I'm so excited to be able to join in with Ginny's Yarn Along this week!!! Not only because it inspires me to do a post but simply because it means I'm knitting!! Oh, and reading....sort of!
It feels like I've been working on this Plain Vest for a very long time - about a month or so. I know, I know, for all you seasoned knitters out there that's ages on one small vest, though it has only been knit in my spare moments while waiting at piano lessons or ballet classes. Sadly I'm not able to knit (or read) while travelling in the car unless the road is very very straight...... and I have to 'fess up that I've frogged it twice - and am feeling very professional using that term *grin* I worked the first effort up to the sleeve openings and discovered, after trying it on the Little Elf, that it was too small, so it was rippit, rippit!!
After perusing the Pickles site, and purchasing the bigger sized vest pattern, I discovered the Plain Tunic and thought I'd try that instead. So, I cast on again but after only getting past the garter stitch bottom I couldn't work out the next part, frogged for the second time...... and started a bigger size in the vest again!
As a beginner knitter I'd say that the Pickles patterns are not very clear. They are easy, but seem to expect the knitter to know what is meant with very basic instructions. For example - 'on the next row K while decreasing 18 s evenly' (I wasn't sure at first how I was going to get them even until I realised I could divide the stitches) Perhaps it would have helped if they said "on the next row K while decreasing 18 s evenly. Decrease by 1 s every 5 s starting on the first stitch past the front ribbing" or something along those lines.
Anyway I'm being pedantic, because they are lovely easy patterns if you have a fairly good idea of how knitting patterns are written up, which I don't!
As for reading, this must be a first for me as I never read fantasy romance novels, but I'm enjoying it none the less. 'Graceling' by Kristin Cashore is actually a good light read and was recommended to my daughter and me by my son's fiancee. Although I'm only half way through, and it is probably a story written for young adults, I think I'll finish it - if and when I can squeeze it in!
Graceling is on my to-read someday list. I can't remember if it's one I got on my Kindle (I snag as many good free books as I can) or if I saw it at my library. I do like fantasy stories!
ReplyDeleteAnd I feel your frogging pain. It looks like a very cute pattern. Keep at it! You'll get it done! :)
I had to laugh! Never heard the term frogging before and I thought you meant you'd been sick in the car! Good on you for persisting. Like you, I'm only just learning my way around patterns.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Graceling too, and oh goodness the Pickles pattern is one I tried when I was very very new to knitting (the free size!) and decided quickly I wouldn't be buying (although the vest turned out very cute). :)
ReplyDeleteWas just reading Graceling before I looked on your blog.. Was very surprised to see you reading them!! I was just saying to dan the other day that I would like to do some knitting, maybe when I come down we can look for some very easy patterns :)
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