The bottom is supposed to be hemmed and you can either knit it together or sew it. I chose to sew as I just wanted to keep knitting and couldn't be bothered to pick up and knit together. I'll probably regret that decision later when I'm all finished except for the wrist lining.I started on a size 2 needle, which got the gauge specified in the pattern in stocking stitch, then around the 3rd leaf, I decided to give the size 3 needle a try as I had a 18cm circumference instead of a 20cm. Fortunately I have skinny wrists/hands. I stopped knitting on it for a few days because of busy family holiday events and a couple gifts that needed to be whipped up.
The picture above is a little blurry (this is the part with the size 2 needles), but you get a close look at the stitches and can see how even/uneven they are. That's where I came to a standstill; when I started to critic my tension. I do this every time when I do color work.
Here's a picture where I've used the size 3 needles. I can't decide if it looks much difference. The stitches are a little bigger, but I think they look less even.
Here's the palm. So.... what do you think? Am I over scrutinizing my work. Do I just keep going? Frog it and re-knit it all on size 3 needles? Relax?(BTW: Carrie K, I did exactly the same thing as you and posted the pics only to discover a mistake I had missed)
I really enjoy knitting these and I completed this much of the mitten in an hour or two. Why do I take away the joy from my knitting by scrutinizing each stitch? I'm happily knitting away and then I start to stress about whether I'm doing a good job or not. I think I've taken too many technique classes and need to get over it.
So, tell me what do you think?
8 comments:
i think only you can decide for yourself. if it bugs you and you think you can do better and have the time, then maybe re-do. if something bothers you now, it'll likely bother you later on and what's the point of doing something if you're not happy with the end result?
i sometimes drive myself nuts striving for perfection even though i'm the only one who will really care and/or notice.
Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes (to the contrary), "He [Buddha] would say that roads are for journeys, ma'am, not for destinations." (Anna and the King).
perhaps some knitters like knitting for the activity while others like it for the finished article (& some a mixture of both). i feel (internal) pressure to live with my mistakes and enjoy the journey, when the fact is, i just want perfection.
not sure if that helped, but i feel your pain. good luck, whatever you choose.
I agree! You need to relax and get over it.
I think it looks great and what little "bumps" there are, will come out in the blocking.
I think you're over-critiqueing it too. They look good! Any irregular stitches will even out in blocking/wearing.
I think they are pretty. It's hard to see in the photos, but providing it's wool I'm sure it will block out very evenly and look even nicer.
Happy New Year Sweetie Pie - we def need to set a date to get together again too.
Meanwhile - don't take anymore technique classes for awhile, LOL,
but...
if you think it'll block and even out - and many little discrepencies do, then keep going. but, ... I'll email you the quote I'm putting on the top of the sheet for the class I'm teaching (ack!!) starting next week - but the jist is, if you make an error - rip it. Just go fix it.
Fix the errors. But a discrepency in tension IS NOT AN ERROR! it's part of hand knitting, and often will even out in blocking - most often, and you know it.
And m'dear, you know that it IS hand knitting - if you need machine knitting tension maybe you want to look into Brother?
take it easy on yourself.
(she says after ripping the neckline on Kilkenny for the third time today - didn't work out the mod's on paper first, so had to work it out in the knitting,)
Your mittens are gorgeous. Don't obsess! I am also a Wisconsin knitter and I have been enjoying finding other wisconsin knitting blogs. You may be interested to know that the Madison Knitters Guild, of which I am a member, is hosting an all day Knit In on March 8. We will have classes to help you learn new techniques. Lily Chin is the featured speaker. Advance registration is required for the classes. More information is at www.madisonknittersguild.org. You can find the details on the website under the March 8 event on the calendar.
You know, I've given up trying to get my mittens perfectly even. You know, after your block them, the uneven-ness lessens. And, hand made is not machine made. You will love your mittens on your hands, or the recipient will also love them. Some of the unevenness may also be due to the yarn. Some yarns give me more even colorwork. (or maybe I am just knitting better on some projects!)
You could come to the Knit In on March 8 that is sponsored b y the Madison Knitters' Guild! Lily Chin will be the keynote speaker. There will be other classes, and food, and door prizes AND a market with 20 vendors!! You can ask the other knitters about whether they go for completely even colorwork. We'll have a great time!
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