I am chugging along at the Delancey Cardigan at a decent pace. The yarn is so wonderful to knit, and I love that Alexis Winslow provides detailed instructions.
However, there have been a few moments of user error. I sometimes forget to click the row counter and then have to count some rows to catch up. I have been speedily knitting and then I realize I was supposed to start the stripes about 10 rows back. I have also forgotten to decrease many times on the shoulder sections or back section and I ripped back for those because I don’t mind a little reknitting, and I’m a sucker for perfect decreases and increases. If it’s too difficult to just drop down a stitch and fix the mistake I riiiiiiiiiiiippppppppp with abandon. I have ripped back small sections at least 10 times now.
One night I was staring at the pattern, counting my stitches and decreases, and I should have had about 8 less stitches. I stared, I counted, I stared. Then I realized I was looking at the row for the smaller size. Um, highlighting or circling your size in the pattern is most useful for overly tired baby-doesn’t-sleep-enough-at-night-so-I-don’t-either brains.
One evening, after I had ripped back one of the shoulder sections at least 3 times that day, I put it down for about 24 hours. I started some plain stockinette socks to soothe myself. Many sites and books talk about the importance of babies learning to self-soothe. I don’t know how I did it as an infant, but as an adult it often involves some stockinette.
As you can see in the picture above, I managed to finish both shoulders and pin them to seam up until I noticed that I forgot to make the last set of stripes.
I may or may not be able to wear this sweater this season, but I will finish it and not abandon it until it starts to get cold next year, like I have with several other sweaters. But right now, I must frog a bit.
I think a couple of imperfections add character! The colours are lovely, and it’s going to be gorgeous when it’s finished 🙂
Oh yes, I found a long time ago that highlighting is essential, even for those of us without babies : )
By the way, your knitting speed is amazing!
I agree about self-soothing with stockinette. Having stockinette projects also assures you’ll have on-the-go knitting readily available.
You’ve flown through that sweater so far (or so it seems to me) so I have no doubt you’ll finish it in no time. 🙂
oh dude, i feel your pain! It’s looking lovely though!! 🙂 Highlighters are a must – it would be good if I also followed my own advice too! haha!
D’oh! Can definitely say I’ve been there too. My non-knitting friends ask me if I do more tinking than knitting. What can I say? If I know there’s a mistake, I can’t live with it. I’m sure tired new mommy brain is not helping your situation, but I think you’re on the right track with stockinette soothing.
Looks amazing, and with all your effort thus far, will feel good fixing the stripes, too….could have happened to any sleep deprived knittin mum.
I admire you for knitting and persevering whilst being a mum of a little cute baby. I reckon knitting calms you, soothes you so you can mother and soothe your baby, who is probably calmer as a result.
Keep it up, look forward to seeing the finished project soon.
Would duplicate stitch be faster?
Already fixed! I fixed it last night. That part was pretty fast. I was just shaking my head and sighing at my silliness.
I’m totally with you. I’ve been making a cookie a sock pattern and I’ve done so much ripping. I’m so used to chugging along that I completely forget that the pattern constantly changes!! Good luck
Just add a pin to fill the space. Something in red or blue should be perfect… It looks so lovely!
Oh, boo… no fun! But this is SO cute! I can’t wait to see this on you! It’s adorable!
Amazing. You have it fixed already!
Highlighters are a must! A can’t believe how fast you knit – I started a jumper and all I’ve done in a week and a half is the rib.
Wow, I admire your determination!
I think that placing a decorative detail in that white area would be lovely! Maybe an ELABORATE C!