Deep end knitting

DavidSydney63 · 09-19-2012, 02:37 AM

I decided to start knitting again, after a hiatus of many years, and am working on a "hoodie". Big mistake, not only is it taking ages to do, as it's for a XXL sized MAN but it's all boring ol' stocking stitch. However, I can see the finish line in the distance now as I'm galloping towards the end of the final bit, the hood. When I started the hood (after completing the front, back and two sleeves) I thought - thank god, I'm nearly there ... only to discover it's quite wide AND about 85 cms in length (which is 33 inches) ... AND I've just realised I'm about two balls short and coming to the end of my last one, silly me, but eBay to the rescue.

So, I vow, to thee, my next project will be something smaller, considerably smaller, er, like a vest.

My project news, that's all - fairly boring to all I assume. But fun for me.

David (Sydney, Australia)

salmonmac · 09-19-2012, 10:00 AM

Miles of stockinette can be that way. I like to alternate it with an aran pattern or a fair isle or lace. Then it seems like such a pleasure to just knit, knit, knit.

DavidSydney63 · 09-19-2012, 10:17 AM

I wasn't that brave - but next time!

fatoldladyinpjs · 09-19-2012, 02:17 PM

Look at it this way. The hoodie is something you'll enjoy wearing for years to come. And you're going to get so many compliments on it!

GrumpyGramma · 09-19-2012, 06:32 PM

Finishing a big project is great. Good for you. Enjoy your hoodie.

DavidSydney63 · 09-19-2012, 11:27 PM

And when the compliments come flooding in I'll say, when asked "who made it for you?" - "why, me, of course! Who else..?" and I can just hear the choruses of "yeah right!!"

Daylilydayzed · 09-20-2012, 10:47 PM

When my daughter wore an outfit I made for her in middle school, her friend wanted to know where she bought it at. My daughter told her " My Mom made it". Then the friend showed her true colors by saying" So that is why it looks so tacky". I was taught to sew by a great teacher in high school that when you have people asking where you bought something that you made, you have reached the level of HandMade items. Sewing for me was an outlet that let me save money when my kids were growing up. I have a son who when a chil, clothes in the stores did not fit him, even the smallest size sold in stores was too big on him. He is 37 now and buys his clothes in the boys departments of stores. he is about 5 ft tall, weighs less than 100 lbs and most people who see him think he is a teenager. It really shocks them when they find out that he is an adult.

GrumpyGramma · 09-21-2012, 12:26 AM

Originally Posted by Daylilydayzed

When my daughter wore an outfit I made for her in middle school, her friend wanted to know where she bought it at. My daughter told her " My Mom made it". Then the friend showed her true colors by saying" So that is why it looks so tacky". I was taught to sew by a great teacher in high school that when you have people asking where you bought something that you made, you have reached the level of HandMade items. Sewing for me was an outlet that let me save money when my kids were growing up. I have a son who when a chil, clothes in the stores did not fit him, even the smallest size sold in stores was too big on him. He is 37 now and buys his clothes in the boys departments of stores. he is about 5 ft tall, weighs less than 100 lbs and most people who see him think he is a teenager. It really shocks them when they find out that he is an adult.

That's too bad about the girl saying it looked tacky. Sounds like she was jealous. I made my MS GD a sweater from cotton yarn and she told me she was asked where she got her sweater so her friend could go get one for herself. Even though you got something of a backhanded compliment, it was a compliment just the same. Middle schoolers are impossible creatures! We love them just the same. I hated sewing at school, all I learned was I didn't like the way the teacher had us do anything. When she found out I had made the princess seam jacket I was wearing and matched the checks she decided that maybe I could sew. She was not a good teacher, nobody learned anything except sewing sucks from her. I still shudder at the thought.

DavidSydney63 · 09-26-2012, 02:13 PM

Oh, my goodness!!! At 11:00pm on a slightly chilly Sydney Wednesday evening I finished my hoodie!!

I'm on cloud nine - now, remains to sew it up using matress stitch. I've never done this so feeling a little out of my comfort zone.

YAY !!!

It's been a nightmare because I knitted half of it first time, and realised my gauge was off so started again.

My lesson - always "do the guage" (tension square where I come from).

Antares · 09-26-2012, 02:42 PM

Congrats on your finished hoodie, David.

Now get that puppy sewn together and let's see a picture of it!! After all, if it's "chilly," you may need to wear it soon.