Thursday, April 06, 2006

Odessa......An Odyssey......

ETA: I just found out I won a gift certificate to KPixie from the KAL, what a luck of the draw on that!


This was an odyssey of knitting adventure..read on ;)
Cast on: I love the long-tail cast on...I usually can measure and estimate amount needed, being short a few stitches is easily remedied by knitting a couple on, 1st time...needed to knit on like 20...frog...2nd time...way too much tail left and I was afraid I would run out of yarn...frog...3rd time..a little too much left, but not so bad...so knit on...

Knitting: The beginning ribbing part went fine after 1 false start, completed 1" as pattern states..Then discover to my dismay...no #6 x 16" needle needed to start pattern..really thought I had one, so order one (a little yarn fell in cart too ;) as no one locally has the size. After a failed UPS delivery attempt (why...they were in my neighborhood...I saw the truck??), needle received. I attempted to use Denise set...yarn went wonderfully off the needles, but being 17" instead of 16", hard to move the stitches...let alone the bamboo needle I waited 1 extra day for...hmm don't like the join...had to keep stitches a little looser to get around.

Starting the pattern was fine, it truly is an easy pattern to follow, basically K's, SSK's, YO's etc. However I do not suggest trying to count, pay attention to a pattern while chatting with fellow Knitters at knit nite... :(! Frog 1...totally.
Attempt 2, knitting along, get past 2nd beaded row...pattern off..Frog 2.. a few rows, start again..Get past 2nd beaded row again pattern off by more stitches...tried to frog to ribbing only, no luck...frogged entire thing and...had to cast on again (4th time, yarn is getting a little tired of this) So knit on, small problem, only off by one stitch, SO THIS TIME I KNOW IT IS A YO...CAREFULLY remove 3 rows to fix...2hrs later... :) . Knitting right along, KNOT in my yarn...normally not a problem, but when you have X amount of beads still to use...Waaa! restring beads and knit on..Near the end of decrease round, join of needle...unable to get yarn across..the last set I have to do even! Said needle is on probation! ...So if you have made it this far reading...you deserve a prize...Late last nite, in barely enough time, finished work is below!


Pattern by Grumperina,
here Rowancashsoft in Sage- 1 skein, pearl colored beads

It truly is an easy pattern, but one must pay attention to detail, as the swirling effect is made by the specific YO's and SSK's...my poor needles wanted to purl so badly. I love it, and have another beaded skein waiting....however, a tiny bit short so DD is loving it, while I will make my next one with 2" of ribbing instead...oh yeah, and pay more attention to detail!!!! This was an exercise in patience to say the least...I could have stopped, but thought, if I stop now, an easy pattern, what am I going to do in the future....It tells me I need to pay attention more, stay focused on what I am doing, and not fall asleep while knitting ;)

Thanks for reading :)

17 comments:

aija said...

Sweet! Great choice of color & beads.

lynnm said...

Looks Great! I love the color combination. I have a beaded project waiting in the wings but this might take its place.

Karen said...

Dare I say, it was certainly worth all the effort??? It looks so lovely!!!

turtlegirl76 said...

It's a bitch of a knit, but totally worth it in the end. It truly felt like magic as I knit mine. So neat how the pattern takes shape. You did a nice job!

Knittypants said...

The hat looks great! And your commentary was funny, I always end up doing the same thing, have to frog 3 or 4 or more times before I get it right!

Rain said...

It looks fantastic. I love the colour.

Ragan said...

Your hat is beautiful! I love it, it is great!

Anonymous said...

Very nice job! I end up in similar troubles if I try to knit during a really good tv show, can't seem to just put that knitting down! :)

Zonda said...

I don't know about perserverance or stubborness in my older age lOl! I was not going to let this kick my butt!! The swirl pattern is what drew me to it. My neck and shoulders and upper back are so stiff and sore right now, I tell you...it was a race to the end (for the KAL). The next one should be a piece of cake LOL!

Zee said...

Zonda, this one is really, really lovely! I can't wait to knit one for myself. :)

You did an excellent job! :)

Anonymous said...

You did a great job! Congratulation!

cpurl17 said...

Zonda,

I'm admiring the GORGEOUSNESS
of Odessa!! Your daugther is a lucky gal!

Jerry & Maxy said...

Oh so pretty!! Way to persevere!

Anonymous said...

WOW! That is worth the effort- it's lovely!

String Bean said...

It looks super! (you have to say "super" like you're French, so 'soup-air'). I'll tack this on to the end of my "I want to knit this" list.

Elspeth said...

How gorgeous! The color and beads look great together!

Bonne Marie said...

Gorgeous Hat!

Oh yes - combining knitting lacy thingies is as hazardous as a three martini first date...

I was working on something this Thursday at our KIP and OOPs - not even two rounds into my piece I was fiddling and foul mouthin' i - it was a good thing I always have a sock in my coat pocket to calm me down...