Projects for the future (Knitting edition)

[totchipanda]

I forget WHY i was in an old notebook (the past couple days kinda blend together), but I saw a reference to Knitting Comfortably, a (large!) book about knitting ergonomics, written by an ergonomicist. It was about taking stock of your projects and diversifying needle sizes, stitch patterns, yarn weights, etc. I did start it, and according to my early Google doc, that was... 2 months before apartment flood/pandemic. So obviously that was NOT a priority.

It did get me thinking about future projects and what I want to be working on. I had decided some months ago that I wanted to work on a variety of things, and only one (or two) TYPES at any one time. So like, one pair of socks, instead of three or four. One shawl, instead of 17. One sweater, instead of several awwaiting sleeves. And I decided I need to hand write this list, so I refilled my fountain pen and started writing.

Definitely Yes Projects

Sweaters

Yellow Sweater (Cascade Heritage Sock)

I had picked out a pattern for this, but then the designer showed her ass online and I no longer care to support her, even with using patterns I've already purchased. I think I will make a plain sweater for every day wear.

Maema Cardigan (Ancient Arts Socknado)

Yarn purchased 2 years ago. I almost picked this up to start a couple months ago before realizing that I had some Big Projects upcoming and would not have time to work on this.

Throwback/Throwover (Patons Classic Wool)

Picked this yarn out and purchased it LITERALLY the day I was sent home. I have enough for the throwover version, but I kinda like the cardigan version better. But the cardigan version requires one more ball of yarn, which I do not have and kind of don't care about acquiring? (I can't get it locally, so it would need to be ordered online, and in which case I might need to buy LOTS of yarn to make the shipping worth it, and budget hasn't allowed...) Perhaps I do make the cardigan, but I plan for and attempt steeking? (for the non-knitters, it's securing and intentionally cutting your project, it's terrifying and something I want to do). Maybe I could eke out enough to put a zipper in instead of buttons? It's a thought.

Accessory Sets

I enjoy knitting socks, they're an ideal travel project, and I prefer shorter socks that cover my ankle but don't rise too high on my leg. 48 rows (12 ribbing, 36 pattern) gets me pretty close to perfect. But those also use only half of a full size skein, so what do I do with the other half? Accessories! I have one set of socks and mittens from the same yarn and it delights me to no end when I wear them at the same time. So I can do mitt/ens, a headband, maybe a smol neck thing like a cowl...

I made Roomie M a pair of mitts and matching headband, and I would like one for myself. So that's a definite yes, even if I haven't quite decided what yarns to use. I also want more fingerless mitts for those days when I want warm hands and available fingers, for some reason I have only ever knitted one pair, 10 years ago, of which one is missing.

Shawls

Ziggy (Yarn Ink)

This is a very lacy pattern and I like to let lacy items shine with a less complicated yarn. This also fits into "diversify" because I don't have a lot of lacy projects on the go atm.

In Progress

I currently have 2 shawls in progress (one was for a knitalong that has now ended and I am nowhere near close to finished; the other was purchased early lockdowns and it's not a very FUN knit, even if it is INTERESTING), one pair of socks, a baby blanket. One crocheted blanket I haven't touched in 2 years, and a scarf project ready to start, a large Grogu plush.

Maybes

I have 2 very colourful + 1 plain skein for a shawl project that I had started and frogged. Lots of single skeins that have no plans but perhaps may one day be more shawls (I really like knitting shawls). Two sweaters that were frogged. Another sweater-quantity that I had thought for a colourwork project, but that really requires a stickier yarn.

Comments

[atherleisure]

I haven’t had the nerve to try steeking yet. It’s a terrifying idea. I always try to have a plain project and a more complicated one going at once. I’m not good at more than that, but it’s an interesting idea, especially for those whose only craft is knitting.

[totchipanda]

I think one complicated and one easy is also a good plan. I am TERRIFIED to try steeking, which is all the more reason why I should do it :D

[danabren]

I was told that you run machine stitching along either side of the proposed line before cutting it.

And then someone else lost their mind at me for even considering the very idea of steeking. Which made me want to do it, of course, but that will require I actually finish the sweater ;)

[totchipanda]

That's one way, and apparently the only way to do it with a slippery yarn (like superwash merino). I think my chosen project is grippy enough to do the crocheted yarn up the steek section. Either way, terrifying!

FINISHING a sweater, don't make me laugh XD

[danabren]

I have finished two sweaters! One got mixed in with regular laundry during a flea infestation (sob) and came out shrunken and felted. That was heartbreaking. The second is in the attic and has been worn once? Twice? https://photos.app.goo.gl/DM9fHyhxFoyRY6Kw5 it was a Ravelry pattern for using up all of the remnant sock yarn.

The cardigan is, however, quite another story. Ho ho ho.

[totchipanda]

I was having a go at myself, really lol. My roommate was making fun of me earlier this year bc from his perspective, i made a bunch of vests and then decided to add sleeves to them, when really it was that I had made a bunch of sleeveless sweaters XD

I like your sweater! RIP to the shrunken one ;___;

[danabren]

Sorry, it's hard to read that sarcasm font when it's in Canadian ;)

RIP indeed, that wool was super spendy and super yummy. Oh well.

[marianme]

Nice list

[totchipanda]

Thanks :) And thank you for the DW points!