There are some knitting projects . . . that just feel like a black hole. You knit and you knit and you knit and you measure and then knit some more. . . but you never seem to make any progress.
This sweater . . . has landed firmly in That Category.
Sigh.
I truly feel like it will never be finished.
But the only way forward is through. (Or something like that.)
After dividing for the sleeves a couple of weeks ago, I knit several inches of the body before will-I-have-enough-yarn panic set in. (Not only is this sweater a time-suck, it is also a yarn-suck. . . ) (Just sayin.) So I decided to further assess/calculate my yarn situation by knitting a sleeve.
With one sleeve nearly (but of course not really) complete, I remain unsure on the yarn amount . . . but I did go ahead and order more of my main color yarn. I can tell that it’ll be very, very close . . . and I really hate that nagging will-I-have-enough-yarn feeling, which turns a run-of-the-mill slow knit into a stressful slow knit.
Anyway. I know I AM making progress, and that – someday, if I continue knitting – I will be finished.* It just doesn’t feel much like that at the moment.
In the meantime, JoJo and I are happy to get outside for progress-photo-shoots. JoJo loves to pose with my knitting, don’t’cha know.
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How about you? What are you working on these days?
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*A few years ago, I knit the Pressed Flower Cardigan, which is also an Amy Christoffers mosaic design. I love it and wear it quite often. BUT . . . (and you may remember this) . . . while I was knitting it, I referred to it as The Cardigan of Tedium. I think that’s just the way it is with mosaic knits.
Your sweater does look great, but maybe it’s something in the air. I’ve also reached That Point and I’m only working on a Hitchhiker. I think the fact that it’s been 80 degrees here hasn’t helped me and I will welcome the predicted 45 tomorrow. Well done, JoJo!
This sweater is absolutely The Blackest Hole of Knitting! I am plugging away and not even approached the will I have enough yarn stage… sigh. However, when we are done (and we will get done!) We will have the nicest sweaters ever to wear!!
I’m sorry you are having a bit of a struggle with your sweater, Kym. I just don’t even entertain knitting something that is not a straight knit any more. I like the monotony of an easy knit. Your sweater is going to be gorgeous, if that gives you any encouragement, and you look closer to the finish than you feel, I think. JoJo looks so happy in that photo. I you are both doing well.
I did a sweater in a mosaic stitch a long time ago and vowed at that time to never do it again. By its very nature, it does take at least twice as long to knit. You’ve made good progress and it looks lovely….just keep on keepin’ on.
I too love my Pressed Flowers, but I am always amused by “advertising” mosaic knitting as easier because you only knit with one color at a time. Stranded colorwork is so interesting, it just pulls you along (IMO). If we still read knitting magazines, I’d predict an upcoming article on how to knit two rows of mosaic at once 😉
Ah yes, that black hole. I’m very familiar. It truly twists the space-time continuum because you will knit and knit and knit and not make progress — until suddenly you’ve knit past where you were supposed to. Mosaic knitting is rather tedious, but I think it’s worth it. And just think how cozy this sweater will be on that first chilly day this fall! JoJo is looking adorable as usual, and she’s a very good girl to pose with your knitting instead of trying to chew on it like somepuppy I know!
I am nodding my head along with you about the slow progress of mosaic knitting! Of course, mine is extra slow since I haven’t even picked it up in over a week. hahaha!
Funny, I find that mosaic stitch projects often are faster to knit. To me, slipping a loop is much faster than knitting a stitch in a loop. But then again , on the return row, there is the tedium of bringing the yarn over and back on the prior row’s slipped stitches. Guess it’s rob Peter to pay Paul. ha!
Gosh, maybe if you set yourself an x amount of rows each knitting session and knit with a book or knitting podcast along with it? I am doing that with a very long scarf right now and 5 rows is tiny in the scheme of things but does give me the daily (almost) satisfaction of having met my 5-row goal – and sometimes an over-achieving 10! And if you set yourself a long term finish line (like Thanksgiving) there would be less stress in trying to get there in time. AND leave you enough knitting time in the day/week to work on something fun to remind yourself that knitting can be Joyful.
After seeing posts on the Waffle, I am SO glad I am not knitting it! I know it would be languishing in a bag somewhere. LOL. Meanwhile, love the colors in your Waffle and JoJo looks so proud to be assisting. It will be finished in due time (and not a minute before).
JoJo is an able assistant. When I land in “the black hole of knitting” I resort to a clip on stitch marker. Somehow proving to myself that I am making at least some forward progress helps. I’m knitting a garter stitch baby blanket and I try to knit at least four rows on it whenever I sit down to knit.
Anyway, the colors and the texture are such a great match. And I’d have also ordered more yarn.
That sweater is going to be so cool when it’s finished! I can see you wearing it and how fun the look will be even if you finish it after the cold is gone. Next fall, baby!
I just finished my 3 vest (the best way I’ve found to stay warm) and I’m thinking about just hanging with a pair or two of socks for a bit.
:-0 I feel you! I am on the last few inches of a black hole knit that I cast on in November…wishfully thinking it’d be done in December. It should have been but there is something about an allover texture knit 2 row moss stitch) that just draaaaags! (owning that I put it aside…a lot)
Your waffle though is GORGEOUS! You’re almost there! I knit one last year, it was also a black hole , and I finished it however when I put it on I discovered A) it may have been the best fitting sweater I had ever knit! Instant love. And 2) sadly, I also discovered I’d screwed up a line right across my bust so the waffle pattern was lined up instead of offset and it was a sttrong line noticeable by anyoen with eyeballs -something I couldnt live with. It meant tearing back to mid raglan.. I just could not so it became another (almost finished) striped sweater. I know you are going to LOVE yours!