The Sprout Grows (And Other Sweater Tales)

Yes, it grows a little bit at a time.  I'm now working the waist shaping.  Let's hope I can plow through this quickly.

My first-ever sweater took me over 10 years (granted there were years when I didn't even touch the thing as it sat hibernating at the back of a closet).  Have I ever shared this?  It's from the book Big Knits (I remember Dawn French was one of the authors.  I think it is now out of print).  I must confess that I'm none too pleased with the terrible seaming job, but I got her done.

First-Ever Adult Sweater

When I made my Short-Sleeved Ribbed Cardi from Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits (which is neither ribbed nor short-sleeved), a year became the new benchmark.  I know I shared the trials and tribulations possibly here  and definitely here.

Long-Sleeved Cardi Sans Ribbing

Let 2010 be the year of speed!  A year is no longer the benchmark.  In January I started a project for Bernat (called the Swingy A-Line Cardigan) and finished that in two months.  It's gotten loads of compliments and is one of my favorite sweater coats to wear on a cool morning.

A-Line Swingy Cardigan for Bernat

My second adult sweater for Bernat ( called the Fair Isle Cardigan) also took about two months (sadly that item is awaiting buttons--maybe some nice black toggle buttons would work well). 

Fair Isle Cardigan for Bernat

So if the past year is any indication, I've gotten much, much faster at making sweaters for myself. **does happy dance**  Of course, working on a deadline imposed by someone other than myself is a great motivator. 

The Blue Sprout has until the end of August  to reach completion. . .  ;)

Faster Knitter, Knit Faster

Dear knitting gods,

Hear my pleas (and speed is of the essence): help me knit faster!

If I were faster, I could make more stuff. And I could wear my finished item in the season it was meant to be worn. No more finished sweaters in summer or completed tanks in winter.

Right now it takes me two weeks to complete one sock; one weekend to make a child-size hat; one month to make a child-size sweater (and that's if I'm giving her all I've got!). Let's not talk about some of my other projects that have languished in the work-in-progress pile (I won't even mention the sweater that took 10 years to see completion--10 years! I kid you not).

Part of my problem is the finishing. I love the actual process of knitting--the simple physical act of pulling loop through loop, hearing the clickety-clack of those metal needless . . . it's pure bliss. The sewing of seams and weaving of ends, on the other hand, zaps all motivation (suffice to say its knitter mojo killer).

My other problem is my need to be perfect. I don't want to make mistakes (like missing increases or decreases, messing up a pattern or dropping stitches). So I carefully write out steps for my addled brain, and count and re-count stitches to make sure I haven't skipped anything.

So please great knitting gods, for the love of all that is soft and colourful and full of fibre goodness, bestow upon me the gift of speed. Make me knit faster--and please hurry! :O