Hope you had a great holiday. We spent a lovely day with my husband’s family. John’s dad is not doing very well and is currently in a nursing home. My FIL is one of my favorite people and it is hard to see him suffer. He was able to spend the afternoon at home, which we were all very happy about. He is frail and may not make it to the next holiday so it was special for everyone.
On a knitting note:
I realize that not every project can be a masterpiece. This one falls into the ‘non-masterpiece’ category. But, it is done and therefore deserves the recognition of a fait accomplis.
Here is my Tea Leaves Cardigan — nothing left to do but let the puppy dry and sew on the buttons.
Tea Leaves Cardigan in Madelinetosh Worsted, Color Kale
Overall Grade: C+
Yarn: C+ (hand-dyed yarns are lovely, but very annoying to work with…pooling, mismatched skeins, etc.)
Yarn Softness: A (it became VERY soft when I wet it for blocking — some would say, too soft 🙁 )
Pattern: B+ (the designer places the buttonholes on the left front, which I changed)
The Fit: ?? (it needs to dry); I think mine will look like it is too big
I was discouraged and almost gave up on this one, but somewhere along the line I decided to finish this as just something to wear — a nice, over-sized cardi that you can throw on to go to the store or walk the dog. I decided to put buttons along the entire buttonband (instead of just two at the top) and will perhaps put up another picture once they are actually on the sweater.
Sorry to hear about your FIL. I lost my mom not too long ago and whether it’s a direct parent or not, it’s hard to watch them suffer.
I’m glad to hear you decided to trudge on with the cardi, because your right, it can be *just something to wear* and might end up being that fave something to wear when you just want anything on 🙂
Comment by Kimberly — April 5, 2010 @ 8:34 pm
I suspect you might be grading too strictly.
Comment by surly — April 5, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
What is your “not so great” could likely be someone else’s “best I’ve ever done”. My feeling is that it will have a style all its own. My sincere sympathies for your father-in-law.
Comment by Chloe — April 5, 2010 @ 11:51 pm
It really is hard to see your loved ones suffer. I’m so sorry that his health is not good.
Your cardigan will probably get used quite a lot, especially if you don’t have to worry about spilling lattes on it (maybe you don’t spill stuff like I do). I think it looks very nice–those handspuns are not all that photogenic sometimes. 🙂
Comment by Kay - From the Back Yard — April 6, 2010 @ 7:24 am
Susan, your FIL is lucky to have you for a DIL, just like you are lucky to have him. I’m sorry he isn’t well, and hope his journey through this stage of life is peaceful. I adore my FIL, and I can only imagine how you are feeling.
I agree with Kay – sweaters that are OK but out of soft yarn get worn a lot – no need to really worry about spilling on them, so you will be in it all the time when hacking around. Enjoy it for what it is!
Comment by twinsetellen — April 6, 2010 @ 8:44 am
Susan- I feel the same about handdyed yarns- they are lovely in the skein, but don’t always translate to a garment.
Comment by Lorraine — April 6, 2010 @ 9:11 am
All my knitting projects go through a love-hate relationship so I know what you mean. Sometimes it just doesn’t seem right when it’s blocking. Maybe the wearing will change that. And if it doesn’t, my suggestion would be to gift it. As others have posted, this is a really cute little sweater and it looks like it will be fun to knock around in. Sorry about your FIL.
Comment by Ruth — April 6, 2010 @ 10:08 am
Give it a chance! Maybe you will fall in love with it once it dries. Can’t wait to see a pic of it in action! Good idea putting buttons along the entire front.
Comment by Allyson — April 6, 2010 @ 11:59 am
Sorry to hear of the not- so- delightful experience, especially because I bought the pattern and have it coming up soon from my to do list.
Comment by Nancy J — April 6, 2010 @ 5:54 pm
i have this sweater in my queue, and have some madtosh special ordered for it.
i too hope that your relationship with your sweater will improve as you get to know it better.
not every knitting thing should be a masterpiece. some things need to be for everyday.
Comment by dana — April 7, 2010 @ 11:53 am
I love hand-dyed yarn. To look at, that is. Every time I lose-my-head and try to knit something with hand-dyed yarn, I end up tearing it out. I’m just going to arrange my skeins of hand-dyed yarn in artful ways and be done with it! Your sweater looks lovely. I hope you like it better after blocking and buttoning.
Comment by Kym — April 7, 2010 @ 4:19 pm