Here it is. My red cardigan. Still not finished. It’s true. Doesn’t it look tantalizingly like it will be ready in two shakes of a reindeer’s snow covered tail? It could almost be worn, you’d imagine. Just the ribbing for the opening to do and a few buttons to sew on. Oh, and that bit at the bottom, with the rather awkward knitting needle sticking out. Shouldn’t take long now.

Sadly, appearances are deceptive.

For the last week, my unfinished cardigan has been sitting in the naughty corner. Sulking, I like to think. We have fallen out.

Sigh.

Sadly, I’m destined to unravel the neckband and the right front. There is a mistake. The pattern calls for a vent/slit at the side seam hem.  The front is shaped, at this point to allow for it. Unfortunately, I put the shaping on the centre front rather than the side seam.

If I was sewing, I could cut off the fabric and resew it in place. Knitting is very sadly, unbelievably unforgiving. Chopping into it with scissors would be a disaster. Stitches would unravel, as if it was a fictional jumper in a child’s story book, with the yarn caught on tree branches, so that the heroes could find their way home through the deep, dark forest.

I was looking more for a cardigan to wear rather than a route finder, to be honest.

Deep breath.

I undid the bottom of the front to see if I could reknit it upside down, but, deep down, I already knew it would show. There was bound to be a tell tale line across it. So only other option is to redo the right front, and the collar ribbing, to prevent it looking an utter mess.

I made the discovery about a week ago. I did the only sensible thing. Threw the unfinished cardigan in the corner, cracked open a box of Christmas chocolates and started a new knitting project.

Do you blame me?

So, yes, never ask a crafter if she is ready for Christmas. Behind the scenes I’m busy sewing and sticking, pinning and tacking other secret projects. I’ll be doing that all the way up to the twelfth hour, because there is always something else I can make. Can’t show you yet. The cardigan I can show you. It is for me. Nothing secret. Should have been finished months ago, but here we are, still looking at it’s unfinished, sorry state.

It’s OK, I’ll get there. I’m calm now. It will be worth the extra effort in the long run.

I very nearly missed my usually Yarn Along post this month. I didn’t forget. No. It was totally down to making little progress with both knitting and book. Thought I’d slide on by to next month. No-one will notice. Instead I’ll hope to add a few more rows, finish a book and join in next month. Then it hit me. It is not remotely honest. I’m only showing the times I make progress. How about the times I just stand still and achieve diddly squat?

So here it is. Same book. Same knitting, which in all fairness has grown but not as much as it should have done in a month.

This is the last sleeve. I’d like to finish it for Christmas. Red cardigan would tick so many boxes as I wish every one good tidings and good cheer, while enjoying a mulled wine and mince pie.

Now admittedly, I’ve not been twiddling my thumbs all month. I’ve made a couple of birthday presents, which have now been given.

First up are the gloves for my sister. This seemed to take a lot longer than usual to knit. I’m still mulling that one over.

I’ve also finished my Middle Teen’s quilt, which is gracing her bed as I write. My reading time was taken up by hand stitching this one. I love stitching just as much as reading. More about this quilt another time.

So maybe not the progress I wanted. I’m pleased with the gifts and loved the recipients’ reactions. It’s good to be back knitting my cable pattern again, with the end in sight.

More progress next time, I hope.

Joining in with Ginny’s Yarn Along. What are you knitting at the moment?