stalemate
for some reason the theme in this house seems to be 'stalemate', we're still waiting for the a/c to get fixed, no one is giving in and cleaning up around here, I'm waiting on some news that seems to be taking forever, and then there's this jacket business:
we keep getting this grey, ugly weather that is perfect for knitting with some wool. I would be further along with this (the sunrise circle jacket) if I hadn't stopped to think. that little voice in my head started shouting so loud that I couldn't ignore it. I've checked my gauge, the schematics, and the knitted measurements and everything seems fine BUT I still feel like this jacket is going to turn out huge. maybe I'm just not used to knitting a jacket, but the raglan seems way too deep, the sleeves are too long, and that half circle is way too 'something' compared to some of the jackets I've seen finished. the length of the sleeves I can deal with, but that circle and raglan worry the hell out of me. unfortunately this design isn't the easiest to just try on as you go. I've tried, but every time the jacket lays differently. I really wish there was some measurement for the half circles so I could feel a bit better. I'm at that point where I can't tell if it's that the styling of this pattern is not for my body or if I'm just doing something wrong I can remedy.
what am I going to do? here are my choices:
a. trust the pattern and keep knitting....could lead to major fug, much hilarity, and perhaps some tears.
b. trust the pattern, keep knitting, and give it away....can let someone else deal with it, but there's still the issue of my time.
c. finish knitting the second front and mess with the back to get it to fit right.....there's still the issue of the raglan depths and sleeve-surgery.
d. start over, knit the sleeves shorter, and decrease for the raglan quicker.....involves math and I don't really have time for math right now.
e. jump ship and start something else with this yarn....say the urban aran a la jared? can you tell I want some sort of sweater or jacket? I'll have to check the gauge and yarn req's, but I think this rowanspun aran could work.
thoughts? ideas?
in the meantime I need to find a project to take with me on the flight to indiana for tnna. actually I still need to pack and do some homework for a lily chin class I'm in. I'm scared she's going to hit me with a ruler if I show up without my swatches and yarn. but packing a project seems more important right now. do I take a sock in progress, a new sock, or how about some lace? yeah, lace on a plane sounds like a winner to me! I'm pretty excited about this weekend, finally meeting stef after years of emailing, getting to see all the 'big shots' in the biz, hanging out with some bloggers, and meeting one of my favorite designers. oh yeah, and the yarn! all the glorious yarn that's coming out for fall and winter. I'll try to post from the hotel, but if not I'll let you in on the gossip sometime tuesday.
now some random stuff:
check out the pattern I tech edited for stef! you can see another pic here.
thanks for all the compliments on the baby sweater, I felt so much more confident on my choice! as for how to knit it top down....really I just 'reversed' the directions, measured a lot, and dug deep into my knowledge of top down raglans...I'll try to explain better when I come back.
I'm way behind on emails, I'll try to catch up soon! pinky swear!
try not to post too much this weekend, or at least don't let anything too exciting happen! please?!
now I'm off to wind some yarn and to teach the boyfriend how to pack yarn and to show him what yarn is what....god help us all!
Comments
Have a fantastic time at TNNA!
I vote for frog and turn it in to that gorgeous cardigan...esp since the jacket is so hard to try on to figure out if it's "working" or not!
Posted by: Stephanie | June 8, 2006 07:53 PM
oh, i'm so jealous. i hope you have a blast meeting stef and everyone else. i love her new pattern -- that yarn is to die for. but how do you wear a bra?
Posted by: carrie m | June 8, 2006 08:17 PM
I hope you have a great time!! I cannot wait to hear all about it! I'll be salivating in ATL just thinking about it!
I think you have to trust your gut on the sunrise circle. It would SUCK for you to knit it all up & have it be too big!!
Use the force! ;)
Posted by: Leah | June 8, 2006 08:43 PM
Have a wonderful trip! I say start over with the sunrise circle pattern. If you think something's off, it probably is.
Posted by: diana | June 8, 2006 08:52 PM
Have an awesome trip!
BTW: Did you receive my postcard for the Monday give-away?
Posted by: Jennifer | June 8, 2006 09:07 PM
Have fun-can't wait to read about it when you get back.
Posted by: brooke | June 8, 2006 10:40 PM
ooh you're in a tough spot: i dont necessarily want to suggest ripping it all out - with such a crazy construction, it seems hard to guage wether your knitters intuition is as accurate as usual... still, i'm with diana, if you really feel somethings wrong. it very well may be.
or i just think that the urban aran would look f-in awesome in rowanspun... but whatever.
have a great trip!
