I am notorious — notorious — for putting knitting projects aside before they are finished. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I hate knitting sleeves. Maybe it’s because something new and more interesting (for the moment at least) came along and pushed it aside. Now, I often do go back to these projects (which I have nicknamed head start sweaters) and finish them although I confess many do end up in a sort of knitting oubliette never to be seen or heard from again. (An oubliette was a French dungeon with an opening only at the top so there was no escape. It comes from the verb oublier to forget.)
Today, I’m going to share three sweaters that have been put aside but are not in the oubliette. I expect to finish all three within the next few weeks. For realsies! You will see them in all of their raw, unblocked glory.
First up: Tapestry Wrap designed by Marie Wallin and knit out of her beautiful British Breeds yarn. This was the project for her Fairisle Club 6 and you may remember that Susan made it as well. I finished all of the knitting months ago. But I realized I needed additional length for the collar lining and I just never got the motivation to undo the bind off and knit those extra rows. I finally made myself do it and now I need to weave in ends and actually sew the collar lining down. Here is a photo. Sooooo close to being wearable.
Next up is Hinterland by Jennifer Steinglass. I am on the hem and then I have the dreaded sleeves. The sleeves in the original pattern are patterned at the cuff and I can’t decide if that’s too much or not. That’s my excuse for not finishing but I plan to steamroll ahead. I’m using the Fibre Company’s Arranmore Light in the color Meara for the background and Spincycle Dyed in the Wool in Salty Dog for the color work. I did a provisional cast on at the neck so I guess I have to figure out how to finish that, too. Sigh.
Last, but certainly not least, is Tia Teva designed by Carol Sunday. It’s a really interesting pattern that places fair isle in short row sections. I’m using Carol’s Eden yarn in Twig and Storm. I’m on the sleeves. I started one, thought I’d made a mistake (which I hadn’t — d’oh), and ripped back. When I picked up the sleeve for the second time, I didn’t like the pick up I did which is why poor Teva ended up near the oubliette door. However, I love the pattern and plan to make myself finish the sleeves ASAP.
So — does anyone else have a knitting oubliette?
I have a few in time out. One I pick up once a year. Your post gives me some motivation to actually pick it up for a bit.
Comment by Sharon Featherstone — November 29, 2021 @ 8:00 am
Probably a drawerful:). Especially right now as I am stuck on a project that I am trying not to turn into an oubliette because it is so darn cute. I love using oubliette for “forgotten” knitting, but am horrified by the original use of the term. What man does to man, etc. All your projects are so gorgeous and time-consuming I certainly hope you can finish them, Sally.
Comment by Chloe — November 29, 2021 @ 8:32 am
You are SO close to the finish line on all 3. You’ll have immense satisfaction once they’re finished (plus a new winter wardrobe). I usually only like to do one project at a time, but I have terrible “look there’s a squirrel” at the moment, so have about 4 projects on the go but hoping not to oublier any of them…
Comment by Wendy — November 29, 2021 @ 9:52 am
I’m with Wendy! Too easy to be distracted by the new, shiny object! My obliette is so forgotten it hasn’t been started! I have the yarn for TiaTeva and just love the design. Once I get through the holidays, and some family obligations, I hope to be able to focus on some fun knitting.
Comment by Lv2knit — November 29, 2021 @ 9:59 am
welll, now that you mention it, there are a couple of items that have made it close to the door but not quite in…sort of “hibernation”, you might say….but this winter is the time for them to be freed…what that means ,….we shall see!
Comment by Susanne Scheurwater — November 29, 2021 @ 11:49 am
Yep, I’ve got a large, square Shetland lace shawl that only needs the last side done. I discovered I made a mistake in one lace section in the other three sides, so I got stuck. Hoping to finish it this year.
Those are all lovely sweaters and *so close* to being done. Do you ever work both sleeves at the same time? It can get a little twisty, but all the shaping is guaranteed to match. Also, it’s great for the plain stretches.
Good luck getting to the finish line.
Comment by Anne C. — November 29, 2021 @ 5:25 pm
I had to laugh because if a master knitter such as yourself has UFO, then finally you and are equal knitting buddies! I have a blanket that is worked on yearly for the last 5 years, which I now don’t even like, but I have sunk costs in it and need to someday finish. I have various other yarn skein, bundles and kits that have been bought as shiny objects, soooo I tell myself that there WILL BE NO NEW YARN darkening the door of my knitting room until these are all on needles. ha! That pledge won’t last and we all know it. The way I finish sleeves, (can’t believe I am thinking I can advise YOU), is to use 12″ circulars and meet with knitting buddies and knit away. They go fast and the beautiful sweater can then be done, worn and loved. Good luck!
Comment by PT — November 29, 2021 @ 8:42 pm
I learned the word oubliette from the movie Labyrinth back when it was Elder Son’s favorite movie (he was about 3 or 4 at the time. Your use of the term tickles me!
Comment by kmkat — November 30, 2021 @ 10:24 pm
Thinking about the neck on Hinterland. For both of my Bohus sweaters, I also started with a provisional cast on, and opted to just knit a very few rows and bind off for a nice rolled neck edge which certainly did not detract from the beautiful yoke. Sometimes ribbing seems (for lack of a better word) coarse. I advocate for plain sleeves, and like knitting sleeves.
Your Marie Wallin is beautiful, and I’ve fondled Susan’s. I was not as fond of this year’s design, so opted for an Oregon vest instead.
Comment by Susan Fahning — December 3, 2021 @ 11:17 am
What a clever idea about the rolled-neck edge. i will keep that in mind if I ever do a sweater worth that tiny bit of extra work. For the most part I am drawn to the rusticity of deeply ribbed necklines and sleeve ends. Although that idea of ribbing being coarse was instilled in me at an early age, also!
Comment by Chloe — December 5, 2021 @ 9:54 am
Meant to add: Luckily there is room in the knitting world for Everything!
Comment by Chloe — December 5, 2021 @ 9:58 am
Beautiful sweaters!
Oh, and my oubliette led a previous life as a silo. It’s half-full.
Comment by Emm — December 5, 2021 @ 5:19 pm