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Gemma - minimal progress plus TIPS!
April 26, 2005
Gemma is going SO SLOWLY. It is really going to take me forever to finish this project. I think it is the 2 rows that create the little bumps in the pattern that are slowing me down - it takes about 15 minutes just do to those rows, and it hurts my fingers! Gosh how whiney! Enough of that!
Here's how far along the back I am - I can only show half because it's scrunched up on the needles. For your info I have just finished the decreases for the waist:
Anyway, a while back I was talking about the ends and what a beastly nuisance they were, and people had 2 ideas to solve the problem. One was to work in the round up to the armholes, which would save lots of ends - I decided against this one. I'm not a fan of working in the round, and basically that's all. There may have been some other reason as well but I can't remember what it was. The other idea was Johanna's! Which was to weave in the ends as you go. And I'm doing this one and it rocks. Thanks Johanna!
Anyway, I have no idea if anyone is even remotely interested, but I like to feel useful, so I thought I'd share how to do this weaving in ends as you go trick!
Firstly, on a knit row. So in the picture I'm knitting the row with the biscuity coloured yarn and weaving in the purple end. Knit the first stitch. Then, hold the working yarn down the back of the work, lift up the end, and place it from right to left over the working yarn:
Then lift up the working yarn again and knit the next stitch. You have caught the end in the stitch. Repeat this until a few stitches are done. I'm doing 10 sts, because Calmer is a stretchy yarn and I didn't want the jumper to stretch and the ends to pop out. Then just leave the end hanging and finish the row, and a few rows later trim the end off.
On a purl row next! Again I'm working with the biscuit coloured yarn and the end is purple. This time you start twisting the yarns on the very first stitch of the row. Before purling the first stitch, lift up the end, and place it from right to left over the working yarn:
Then, making sure the end stays in place over the working yarn, purl the first stitch. Put the working yarn down, lift up the end, and place it over the working yarn from right to left again:
Lift up the working yarn and purl the next stitch, etc. continue until several stitches have been worked. This is all invisible on the right side of the work, and looks like this on the wrong side:
So there you go! Nifty and neat! Hurrah!
Posted by jen at April 26, 2005 08:02 AM
Comments
Waouh !!! It seems to take time to knit one row !!! I knitted a little sweater few years ago with this technic but I never finished it !!!! ......
But I think that it is a very good challenge !!!
Posted by: lucile at April 26, 2005 01:13 PM
Wow, that Johanna is so smart! ;-) I'm glad that it's working out for you Jen. And just to make this a "mutual admiration society" I'm thinking about making your apron pattern for me and my co-host for my best friend's bridal shower. I've been wanting one for so long, thanks for making the pattern so accessable!
Posted by: Johanna at April 26, 2005 02:11 PM
Knitting in the round *and* colorwork, wow. I will have to try those eventually; I'm only just now warming up to socks. I think your mini-tutorial is definitely worth reading!
Posted by: MJ at April 26, 2005 07:22 PM
Hey Jen – your Gemma’s looking pretty!
You know, as it turns out, I didn't even follow my own advice (about knitting it in the round). I took Carolyn's suggestion about using circular needles, and working from whatever end the right color yarn is on, but also had 2 balls of color B going so I could always do rows 5 and 6 of the pattern on the RS and WS respectively (if that makes any sense). Anyways - it worked great - no ends!! So, thanks Carolyn! And, just to give you comfort that it is possible to get done, I am seaming mine right now...
Posted by: Heidi at April 26, 2005 10:21 PM
Wow, Jen, that Gemma looks like it could permanently cramp fingers!
I've never posted before; my name is Michelle and I found you via MagKnits. I'm very impressed with all your work; how do you find the time for it all?
I'd love to do Gemma, but I have 4 other projects on the go and my hubby said he'd divorce me if I brought home more yarn before I'm finished these, lol!
You're a chem student too? I start a chem course this fall; a little nervous since it's been along time since I've done any chem, but I'm hopeful!
Anyhow, your site is great! Very motivational!
Cheers
Michelle in Canada
Posted by: Michelle at April 27, 2005 05:50 AM
I was going to explain how to have no ends but Heidi did it! and if you don't like circular needles, you can use long DPN!
Posted by: Kim at April 27, 2005 08:55 AM
Very neat indeed! And so much more efficient than waiting til the end to deal will all of those ends...I'll have to give that a try. I love the colors you're using for Gemma - she's going to be gorgeous.
Posted by: Vicki at April 27, 2005 07:32 PM
wow, jen, what a great tip! I've heard about weaving as you go, but never knew how to do it. your Gemma is looking great--it'll all be worth the fingeraches in the end!
Posted by: aubree at April 27, 2005 11:46 PM
Hi Jen!
My name is Tere, and I also discovered your site via Magknits (I made your hug :) I love your taste in both knitting and sewing--I was thinking of attempting Gemma as it is one of my favorites from the issue, and I was also thinking of making an apron!! Both of these look great by the way. I'm currently working on Jenny, and its quite simple so far.
Tere :-)
Posted by: Tere at April 28, 2005 01:13 PM
hello i just came to yell at you and say HELLO what about my idea?!?!?!? i can't believe you didn't mention it!! but - ha ha! - heidi did!! :) so i guess maybe i'll only be a little bit mad at you and not a LOT... :) hee hee just teasin' girl. gemma is looking quite lovely.
Posted by: carolyn at April 28, 2005 11:30 PM