Posted by: j a r e d | June 8, 2006 10:46 PM
We've all learned the hard way that we should trust our guts. I vote for option E - frog and make the U.A. Have a great time at TNNA!
Posted by: lisa | June 8, 2006 10:58 PM
I hope you have a fun time at TNNA! You're going to bring home a wheel, right??? Right!!
Posted by: caitlyn | June 8, 2006 10:58 PM
I vote for f---have an amazing trip, drool over wonderful yarns, and worry about it when you get back! :)
Posted by: aquaknits | June 8, 2006 11:09 PM
Have fun!!!!! I'm with your gut feeling.. trust it. Although I'm of no help as to what course of action to take. Start the jacket over or start over and make something else.. I'd say, pick the one you think you'd enjoy wearing more!
Posted by: Angela | June 9, 2006 12:38 AM
Trust your inner knitting voice - they are usually right! Is there a KAL somewhere where you could compare measurements? I know I have seen a few completed ones around - maybe post to one of the boards (Knitters Review or Knittyboard) to see?
Have fun at TNNA!!!!!!!
Posted by: Stacey | June 9, 2006 08:07 AM
Hmm - this is a hard call! That pattern is so unique, and like you said, it is your first jacket... if it were me, I would continue knitting, but others say go with your gut feeling... so, we kind of cancel each other out!
I hope you have a great time at TNNA - you lucky girl! Safe travels and have fun meeting and greeting :)
Best wishes,
Lolly
Posted by: Lolly | June 9, 2006 08:36 AM
Wish I could offer good advice for you on the Sunrise Circle jacket. It would be a lot of work, but could you make a paper version from the schematic to get a rough idea of how the size you are doing will fit on you?
Have a great time at TNNA!
Posted by: Amy | June 9, 2006 09:12 AM
Hve a blast at TNNA! Maybe a nice trip will help resolve the stalemate. Hubby and I laugh but we expect June to be shitty. It has been every year we've been together and it is frustrating so I hope you chase the stalemate blues away.
BTW, the urban aran. Can I just say OMG? Thanks for the link!
Posted by: amanda | June 9, 2006 10:00 AM
Sounds like so much fun to go to tnna! Enjoy. Maybe when you come back your ac will be fixed. That really sucks, ac is the kind of thing that gets fixed within a couple of days in my experience. Mission critical. Don't let them get away with this!!! :)
Posted by: hege | June 9, 2006 10:24 AM
I'd put the needles down pronto. Don't you have a raglan sweater that fits you nicely so you could compare the raglan seams? I've been following the kal and read that the jacket will fit very differently once the buttons are put on the right way.
Have a great time at TNNA!
Posted by: Steph | June 9, 2006 12:15 PM
Have a great trip. I'm with Caitlyn - you're bringing home a wheel, right? The boyfriend will do just fine - post-it notes are designed to tell boyfriends which yarn is which! As for the jacket - I say find someone who's knit it and see what they have to say, and then trust your gut.
Posted by: Stephanie | June 9, 2006 12:43 PM
OPTION E! and do Jared's version of the Urban Aran. I am of the belief that fussy difficult patterns are for winter, when one is a shut in, and your metabolism is slower...
Have A GREAT trip you lucky girl!
Oh, and new socks.
Posted by: Liz | June 9, 2006 01:30 PM
hmm...this is a toughie. The suggestion to talk with someone else who has knit it seems good - the Knitty boards are a good place to get some help and feedback. The nice knitters there saved me when I was doing my magic loop socks! Have a fab trip!
Posted by: aja | June 9, 2006 02:25 PM
Can you track down someone else who's finished the sweater to get measurements?!
That pattern you tech edited is seriously cute.
Posted by: Chris | June 9, 2006 08:13 PM
http://sunriseknitalong.blogspot.com/
These gals may be able to help you.
I couldn't find any sizes on Steph's beautiful Hiptee. Can you please fill me in so I can decide whether to buy the pattern?
Posted by: Carolyn J. | June 9, 2006 10:19 PM
It was great meeting you and Steph at Twinkle's booth at TNNA!
Posted by: Amy | June 11, 2006 09:11 PM
Sigh...that Rowanspun Aran is BEAUTIFUL. I'm not sure what I would do in your shoes but good luck with it!! I'm sure it will make something gorgeous in the end - just hate to think of you having to rip anything out.
Posted by: Vicki | June 23, 2006 01:09 PM