases to see how they look on the purl side. After all these years, it's kind of surprising that I don't have a "mental file" with the relative merits of various increases in reverse stockinette stitch. Definitely a knowledge gap that needs filling.
I would probably knit a bit more (even though there are time constraints) with increasing doubt about the increases, then Frog it! Swatch the increases, then put it back in the basket for version Ii. If it’s going to be a sweater you wear all the time (& what’s not to love about that combo of yarns?) you should love the increases, too. I’m looking forward to next week’s letter to hear what you decided to do!
I thought I was comfortable with continuing on, but now I'm re-thinking. Will I be disappointed if I continue? Will I feel like a slacker? I'm only 20 rounds away from finishing the yoke increases.....
Oh, such a tough call. (You are Definitely not a slacker!!) I used to call myself a “fudge knitter” because I was always devising creative ways to compromise, or fix my mistakes. Turns out I rarely wore anything I knitted - because of that. In the last few years I took some classes to improve my knitting skills & now I almost always frog - no more fudging. And I’m not saying your situation is fixing a mistake, because it’s not. What’s your bottom line? Are you going to love those increases as much as you love the pattern & yarn combo? If the answer “it doesn’t matter” then forge onward. If that’s not the answer, then take a deep breath & ….. ribit. 🐸
I'm a perfectionist when I'm designing for publication, but when it's just for me, I have a HUGE tolerance for compromises, irregularities, and downright mistakes. In general, I think we're entirely too critical of our knitting. Because we're so close, we see things that no normal person looking at us out in the world would see.
Glad to see the sweater. Keep going with the increases. Often we have columns of increases on Ragland sweaters. Ygey will also soften over time and after blocking…
I'm so glad you've started your sweater. I liked the sweater that inspired you & can't wait to see how yours turns out. Loved Code Name Helene so will be looking for the Jenoff book.
If it was me, I would probably swatch some other increases before ripping anything, see how MUCH better I prefer something else. I do think it will look good if you keep going, but if you won’t be happy it’s worth the extra effort
Good point
I actually noticed the increases in your top picture and wondered what they were, so to my eye it is noticeable. I think you should rip it, mostly because I know you and I know in the long run it will bother you. You won't be a slacker if you keep going, but I think you will always question it. A couple of extra hours now will save you in the long run.
Your color choice is so amazing I am considering stealing it.
I read "The Lost Girls of Paris" and loved it.
Lastly, thanks for the recommendation of "Vienna Blood", I wasn't aware of the show and I have PBS Passport.
Recommended book:
The Nightingale: A Novel
Kristin Hannah
Excellent book!!!!
Thanks for the recommendation! The Nightingale is on my list (along with The Women and other books by Kristin Hannah).
I don’t blame you for soldiering on. I think I would too, I still can’t figure out gauge using any of the standard explanations. Neurodivergent. So I alter patterns to my knitted gauge🤷🏻. I just read this Substack post and think I would consider embellishing the increases with embroidery. https://open.substack.com/pub/sandirosner/p/playground-a-book-that-made-me-think?r=elybz&utm_medium=ios Good luck, glad to be here.
Embroidery would be a lovely accent along the increase lines, but I know my own style well enough to know I wouldn't often wear a sweater with that embellishment. The pieces I wear most are plain and simple.
Well, I am curious as to what you have decided on the sweater. We’ll likely learn in this week’s blog. Whatever it is, you need to be pleased with the stitches to support the beautiful yarn in a way that makes your heart sing!
Speaking of singing, The Lost Girls of Paris!!! I sing the author’s praises. What an amazing story and book. I loved listening to to. Thank you so much.
I also offer the idea of Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake. Helen Mirren reads it. A wonderful story!
I loved Tom Lake! But the audiobook I listened to was read by Meryl Streep, and she was brilliant. I'll bet Helen Mirren is also a great reader. I've never listened to an audiobook narrated by Mirren. I'll need to look for one—she is such an amazing actor.
I’m sorry… it was Meryl Streep🤦🏻
Take care
I'm with Ilana, if you are still wavering, swatch some different increases and block. Then you can make an informed decision. Small Things Like These is one of the best books I've read in the past few years. I almost didn't start it, thinking it would be a horrific Magdalen Laundries expose. So glad I did! Off the pour another cut and listen to the podcast while knitting!
Thanks for weighing in, MaryLou! And I'm so pleased you enjoyed Small Things Like These. It is simply a great little book.
