UhlissaKnits

  GAP-tastic Cowl by  Jen Geigley Cast on: 8/8/21 Cast off: 8/28/21 Yarn : Malabrigo Mecha in Mostaza. Just about every inch of 3 skeins (384 yds)  It's kind of a disaster, but it's done. I don't know if I would have ever picked this pattern to knit, but the Yarnathon keeps motivating me to try new and different things. The yarn was more green than the golden color I was hoping for, but otherwise it's dreamy. I always thought the pattern looked more interesting, but just turned out to be 15" of seed stitch. At least the bulky yarn made it go quickly. I managed to twist the cast on and not notice for six inches. Based on the deadline, and my general dislike of the project, I just kept going. It turned out to be some sort of weird mobious, but it wraps around my neck twice and is very soft and squishy. I'm contemplating frogging and re-doing it, but I doubt I'd ever actually re-knit it, so I think it will stay as-is and we'll see if it gets ...

  Dimbala  by Laura Chau Cast On: 7/3/21 Cast off: 8/27/21 Yarn/usage: Dream in Color Classy in Velvet Port. 1071 yds (4.28 skeins) Notes: My first sweater in a very long time. I loved the yarn, and enjoyed how quick it felt compared to my usual lighter weight projects. There were a few spots in the pattern that weren't immaculately clear, but overall, I found it very well written. I learned I'm not very good at picking up stitches (for the buttonband and collar) and that sewing in sleeves is not my favorite activity. I lengthened the body by three inches, and shorted the sleeves by about three as well. My gauge was a little off, so I picked the smaller of the two sizes I was considering, and I think the fit turned out perfectly. This sweater had been in my queue for 7 years, but I'm not sure I would have ever made it if it weren't for the Yarnathon 3rd Quarter Craft A Long. I can't wait to wear it, and I'm looking forward to knitting more sweaters.

I saved my last post of the week to focus on neglected WIPs. I'm honestly surprised I only have three to talk about. Well, if I'm totally honest,  there are more we could check in on,  but they are so deep in hibernation,  I'd hate to disturb them at this point.   Reflecting on the stress I've been feeling about knitting deadlines and my attempts to relieve some of the pressure from myself,  I'm only mildly surprised that two MKAL projects find themselves in my collection of neglected projects.  I struggled to let myself do things on my own time, but I managed to put these aside and not worry. Even though I was enjoying the groups, it was better for me to stop trying to keep up. I'd love to finish both of these one day.  Knights Who Say Knit by Mary Annarella                                    ...

I have no illusions about the fact that no one ever sees my posts,  so I'm going to go ahead and share spoilers of an ongoing MKAL.   I have two MKAL projects I'm hopelessly behind on,  and three of four others I joined but never started,  so of course I needed another.  Last year, I participated in my first MKAL, Casapinka's The Sharon Show. My color choices were terrible,  but otherwise I loved every minute of it.  Despite the knowledge that I probably won't keep up this year,  I couldn't resist joining this year's MKAL, the Snark-o-meter . I made it through the first clue on schedule,  and even started the second.  That's about the time I realized how many other projects I have that were also calling to me. I'm behind now,  but plan to catch back up soon,  once I get a few of these other WIPs where they need to be.   xo, Uhlissa

I absolutely love the idea of my Leaves Shell , but it's been in a little time-out for the last month or so.  The yoke went well, but then I struggled so much with picking up the stitches for the body that I pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I might never get it done.  However,  finishing my Dimbala sweater this week,  I had to pick up some stitches and had an epiphany.  In some random forum,  I read a completely unrelated comment and suddenly understood a better approach to picking up all the stitches. It worked so well on my sweater that I promptly pulled this shell out of its hiding place and got to work.  It wasn't easy,  and it's definitely not perfect,  but I have all the stitches I need and am really excited to make some progress. Hopefully I'll finish while it's still warm enough to wear it.   xo Uhlissa

Pardon the terrible photo. Apparently I'm making a sweater that matches my bedspread. If I had taken Dimbala on my work trip last week, it would probably be done. I'm so close, I didn't want to take up my precious suitcase space with something so big that wouldn't keep me busy. I overestimated myself, as usual, and probably should have taken it. I currently have half a sleeve and the collar left to do and keep getting distracted by all these other projects instead of finishing it. I blame the fact that it's 100 degrees and won't be able to enjoy the finished product for several months, even though I made pretty short sleeves. until tomorrow, xo Uhlissa 

After working on my Tree Farm Socks, I was fighting the urge to cast on a new pair of socks for myself. I managed to convince myself to pull out Curling Mist , which I've been neglecting since about February. They're pretty slow going, but I found myself enjoying working on them a little more since they've been in time-out. It might be because the cable pattern is only on the top half of the sock now so it's a little easier and faster. I did have to take a break to hand wind the cakes of yarn that had fallen apart into balls, but even that was kind of enjoyable. I think that process also helped relax the yarn a little, which had been twisting pretty severely. I love the Birch Hollow Sylvia Sock more than I remember liking it when I started the project. If I happen to get these finished, they might also become my mom's. until tomorrow, xo Uhlissa