Hi everyone and happy Sunday! I can’t believe it’s been 5 weeks since I’ve checked in with a Year of Projects post! Where did November go? Year of Projects is a group of bloggers who plan their projects for the year and then blog about their progress weekly, usually on Sundays. You can find my list for the year here.
My list does need some updating, I definitely underestimated how much work I get done! I didn’t want to include too much because I want to actually meet these goals, but I definitely could have gone a little bit further haha. With 30 weeks left in my shortened YoP year, I’ve already participated in 2/3 test knits, made 3/4 socks, did the MKAL, have done 16/22 blanket squares, and made 1/2 adult garments. Soo…. I think we’re doing pretty good haha. I’ll bump each of those goals up a little bit, since a lot of what I have on the needles/ planned to finish by early 2022 will contribute to those goals.
All of my knitting this week has been on my newest test knit, I cast on last Sunday after getting the pattern. This pattern has you knit the short sleeves first, then cast on and knit the body bottom up. I finished the sleeves on Wednesday, and cast on the body on Thursday. I’ve been working steadily on it since then, I got through the 3.5 inches of 1×1 rib last thing on Friday so had been pretty steadily flying though the body section. Well, this afternoon, one of the other testers asked about the sizing and it turns out all the stitch counts for the body were incorrect. By like.. a lot. I had a feeling it was a little small, but since I originally had chosen a size up, I was not too mad about it, was just just planning to give the feedback that it ran a little small. But someone else asked about the sizing so thankfully we are able to get it corrected. I mean I’d rather have a top that fits me, so at the end of the day I’m glad I’m tearing it out but it made me sad to erase 4 days of work. This is why we test though! It’s actually ever happened to me before, so that’s a pretty good track record given that this is my 31st test knit!
There was actually a funny story from today about the sizing. I was at church and trying to distract a 6 year old during our budget meeting. I told him I was knitting a sweater and held it up to me. He was immediately like “It’s too small!” and well turns out he was right! So I have yet to re-cast on because 3.5 inches of ribbing AGAIN seems too daunting right now. I actually thought about casting on the other test that’s due in March, but that has the same construction, so it’s ribbing no matter what I do. Sigh. I’m taking a nice break to write this post, update my YoP list, read some blogs, and cook dinner; then I’ll start again tonight.
I’m excited about this week, I have this Friday and next Monday off. On Friday my sister and I are going down to NYC. We’re seeing Eurydice, a new opera, at the Met and I’m super stoked about it. She has to head back after the show, but I’m staying Saturday night as well, and thinking about going to the Met art museum on Sunday. Then, on Monday, my mom, aunt, maybe sister, and I are baking Christmas cookies. When this happened in 2019, my mom and aunt made more than 700 cookies, and I’m so excited to do this with them!!
Happy Hanukah to all my Jewish friends today, and I hope everyone has a great week! I might check in Wednesday for an Unraveled Wednesday post, but if not I’ll check in eventually.
UGH! That is a lot of ribbing to rip out and do over. But, if you want it to fit……..Too funny about the little boy at church seeing immediately that it was too small. Hire that child!
Oh no… that’s no fun but best to do it now before finishing. I’m with Marsha, that young man needs to be hired , lol.
I’m glad you enjoy test knitting and I’m sure designers appreciate it. I just can’t handle deadlines. Plus, I prefer to knit already vetted patterns – so thanks from me too. Sounds like a wonderful weekend coming up. Congrats on already completing so much of your plan.
Yeah testing is definitely not for everyone, this is my second garment test this year that has slightly tested my patience so I may pause for a bit but I do love being told what project to work on next when I can’t make a decision!
Ugh, that’s frustrating about having to rip out the bottom of the sweater, but better to have a sweater that actually fits. I know your pain… I had to do the same thing with a test knit sweater I was making, though in my case the sweater would have been MUCH too big. It hurt a bit to rip it out, but I’m much happier now to be able to use the sweater! Still, your fit-to-rip ratio (only 1 out of 31!) is pretty darn good!
Ah yes I remember you having to do that! The things we do for testing and good fitting garments lol
Yup, but on the other side of things, I love it when a pattern I buy is well-tested!
I guess the positive point is you weren’t mostly done before you found out about the sizing issue? It’ll be much nicer to have an item that fits, despite having to frog so much 🙁
Bet on Women indeed! Sorry you had to frog, but glad you will have a garment that will fit. Yes test knitting happens for a reason, and good on you for being a test knitter. I have done a number in my time but never an adult sweater.
Augh! That would be so frustrating! But yes, it’s better to have a top that fits. Also, better to discover it now rather than when it was farther along! Love your mug!
Ouch! So sorry about the ripping out. That was a lot of work but after a little break you’ll get back at it and catch back up in no time. That was too cute what the little boy said…he was a little soothsayer! LOL! NYC sounds wonderful and so does the cookie baking! Enjoy!
What on earth do you do with 700 cookies? I love cookies, but even I couldn’t eat that many.
It’s rubbish having to undo all that work, but I bet it will be worth it when you get the end and have something that fits you well 🙂
haha! Well between my mom and my aunt they host a few different parties, give them away as Christmas gifts to friends and family, etc. Thankfully my direct family is not responsible for eating all 700!!
Oh no to unravelling all that ribbing and having to re-do, what an observant kid to have noticed. 700 cookies…ooh that’s a lot, where do they go?
They go to various family members and friends, and to a few community events my mom and aunt go to.