I’m a great believer in taking on something that frightens or challenges me, once in a while. Not all the time, because that would be plain exhausting. Most of my career, I’ve applied for jobs that have taken me out of my comfort zone. I tend to throw myself in and not take the easiest route.
Not that the challenges have to be big. Anything that acts as a tall enough hurdle counts.
It may not sound like a shop stopper, but, when it comes to knitting, picking up stitches down the centre of a cardigan to make a button band, has always been a hiccup. Actually picking up stitches full stop is enough to condemn a project to the work in progress pile for time out. I’m prone to procrastination and I know it.
This was exactly the fate of my pink leafy waistcoat. It was there for almost a year.
Good news is that I’ve conquered it. After knitting my corner to corner blanket, I am thankfully now a dab hand at picking up stitches. Nothing like a project to knock the nonsense into the far field. I was able to pick up the waistcoat again and fly up the buttonhole band, as if it had never been a problem.
I’m so pleased to have reached this stage. I was drawn to the leafy hem initially. I loved the zigzag edge. It proved tricky and I undid it several times. Once I had the hang of it, I knitted the hem for the two front panels and the back at the same time, before adding the length. Just in case I forgot how to do it in the meantime.
I still have the buttons to add and the waistcoat to block. The cuff of the waistcoat needs attention as it’s a bit wrinkly. I’m going to be patient and wait for the shops to open again for the buttons.
I think the waistcoat will look good over a summer dress and it may get an outing before the buttons have a chance to be sewn on.
Before I finish, I need to mention the pockets. Quite frankly, it’s amazing I’ve got this far without bringing them into the conversation. I love pockets. I’ve added plenty of pockets to jumpers when I’ve knitted for my children, but not for myself. A definite oversight and this project put it right. I like learning new construction techniques and this pattern had a slightly different method than I’ve used before, but pockets are pockets, and where would we put those odd little things that we need to carry around?
Please don’t answer.
Details
Pattern: King Cole 4750 long version size 2
Yarn: King Cole Merino Blend DK colour Fuchsia
This is brilliant! I love the leafy hem, it really sets it off. Beautiful choice of colour too. I need another project to start, just can’t decide what yet. X
I love the colour and it is going to be perfect for summer. I’m being yarn driven for the next project as I’m still on a no-buy drive. Cuts the choices down.
I love it, the colour is perfect. That pattern, with the leaves, looks incredibly difficult. I can just imagine it being unpicked, but isn’t it great when you get the hang of a pattern. (but you still have to be carful, I’m just been crocheting some hexagons for a blanket and I thought I had the pattern down and carried on until I realised the three I’d done without reading the pattern looked different…mmm…yes, it was supposed to be tr not half tr stitches, oops!) And one final comment….you HAVE to have pockets 🙂
I have definitely had the same problem. You think you’ve got the pattern memorized and off you go, only to find you haven’t!
Wow. This looks wonderful. Love the colour and pattern. And definitely need pockets! #MMBC
The leaf pattern makes the piece. Takes some concentration.
Your leafy waistcoat is so pretty – I love the colour and the leaf detail on the zigzag hem. I’m glad that your blanket helped give you confidence with picking up stitches to make the button band. I love that it has pockets too. All the best items of clothing have pockets! #MMBC
Pockets are a must!
It has beautiful details and I’m mad for the color! #MMBC
Thank you. I love the colour too.