27/11/2011

Knitting Challenge

So those of you who know me and my challenges will no doubt be wondering what I'm up to this time.  Well I've given myself a knitting challenge and before you say how on earth am I going to do a 30 day knitting challenge STOP because it's not a 30 day challenge.  I don't think even I'm that adventurous.

Ok so what am I doing?  Well you see I have this pattern by Sirdar which uses the Nomad range of wool.  But I wanted to make it in a chunky wool..........can you see where I'm going with this?  No?  Well I decided to make this cardigan/jacket  with a different wool still by Sirdar but in their Indie range which happens to be very chunky and thick.  I like this pattern because there is no shaping involved - just squares/rectangles for back, fronts and sleeves.  So how hard can that be to knit up?

I made a tension piece with the Indie wool using 5.5mm needles and it came out the same size as the instructions for using the Nomad (15 sts and 25 rows to 4in/11cm in garter stitch) and I thought great here I go.  I have to say the ladies in the wool shop were/are still skeptical as to whether this is going to work or not.

Today I finished the back and it has taken 7 and a bit balls of wool to make (short version).  The challenge is going to be in making up the fronts as they knitted lengthways with 104 stitches and the challenge there is that I can't fit 104 stitches onto my needles so I have decided that I will knit it width ways up (if that makes sense).  However my concern is that I won't be able to get the collar to fall over the way it's supposed to.  

I've started knitting the front today using 28 stitches but I think I may have to shape the collar or just have it without and have straight fronts and then do something creative with the edges - sounds like a plan?  Anyway here is a picture of the back and the start of the front.




Now that you've read what I've been up to why not pop on over to Wendy's Handmade Monday blog and see what everyone else has been up to.

16 comments:

Jam Dalory said...

I'm hopeless at knitting and easily confused by knitting patterns but your challenge sounds particularly difficult. Best of luck with it and be sure to post the finished result. x

Wendy said...

I'm rubbish at knitting - stayed away from it since my teens! But that looks like it'll be fab when it's done x

Ali said...

I with the others here - knitting and me just don't mix! Sounds like a really difficult challenge (made my head spin just reading about it!)

Looking forward to seeing the finished result.

Ali x

Jan said...

I'm not a great knitter and looking forward to seeing your end result, I love the wool, the colour is great.

Jan x

Carolee Crafts said...

Love those muted colours, good luck with the collar hate collars to knit and looking forward to seeing the finished garment

Unknown said...

Anita, it looks lovely, well done for finishing it. Must admit I hate the sewing up part... it has been known to sit there for years!

itsamistry said...

I bet with a little practice you'd all be very good at the knitting. I will post when I've finished it.

Ros - I don't like the sewing up or picking stitches up either but this is really chunky and easy to see where to pick up and stitch.

Handbags by Helen said...

that's lovely wool you've chosen.

Christmas Pie Crafts said...

Lovely wool and it has such lovely finish when knitted up. Look forward to seeing the finished item.

Kat Shenton said...

Knit one, purl one, drop one, cry. That's how my knitting skill goes, so since I can't I wish you all the best! At least you can come away afterwards and feel like you've achieved something. I would end up with balls of wool, randomly lost needles and a need for a drink so you have my support ;)

Whitney-Anne Baker said...

now that sounds really interesting - you've got to promise to show it when you've finished. I reckon you could add something to the collar once it's done.Knit on Girl!

itsamistry said...

Thank you ladies and yes I will post a picture as soon as I've finished it.

LOL Kat I bet you're not as bad as that :)

Whitney-Anne Baker - Thank you I might try with the collar or do something creative :)

Your Friend Susie said...

I can't wait to see the finished project. My sister knits and my Mom did also (I have a few of her things and one day when I have nothing to post I will post some photos of the few things of hers I still have that she made for me). I just never could seem to have the patience for it, but I so admire it. I DO have a knitting machine (2 actually, one Mom gave me and hers) but I have never tried to use them. I think that is on my list of things to finally try in the next year. You all inspire me!

Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...

Great looking texture on the wool, it's going well so far

Helen said...

The wool is lovely, and good for you for challenging yourself.
Can i make a suggestion tho? Have you thought of using circular needles, then you can fit the length on tge needles rather than knitting it width ways? Just a thought.
Best of luck and i look. Forward to seeing the finished article :)

Pickle Lily said...

I agree with Helen - use ircular needles to fit all the stitches on, but use them as you would you ordinary needles. Can't wait to see the finished article, I bet it will be fab.
Jo x