Despite all the time you’ve put into it, I think if it’s still in your mind this much then (sadly) it’s probably time to frog. It’ll stay in your head as you move down the body and won’t ever quite leave you. While the time spent is worth continuing, the brain space use tells me you will eventually frog. Might as well do it now.
I’m trying to finish a sweater for my husband and a sweater for my son, but I just cast on Lia lykke’s Fisherman’s Sweater (for me! Which is rare) and I don’t want to put it down. It’s so fun, and the fabric is so squishy. It’s hard to put down!
Thanks for weighing in. And congratulations on starting a sweater just for you!
I am not the m1 stitch’s biggest fan. As soon as I see a pattern with m1r, m1l, I’m out. I’m more of a kfb kind of a girl 🙂
M1 is my go-to increase for stockinette stitch - easy work and relatively unobtrusive. While kfb is easy to work, it creates a little bump at the base of the second stitch, which I don't always like the look of. It also makes doing the math for the pattern more difficult, since the kfb consumes a stitch at the same time as it adds a stitch. The M1 sits cleanly between stitches.
But that's one of the wonderful things about knitting: there is nearly always more than one way to do a thing, and each knitter gets to choose which method they prefer.
Sometimes these "mistakes" yield positive results. Keep at it, Sandi. The sweater is going to be beautiful and those valleys will make an interesting pattern. I am so glad you enjoyed The Lost Girls of Paris. I recently finished The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. I think someone must have recommended it here (was it you?) because I had a long wait for a copy from my library. Wow! Another novel with multiple narrators and so expertly done. The narration is fantastic. So if you haven't listened to it, you'll want to put it on your list. And I love Vienna Blood, but after waiting so long for Season 4, I was disappointed that there was only 4 episodes. Disappointed because, yeah, we binged ;-)
I keep seeing the Briar Club pop up everywhere, but with your recommendation, I'll have to add it to my list!
I'm a perfectionist, too - yet ironically also have a high tolerance for some types of mistakes (I'm a musician by trade - a LIVE musician, not one in the alterable recording studio). In my recordings, I have a bottom line for acceptable amount of cracks or little glitches that will be published for the general public to hear. These "mistakes" are things that I can hear, but not many other people can. In the case of knitting - you're right - how close is anyone else going to look at that increase? You certainly won't be looking down at it as you wear it. You know what this all means, don't you? You're going to have to knit another one in a different color combo, with the other type of increases :)
I rarely knit the same thing twice (unless it's something like a hat), so it's unlikely I'll do it a second time. But I can make a note to spend some time swatching increases to see how they look on the purl side. After all these years, it's kind of surprising that I don't have a "mental file" with the relative merits of various increases in reverse stockinette stitch. Definitely a knowledge gap that needs filling.
Love Vienna Blood!
Keep on keepin on. You’ll love it when it’s completed.
Thanks for the vote of confidence!
I would probably knit a bit more (even though there are time constraints) with increasing doubt about the increases, then Frog it! Swatch the increases, then put it back in the basket for version Ii. If it’s going to be a sweater you wear all the time (& what’s not to love about that combo of yarns?) you should love the increases, too. I’m looking forward to next week’s letter to hear what you decided to do!
I thought I was comfortable with continuing on, but now I'm re-thinking. Will I be disappointed if I continue? Will I feel like a slacker? I'm only 20 rounds away from finishing the yoke increases.....
Oh, such a tough call. (You are Definitely not a slacker!!) I used to call myself a “fudge knitter” because I was always devising creative ways to compromise, or fix my mistakes. Turns out I rarely wore anything I knitted - because of that. In the last few years I took some classes to improve my knitting skills & now I almost always frog - no more fudging. And I’m not saying your situation is fixing a mistake, because it’s not. What’s your bottom line? Are you going to love those increases as much as you love the pattern & yarn combo? If the answer “it doesn’t matter” then forge onward. If that’s not the answer, then take a deep breath & ….. ribit. 🐸
I'm a perfectionist when I'm designing for publication, but when it's just for me, I have a HUGE tolerance for compromises, irregularities, and downright mistakes. In general, I think we're entirely too critical of our knitting. Because we're so close, we see things that no normal person looking at us out in the world would see.
Glad to see the sweater. Keep going with the increases. Often we have columns of increases on Ragland sweaters. Ygey will also soften over time and after blocking…
The Paris book sounds great!
Stay warm..
Thanks!
I'm so glad you've started your sweater. I liked the sweater that inspired you & can't wait to see how yours turns out. Loved Code Name Helene so will be looking for the Jenoff book.
Enjoy The Lost Girls of Paris!