note to self

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Dear Self,
It is no secret that you love to knit sweaters. In fact, it is your most favorite thing to knit. You love to knit a front, a back, and two sleeves, sew the sweater together and wear the sweater. However, in the future, I would like for you to pay special attention to the FINISHING section of your pattern before starting a project. You like patterns that give a few directions, like: block, sew seams, weave in ends. You actually don't mind if it says to sew on a few buttons. So, please pay close attention to the "size" of the FINISHING directions. If the directions to FINISHING take up an entire page (almost) then chances are you will probably loose some sort of steam and it will seem like a "chore" to finish that project. Even if you remember trying on the sweater and LOVING it and spending the next few weeks thinking of nothing but that sweater. And even if the yarn you are using is some of the most delicious yarn you have used.

Deal? Deal.
Love,
Leslie

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52 comments

  1. Hang in there, Leslie! You can do it. (Says the person who still has a sweater in pieces in a bag awaiting a zipper. Just a zipper. But it's been... seven?... years. Maybe 8.)

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  2. This one is in my queue. Thanks for the heads up.
    I just sewed a collar on upside down.
    My finishing woes are plenteous as well.

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  3. I'm glad to know I am not the only one who loses steam when the end is in site...I am the worst at finishing, especially blocking. And I just don't know why because I always do get that giddy happy feeling when it is all said and done. Good luck. Can't wait to see the finished sweater. The yarn is simply beautiful.

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  4. You can do it! I am cheering you on and can't wait to see this gorgeous sweater!!

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  5. Oof! I know what you mean, sister. I have a cabled yoke cardigan that needs the cabled yoke attached to the body. Waiting...waiting...waiting..

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  6. Oh no....I hate when finishing gets the better of an otherwise great project! Good luck.

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  7. Oh, Leslie, I'm in the same part of my FMC and I'm thinking "what were you thinking of wanting to make this...all that seaming and mattress stitch!?" I just cast on for the same part you are working on and have found I've been procrastinating like crazy with this sweater. I keep telling myself how much I will wear it once it is done. Let's cheer each other on through the home stretch!

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  8. Anonymous1/28/2010

    You will do it. I saw the picture of the sweater. It looks great. And the colour is fantastic.

    Annegret

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  9. I think it is always a good idea to write notes to yourself. But I am sure the sweater will be amazing.

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  10. Oh my! I'm in search of finishing fairy...the one who enjoys that part of the sweater process. I'll let you know if I find her.

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  11. Too funny.
    That's why I have only done top down sweaters.
    You are a better woman.

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  12. Next time you find yourself with this problem pack up your sweater and send it to me. I like sewing sweaters together and I am amazed at the amount of business I get. Everytime I think I might be running out of jobs a few more come along. You do such nice knitting I'm sure your projects would be easy to put together!(This sounds like an ad but I would be happy to help you)

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  13. Come on, here, we want a true FO! This is a gorgeous pattern. Go, go, go! ;-) Dear Maryse, ...

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  14. I am very glad to know I'm not the only one who has these issues! I have decided that I should submit my pattern choices (and the accompanying yarn) to my knitting "committee" - in triplicate - and ask for written permission before I start things. I just finished the featherweight cardigan - in lace weight yarn no less. I thought I was going to lose my mind!

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  15. I am very glad to know I'm not the only one who has these issues! I have decided that I should submit my pattern choices (and the accompanying yarn) to my knitting "committee" - in triplicate - and ask for written permission before I start things. I just finished the featherweight cardigan - in lace weight yarn no less. I thought I was going to lose my mind!

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  16. Talking to oneself is the first sign....

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  17. I'm sure it will be well worth the trouble. Can't wait to see it!

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  18. Ha!!! I think that's why I don't knit many sweaters.

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  19. i thought of you the whole time i slaved over the seaming of my sweater yesterday and today. i dreaded it. really. and i kept thinking of you and all your sweaters and how you say it's all so easy.
    i'm glad you didn't write this post two days ago.

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  20. I fall in love the the "self" in the note.

    Note to the "self" - Kindly say YES and make the DEAL !

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  21. Good thing you warned me...this was on my maybe I want to knit this list (especially after I saw that you are knitting it). I don't mind finishing, but if its going to be more difficult than regular finishing, I'm with you! Can't wait to see it, though. It is a really cute sweater.

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  22. Umm, yeah. Any chance you could get your mom to do it?

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  23. Cute post, Les! Although I can't relate about knitting projects, I can relate about other ones. I find the last finishing touches hard to complete down to the details...much easier to let the little things go...and go...and go

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  24. Haha! So sorry, but I had to laugh, much more at myself than at you. I like casting on so much more than finishing... so much more...

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  25. Hahaha, funny! And it does sound strangely familiar...

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  26. :-) I think I have a letter much like this somewhere :-))

    I love your blog! So much inspiration.
    Have a wonderful weekend:)

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  27. you'll do it! an everyone is waiting to see it...pressure :)
    but i'm horrible about directions. i really have to force myself to focus sometimes.

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  28. I thought about my note last night and what I should have said is think of it as a puzzel that you are putting together. It's a good challenge and you'll be proud when you are wearing the sweater. I bet it's put together already !

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  29. Oh I so know what you are talking about. Stay focused and you'll get there!

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  30. Boy! Does that note to self can apply to me too? I remember one time having a sweater waiting to be assembled but the loose knitting made it so complicated that I ended up unravelling instead and reknit with a simple stocking st.

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  31. The sweater does look overwhelming but it'll surely be one of the most beautiful sweaters ever, so carry on!

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  32. An entire PAGE of finishing instructions?! Ack!! But I have faith in you -- you can do it! Just bite off a little bit at a time and take breaks if you need to.

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  33. holy moly! a whole page of finishing?! i can not wait to see it though. it is going to be worth it!
    hang in there!

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  34. i think that finishing is a whole art in itself! i am waiting on a book of finishing techniques to come in the mail & can't wait!

    btw, i'm just starting out making my first sweaters & wondered (since you make so many sweaters) what is your favorite length of circ, whether the piece is made in the round or not?

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  35. That's going to be one beautiful sweater - don't give up! I know what you mean though - I usually won't make a pattern if the finishing looks like it'll take forever.

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  36. So how many days worth of finishing for this project?

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  37. leslie, if anyone can finish that sweater i know in my heart it is you!!! you made all those hanne knits on teeny tiny needles, you can do this! good luck girl!

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  38. Oh finishing, sminishing!! You'll have that gorgeous sweater on you before you cook your next batch of cookies if I know you!! It's gorgeous - as usual!

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  39. Sometimes that girl named Self just needs a good talkin' to!! She lives in my house, too and she gets a lecture about once a week! I love that sweater - I have the magazine but it just looks too difficult for my level of expertise. I can't wait to see it finished and being modeled by you!

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  40. OH YAY! I thought finishing was just something beginners had problems with!

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  41. Anonymous2/01/2010

    now you've really set yourself a challenge!! Hopefully they're just very careful and long winded instructions for a relatively simple finish (well, you can always hope!)

    good luck!

    Lynda

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  42. the finishing is always so hard for me... and by "finsihing" I mean getting the knitting completed! having a really hard time right now.

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  43. You can do it! Five minutes here, five minutes there, it will be done in no time! I am looking forward to seeing it, it such a great jacket!

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  44. If you find the magic finishing motivator, please share it! I dread finishing, and just discovered top down patterns!

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