Friday, 28 October 2011

Finishless Friday the Third

This week completes my trio of retrospective posts, in preparation for my "I've been knitting for a whole year" giveaway next Friday *grins* Thank you for the wonderful comments on these posts, and for indulging my little trip down memory lane, it's been a lot of fun.

First up this week, 2 projects that never made it to finished object status:


My green top and my feather and fan scarf. And do you know what these 2 projects have in common? They're both 100% cotton. 4 ply cotton at that *laughs* This might explain why they have never got very far, as I have determined that knitting with 100% cotton is the least pleasurable thing I have attempted in the last 51 weeks!

So, those certainly don't count as successes, but as they both helped me to define my knitting preferences I'm not counting them as complete failures either.

My very first socks, however, certainly count as a huge success *big grin* I was so excited to make them, and even more excited that they turned out properly. The fact that they look like real socks is still pretty amazing to me. Plus, they fit. Having made a second pair, it's clear that the first ones are a little tight, but they're mine and I love them!


However, my pictures of said socks are pretty terrible *laughs* So here's an in progress shot to properly show the colours. I call them my happy socks ;)


The final project I wish to showcase is my poncho/wrap:


I finished this approximately 4 months into starting knitting, and whilst it was a pretty simple project it was also something I adapted from the pattern considerably. I changed the garter stitch edging to stocking stitch, as I thought it would be cute to have it roll in slightly. I changed the lace pattern too - the original was very structured and I wanted a more organic pattern. One modification to the counting and I got exactly what I was after *smiles*

Although other, earlier, projects also saw me deviate from the pattern, this was the first time I had done it deliberately and knew what I was trying to achieve. It went well ;)

So, there you have it. A few more projects from the archives *grins* Please head over to the usual suspects for more excellent Friday posts, and do come back next week for the giveaway (I'm quite excited to be doing it, my first time!)

Tami. Natural SuburbiaWisdom Begins in Wonder

36 comments:

  1. I've got to agree with you about cotton yarn, I really don't like knitting with 100% cotton! Infact I avoid it like the plague lol!

    The socks are gorgeous, I love how bright the different stripes are. And you've got to love self striping yarn haven't you?

    The wrap is really pretty, and doesn't it feel good when you can deviate from the pattern and know what to expect!

    XXX

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  2. Oooh dear, I'm a bit worried now since my next project (after the WIPs) is 100& cotton 4ply...
    But then I didn't mind 100% cotton DK. What did happen to the UFOs then? Frogged or in a bag somewhere?

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  3. Oooh! the Poncho wrap looks gorgeous on you and I love.love.love your happy socks! Congrats on your first pair of socks. My only sock is still awaiting its pair for the past 3 years.

    Pssst! I too hate knitting with cotton.. I like the elasticity of wool.. cotton just feels very dry and rough in my hands.

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  4. Those socks are super cute! Perfect for the dreary weather that is quickly approaching!

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  5. I love your poncho, it looks very comfortable!

    Your stripey sock is awesome, such bright colours :D

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  6. All of your projects are awesome! I totally agree with the cotton. I have a few skeins and I keep "petting" them trying to decide what they will become because I will have to work with the fiber. I know the FO will be awesome but will need to get through the project first.

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  7. I love all your projects and hope when you look back over the year you have a huge sense of pride. The socks are really great. I have become quite fond of sock knitting and I hope I always have a pair on the needles.
    xx

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  8. I completely understand about the cotton projects. My hands ache just thinking about knitting with cotton.
    Your socks and wrap are wonderful!

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  9. Cotton has no give and makes my hands hurt! Lovely wrap, love the neutral color!

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  10. That poncho looks fantastic- I can believe those were the first purposeful mods you ever did! And I totally agree with the 100% cotton. We all try it, and we all say never again...

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  11. I love the stripes in your socks...what a wonderful group of bright colors!
    The poncho is excellent, too...easy on and off...and you don't have to worry about it falling off and getting lost (I've actually lost scarves that way...sob!).

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  12. It's always really interesting to see what people have made in the past - we meet each other at such random points that I love finding out what else people make :)

    That poncho is awesome. It looks like just the kind of thing for the weather we're having at the moment!

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  13. Do you remember the yarn you used for the socks? They're absolutely adorable.

    I love the poncho, and how brave of you to make changes so soon after you started knitting! I was chicken for a long, long time, lol.

    And cotton...I understand. I can crochet with cotton but I hate to knit with it.

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  14. Congrats on nearing your one year knitversary. I love the poncho and the colors on the socks are great.

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  15. I have to agree with you on the cotton.

    I made a had for Hubba out of 100% cotton. I hated making it and I hate it everytime I see it. He loves it though, so that's good. :-)

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  16. HaT. I made a hat, not a had. :-/

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  17. I love love love those socks! I started some about a year ago and I've still not finished even one sock :(

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  18. I've been knitting for over 40 years and 4ply cotton is my nemesis. Well done you for working it out after only a year. I kept buying it and trying it. Got loads of the stuff.
    I just love those socks.

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  19. they certainly seem like happy socks! =D

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  20. I love the happy socks. And so appropriately named!

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  21. I like your poncho and really like the colors you are using in your feather and fan shawl! Very nice!!!

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  22. You have some wonderful projects there, I love your happy socks and the poncho looks cozy and warm in addition to looking great!

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  23. Your "happy feet" should bring you smiles on wintery days and your shawl is lovely.

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  24. Love that poncho/wrap! And congrats on a year of knitting - well done!

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  25. I love these posts! Keep them coming!!!! The socks are awesome - I really want to try knitting some socks now :-/

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  26. The socks make me think of rainbow sherbet!

    And I too dislike knitting with cotton.

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  27. Well done on the socks and the wrap! I hate knitting with cotton, too; it's why I never make dishcloths.

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  28. I sort of agree about the cotton yarn. Cotton yarn has a place and, in my world, it's not for wearable items for me. In my world, cotton is for dishcloths, small blankets, baby blankets, baby toys, baby wearables, or baby items in general. It's also good for pets. But for me...no...unless it's something that I want to have stretch over time because, invariably, that's what cotton will do.

    I think I'm jealous of your knitting prowess as I've been knitting for a little over 3 years and haven't really adapted a pattern (unless you count my baby blanket that I sort of made up by throwing some stitch patterns together).

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  29. Congratulations on your socks! Be careful, it's a slippery slope. Before you know it you'll be washing a machine load of hand knit socks every week. But then, you'll have toasty toes too. Love that wrap!

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  30. The socks are great, as are you other projects...congrats on a successful year of projects,,,and yeah cotton sucks...even in crochet...

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  31. You should be totally proud of yourself for 1) deliberately modifying a pattern and ending up with a rock'in poncho and 2) making those happy socks. The colors make me smile!

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  32. I have never knitted with cotton, I suspect I would agree with you as it never appeals in the shop. I soemtimes feel I should get a ball and make something, just to say I have done it! Your socks and wrap are super, love the bright stripes

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  33. I don't like cotton either. But I will knit with it if I a have too.

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