Tag Archives: secret project

Slayed

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Call me Buffy Summers, because I’ve slayed the vampire. OK, that’s a little dramatic, but man, does it feel good to be finished with my Vampire Project!

OK, I’m not technically 100% done with it.  I’ve finished the knitting portion and it’s blocking away in my studio (I’ve even got two fans pointed at it, in the hopes that it dries sooner than later).  As soon as it’s dry, I’ve got a little finishing to do; some ends to weave in and some last-minute additions.

It’s a huge weight off my shoulders- I was starting to worry about getting it done in time, but I think I’m good (unless it takes more than a couple days to dry).  And, I’m so stinking pleased with how it turned out- it’s massive and absolutely gorgeous (I really wish I could show you now… but unfortunately, I have to wait until next year).

Now that I’m done, though, I feel a little at loose ends.  You know that feeling when you finish a big project, or get done with finals, or get through a big stressful holiday, suddenly you don’t know what to do with yourself?  Maybe I’ll break out a non-knitting craft, or maybe I’ll read a book, or maybe bake something fancy… I’m not used to having options!

Have you finished any big projects lately?

All Work and No Play Makes Allison… Something Something

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I’ve been working my butt off on another Super Secret Project.  It’s not just a new pattern, either!  It’s going to be amazing!  I’m so stinking proud of it (although I’m currently between the point where I’m 90% sure that it’s utter garbage, and the point where I’m 100% sure that I’ll never actually finish it).

In short, I’m feeling a little like Jack Torrence from The Shining.  (But more caffeinated, less murder-y, and covered in yarn.)

I know, I know, it’s a total First World Problem, but this is my blog, so I get to complain about whatever I want!

The worst part is that I can’t share it with you yet! Even though I’m almost done with my part of the project, the whole thing won’t be done for months, so I’ve just got to be patient and keep my fingers crossed that everything works out.

In the meantime, I’m keeping my head down and chugging away on my part of the project, trying to be as quick and accurate as possible (and to have as few typos as possible- ha!).

And, when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I look at pictures of puppies and other people’s gorgeous finished projects, and daydream about when I will be able to work on any project I want… sigh…

Anyway, that’s why the “Here’s what I’m working on” posts have been a little sparse lately.

Are you working on anything new and exciting?  (Or old and boring… I’m interested in those projects, too!)

Well, it’s done, I guess

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Phew!  It’s done!

Well, 99% done.  I still have to weave in some ends on my cursed project, and it’s got to finish drying out (it’s blocking right now).

And, I’ve gotta say, it turned out…. OK.

I love the pattern; the textures and the cables are great.  I love how it looks, sitting on the table, or pinned out for blocking.  But, I gotta admit- I don’t love the fit.

I tried it on when I finished knitting yesterday (after ripping the neck back several times-because this is the cursed sweater, after all).  And, I don’t know what happened with the measurements- I swear my math is right, so on paper, this sweater should fit like a glove.  But, instead, it’s too tight, and the sleeves are too short!  How on earth did that happen?!

As far as I can tell, I probably messed up in one of two ways:

  1. My gauge is off, or my math is somehow wrong.  In which case, I can fix the written pattern fairly easily.  However, I refuse to re-knit another stitch on this sweater.  If this is what happened, I’ll just have to find someone skinnier and shorter than me to take this prototype.
  2. I designed this sweater to use some really stretchy stitches- stitch patterns that block out almost twice as wide as their unblocked counterparts.  I got gauge off of a blocked swatch.  In theory, simply blocking this sweater will make it fit.  In theory.  I really hope that this is the problem.

Fingers crossed!

Have you ever finished a big project and ended up less-than-thrilled about the result?