Knitting Fearlessly...or even with fear

Denise Jackson wrote

on Dec 10, 2009 3:48 PM

I finally finished my dad's sweater! I spun the yarn from a Lincoln/Targhee ewe fleece and knit the piece up. I finally learned to do needleless cables, otherwise I'd have no hair left. I did steeks as well. The whole adventure scared the living daylights out of me, but I did it. I'll need to adjust the neck a bit, but that's easy.

Pepeyla wrote

on Dec 10, 2009 9:29 PM

Beautifully done.  I'm envious and can't wait to do some serious knitting over the holidays.

Pepeyla

tiensdirect wrote

on Dec 17, 2009 3:24 AM

Hey that is really nice, you got it right. I hope your dad loves it. great job

sarahandus wrote

on Dec 20, 2009 7:24 AM

That is absolutely beautiful!  Great job. 

you inspire me to have a go at an aran sweaters again. 

1985Cutlass wrote

on Dec 20, 2009 9:37 AM

Wow!  You have more guts to tackle something like your dad's sweater.  I still have a phobia about making a sweater fresh from my brain.  I think what you've done is magnificent!!!!!  Keep up the nice work!  Makes me have an encentive to give it a try!

Lisa (aka my1985cutlass)

Denise Jackson wrote

on Dec 20, 2009 2:52 PM

I used Excel and colorfully chart every cable pattern on a separate pages. As I finished a specific cable pattern, I checked off a box on that Excel page. I made fewer mistakes, those I made I could usually fix (I dare anyone to find the ones I didn't).

I used the following websites for learning needless cables:

RIGHT-TWIST CABLE:  http://www.grumperina.com/rightcable.htm

LEFT-TWIST CABLE:  http://www.grumperina.com/leftcable.htm

They are easier to follow than some and have fewer stitches hanging out in mid-air. I do teach my beginning knitters how to do this. Some are able and do it, some are not willing yet. But they all can see it done.

LoriM@25 wrote

on Apr 20, 2010 8:30 AM

Beautiful sweater!  Your dad should be very happy wearing it!

I thought you might like to see a video of knitting without cables.

There are actually many videos on this site and I would recommend a look-through just to see if there's anything else of interest.  

The cable knitting video is under the "Decorative Stitches" section. 

http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques

LoriM@25 wrote

on Apr 20, 2010 8:32 AM

LOL.

I meant to say "knitting cables without needles" rather than "knitting without cables". 

I guess I should have actually read what I wrote before I posted.

cathymoore wrote

on Apr 20, 2010 11:01 AM

Could you explain more about using Excel to keep track of what you're doing? Thanks.

Denise Jackson wrote

on Apr 20, 2010 3:22 PM

1. I put separate pattern blocks on separate pages on Excell. It was just easier to flip a page for the next pattern block than to read across a long sheet.
2. I then made the pattern block stitch cells the same size by adjusting the font if needed. Cable blocks I merged.
3. I put dots in for the purl stitches and left them blank for the knit stitches. There are knitting symbols available, but ...
4. For the directional cables, I color coded them. I'm a visual person that way. I had to then go back and trace the sets of stitches to make sure I had them right.
5. I did this for each of the pattern blocks. 
6. You can see the green stripe on the right where I kept track of every row and then checked them off. 
7. As I completed pattern repeats, I marked the squares on all the sheets differently.

cathymoore wrote

on Apr 20, 2010 5:14 PM

Thanks so much for your quick reply! It's very kind of you to share your expertise with me and many others. I can't wait to try this. You rock!

ZassZ wrote

on Jul 9, 2010 10:20 PM

Dear Denise,

Your dad's sweater looks very nice.  He looks pleased as punch.  I can see in his picture he is very proud of you.  I wonder if you remember how much time it took from start to finish.  Not that it's a contest, just wondering if you worked on it straight through or do you work on more than one project at a time?  Thanks in advance if you get a chance to answer this. 

Denise Jackson wrote

on Jul 19, 2010 6:32 PM

ZassZ,

After I got the roving back from the mill (sent in May, back in June) I spun it up all summer and into the fall. Mind you, I had to keep my interest going and at times switch to different projects.

Knitting was a different story. I sucked up the courage to do the cables and charted while I spun and was mentally ready by the time the yarn was spun.

Overall, it took about 1-1/2 years. I had to take a couple of months off for an injured finger. I'm a picker and hurt my index finger - right where the yarn passes. With Band-aids (or sticking plasters) I was back on track.

I've had to adjust the neckline with some elastic thread. No big whoop; EZ suggested it in one of her videos. It works.

ZassZ wrote

on Jul 20, 2010 5:50 PM

 Hi Denise,

Determination.  Nice to see your picture of the final project.  Well, that was an idea well planned.  I agree that when reading the pattern and charting it really does help to visualize & get a mental picture of it.  One of the hats I did for my daughter called for a little elastic on the brim as well to make the required fit.  It's a very handy item.  Glad you finder is healed and let us know what your next project is? 

Denise Jackson wrote

on Jul 21, 2010 1:35 PM

My present projects aren't as ambitious. I'm done spinning a Columbia fleece for a throw blanket I'll be weaving.

I'm also taking it easy and knitting an mobius scarf. I've tried the cast on many times, but finally got it by watching this video: