Let’s just say . . . I could feel the love and encouragement from your “cheerleading” as I knit this week (after my cry for help last week). Thanks to you all, I made some progress with my (slog-of-a) cardigan.
(And, yeah. All you get this week is a bad photo on my yoga mat. Because while I will walk the dog in 0-degree weather, I will not pose my knitting progress on the back patio in 0-degree weather.)
Look! A sleeve!
But . . . only one.
Despite that look on my face . . . I have definitely turned a corner here.
How do I know?
- After finishing (well, except for the cuff*) sleeve number 1, I immediately picked up the stitches for sleeve number 2 . . . which is an attitude-adjustment in and of itself.
- Further, when I picked up the stitches for sleeve number 2, I picked up EXACTLY the number I was supposed to pick up right out of the gate. (And that never happens for me.) I’m taking that as a sign of Smooth Sailing and maybe even Good Things To Come.
- Then, two things have been weighing heavily on my mind the entire time I’ve been knitting this monster: (1) Will it fit? and (2) Will I have enough of the contrast yarn to pull this off? I have reached the point in the project where I can answer a hearty YES to both of those questions. And that, my friends, is a huge load off my mind.
- Next, I have begun contemplating buttons for the first time. And that is a true sign of hopefulness for an actual finish in the future. A future that will require buttons.
- Finally, I have also begun serious plotting for my next project. As opposed to just whining about my current one.
Progress. I’m making progress.
As in . . . it FEELS like I’m making progress.
And that makes all the difference in the world.
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As for the *cuff? I’ll wait until I have both sleeves and the button band finished before knitting the cuffs. Although I’m pretty confident I’ve got the length right, I want to make certain I have the length right before committing to the cuffs.
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How about you? How goes your “making” this week?
Kym! It is going to be such a stunning sweater! That is the most perfect marriage of yarns ever… they are delightful together! (and yay for picking up stitches success!! I might suggest the purchase of a lottery ticket as well! Ha!)
Hurray!! It looks great! Love the half photo, such fun. Fit is spot on.
I let the distraction overwhelm me this week. Cast on (and knitted quite a bit) of a 21 Color Slouch hat, from Blue Sky Fibers, purchased at Bliss Yarn in Nashville over Thanksgiving Break while visiting my kids. Got back to the Central Park hoodie and blissfully knitted along– for two extra repeats. Had to pull back 20 rows to start the armhole… 😉 That’s what distraction will do to you!
Your expressions in those photos — hilarious! I think picking up the right number of stitches on the first try is such a rarity that it has to be a good sign. I expect we’ll see that second sleeve finished quite soon. I’m not sure I noticed how pretty your contrast yarn was until this morning, and it’s just lovely. The sweater is going to look amazing on you!
It is indeed all working out and the sweater looks marvelous on you Kym! It will be a stunner once finished. I’ve been baking and stitching rather than knitting…I need to pick it up a bit!
Kym, your writing up the journey of knitting this sweater is hilarious. I love a good laugh in the morning! The sweater is gorgeous and beautiful on you.
Look! A sleeve!…So funny! And also so true. That sleeve can represent so much perseverance, persistence and skill mastery (not to mention blood, sweat and tears). Next time I run into a wall I will share my frustration like you did. Obviously, it works!
Your sweater is looking great, and picking up the right number of stitches for the second sleeve is definitely a Good Sign, along with winning at yarn chicken and considering buttons. But my real question is where is JoJo and why is she not in the yoga mat photo? Please give her a nose boop from me!
The sweater looks great and hearing you’ve turned a corner both figuratively and actually is great news!!
You’ve got this!!!! Your sweater is looking good.
What an attitude change since last week! You are beginning to see the light at the end of he tunnel! (Oo, can I throw in some more cliches?!) The sweater looks great, looks like it fits perfectly (what are the chances?) so I score this one a success. Good on you.
That’s a great length–and it looks great on you already!
It looks amazing on you Kym.
Doing a little catching up! So glad the cheering squad helped because that’s gonna be a winner!!
Look at you go with the sleeve! And I adore your face in that second photo. I have that same yoga mat but mine is black with a gray mandala.
it looks great, Kym – YAYAYAYAYYA!!! (and that last bullet point. yes, I can relate. and yes, it’s almost time!)
Hooray for the winds of progress. Yes to picking up the right number of stitches the FIRST time. The sweater is a perfect fit and I love the photos. Please do not pose for outdoor photos in such cold temperatures. The contrast yarn has such pretty shades of color. Keep on knitting – you are getting close.
That is going to be a GREAT sweater – it already looks good on you. I am knitting a hat, and trying to decide whether to wind the yarn for a sweater I’ve been plotting, or start another (whose yarn is already wound — actually the very one you are showing us) OR to start another, more complicated hat that has been waiting in the wings. My mojo is for sweater #1, but I made a last minute decision to change one of the colors, and that yarn isn’t actually here yet. So finishing like a good girl for now. . . Not sure why this is the year of the hat for me, but it is.
I don’t think I have ever picked up the same number of stitches the second time round whatever that is, ever. How wonderful! Hope the second sleeve is not a slog.