It’s never a great feeling when you suddenly realize you haven’t been paying attention to a pattern at all and have gone far beyond what you were supposed to in terms of next steps. UGH. That’s where I’m at today.
I’m making Uniform, Build Your Own Cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hoge with a Tidal Sands Epic Fade Bundle in fingering weight from La Bien Aimee. For this cardigan I’m holding the yarn doubled to get the right gauge. I’ve been waiting and waiting for the right project to use with this yarn and I love this pattern because it is more like a recipe with lots of customization. You can make a longer or shorter length. You can have no shaping, A-line shaping, or waist shaping. You can have bell sleeves or regular sleeves. You can have patch or inset pockets, and you can have a shawl collar or not. Great, right?
I was going for longer length, A-line, with inset pockets, regular sleeves, and I hadn’t yet decided on a collar style. That was dependent on how I felt toward the end and whether or not I had enough yarn. But I’ve blown by the spot to begin the A-line shaping (about 10 inches ago) along with the spot for inset pockets (also many inches ago) and the one that’s not optional is the beginning of the front shaping that turns this into a V-neck cardigan (luckily only several inches ago). What the heck?!
No idea what was happening in my brain as I just kept on knitting with this gloriously beautiful yarn, making a larger rectangle of squishy merino goodness. Apparently I completely forgot I was using a pattern. Time to rip some of this, folks. I think I’ll be ok on yarn amounts to swerve and do a no-shaping more oversized option than I’d previously planned. I’m ok with a more oversized sweater, no sweat. I previously chose that version to make sure I’d have enough yarn and now that seems like it will be ok, but I’m also going to double check gauge/math/etc. before heading down another potentially disastrous path. Seriously, must have been hypnotized by the yarn.
This makes me want to put this project in a time out and cast on socks, yet I also really want the sweater…
I can see why you were knitting without considering the pattern- the yarn is gorgeous. I’ve had that happen before with really amazing yarn. The knitting itself is so fun that I forget there’s an actual goal besides entertainment in the moment. I guess the bright side is that you get to knit that yarn for longer?
Absolutely! I will try to lean into that positivity and be grateful for more time with the yarn.
I’m hypnotized by the yarn! Its brilliant and the transitions are marvelous!
You may be able to add the inset pockets still – do a cut like an afterthought heel and let the interior yarn be contrasty and peek out!
That’s a good suggestion! I think I’m totally fine with patch ones though. I ripped about 3 inches and am back to v-neck decreases. Full speed ahead!
Cassy!! OMG! I was thinking an inch or maybe two. 10 inches?? I am laughing but not at you. I think we have all done something along these lines, but your comment about forgetting you were following a pattern really cracked me up. This is definitely a testament to the hypnotic beauty of the fabric you created.
Right?! Luckily since this pattern has 3 shaping options I decided to default to the no shaping option that lets me rip just 3 of the inches to get back on track. I seriously spaced out.
Blame it on the yarn fumes, girl!
I LOVE the colors of this!!!
You always make me smile! I have done this…I now know that, in doing so, I enjoyed a great time “in the zone”, and who can knock that? Knit on…..
10 inches! That is crazy long- the yarn is amazing though, so I can’t say I blame you. Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
The colours are super gorgeous – I’d be distracted, too, I think. Maybe afterthought pockets would be an option, if you can’t have the A-line shape anymore?