Yep. The final Niebling of my knitting career. I decided I just can’t knit certain things anymore due to the arthritis in my hands. I’m a bit sad, but resigned. I mean, I can still knit! But, not everything.
For instance, I thought I lost a favorite glove (a Snapdragon). I was bereft, not for the glove per se, but for the fact that I couldn’t knit its replacement. I really doubt I could do ten fingers on those tiny needles!!
Jesien is supposed to be easy as Nieblings go. Right off the bat there was a pattern error. Okay, regroup and move on. On infamous round 123, another error. I wasn’t sure which direction to go, so I threw caution to the wind and went off the grid. Mistake. Huge. Had to rip back. But, you can’t rip out 750 sts! It would disembowel if you just pulled out the needle! So I inserted a smaller needle through each stitch 10 rows back…and it actually worked!! Jesien was saved.
I figured out the issue with the pattern and soldiered on. I had ideas on how to “jazz up” Jesien, but in the end went old school. Sometimes simplicity is best. No sense in gilding the lily.
I used Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Cotton, which some look down upon, but I have liked knitting with it before.
I measured every point for consistent distance from the center and the next point. If you don’t do that, it’s noticeable.
Pre-blocking:
So, if you see me knitting another Niebling, chalk it up to “007 Syndrome” — never say never!! 😉
PS to Suzan: Cotton is particularly hard to knit! But, it was weird. My wool Mulled Cider killed my hands. It was very rustic yarn. Soft merino is easier on my hands!!
PS2 to Annie: Good luck with your cataract surgery. I just had both eyes done in March and April. Still can’t see! They zapped my eyes with a laser last Thursday to help improve my vision. I’m hoping it will get better soon.
PS3 to Renee: More about cataracts. I think it’s weird that most eye surgeons tell people who have been near sighted their whole lives to become far sighted. I had lasik surgery 16 years ago ago and had mono vision: right eye near vision, left eye far. My husband did it and hasn’t needed glasses since! My brain kind of fought it: the near eye blurred the far one and vice versa. So I opted for glasses…pretty weak ones actually. I can see to my bathroom mirror and dinner plate perfectly and can pass my drivers license exam without glasses. I decided to keep mono vision for my cataract lenses because it’s what I’m used to and I didn’t want to give up what I had. I had hoped to get multi-focal lenses (the expensive ones) but discovered you can’t get them if you’ve had lasik!
Your Jesien is spectacular. Even the unblocked piece is beautiful and looks like a bas relief. You do such meticulous and beautiful work.
Comment by technikat — June 3, 2021 @ 3:45 pm
Beautiful! I am happy you finished it, but sad that it is your last. Damn arthritis!
Comment by Penny — June 3, 2021 @ 7:49 pm
Sorry it’s your last – but a lovely finish. The way those center leaves layer over one another is a pleasure! Congratulations
Comment by Pam — June 4, 2021 @ 2:27 am
That is just plain gorgeous. This specific pattern, particularly. Arthritis has its ups and downs. (Weather, diet, etc.) Maybe one day there is a glove replacement still there for you – if you severely limit the time you spend on it. Maybe 5 rows per day. Or maybe that takes all the fun out of it. In which case when one door closes, another opens, and all that…Life can really be a bitch, so sorry this is one of those times. But I know you will rise above it, Susan!
Comment by Chloe — June 4, 2021 @ 5:27 am
This is absolutely gorgeous and how you did this amazes me, a 50-year knitter! I doubt I would tackle this due to the concentration demanded! As to whether or not this is your last, well, it may not be time to make such a final decision, but I am sorry to hear about your arthritis.
Comment by pt — June 4, 2021 @ 8:12 am
That is absolutely beautiful!
Comment by Anne — June 4, 2021 @ 11:17 am
I love it! Beautiful work – and blocking – as usual . . .
Comment by Mary Mathieson — June 4, 2021 @ 11:47 am
It’s gorgeous. Of course. For me and my arthritic hands it isn’t so much the tiny needles as working with cellulose fiber. I just can’t deal with cotton or linen any more, so now it’s all protein all the time for me.
Comment by Suzan Katzir — June 4, 2021 @ 11:49 am
So beautiful even unblocked. But blocked – amazing! I don’t know if I ever could have knit one. I have crocheted with thread. My grandmother taught me with size 20 thread. (She never crocheted with yarn.). I may try that again, after my cataract surgery next month, lol. Aging can be so annoying. Kudos on another great Niebling!
Comment by annie — June 5, 2021 @ 1:39 am
I have a comment about cataract surgery. I have always been nearsighted, and my ophthalmologist told me that most nearsighted people are happier if they stay that way after cataract surgery. I did much reading about this. Someone wrote that after his cataract surgery, his vision was 20/20. He could see a bird a mile away, but he had to put on glasses to cut his fingernails. It was more important to me to see what was right in front of me (such as my knitting) than to see a bird that was a mile away. So, when I had my cataract surgery, I had my eyes corrected for near vision. I can read fine print and see close items very clearly without glasses, but I need glasses to drive and for distance. The ophthalmologists automatically think that everyone wants 20/20 vision, but several of my friends have done the same thing as me after I explained it to them. All are pleased with their decision.
Comment by Renee Kaplan — June 5, 2021 @ 9:07 pm
It is simply beautiful, Susan. The background fill stitch pattern is a delight. Of course, the leaves are, too. Thanks for the tip on blocking, just the sort of thing that takes a project to the highest level.
Comment by twinsetellen — June 9, 2021 @ 11:10 pm
Spectacular work! But so sorry about your hands. Why do our bodies have to age so painfully? My cataract surgery was find, but I developed double vision! The prisms in my glasses eliminate the double vision but I have a very difficult time with close work
Comment by Gail — June 13, 2021 @ 1:41 am
What an incredible swan song – or not. Frankly, I think not <3
Comment by Pru — June 18, 2021 @ 5:40 pm