Knitting Today: A BIG Disappointment!

Last week I cast on for Mama Christa's Shell, partially because I need some sort of warmish topper to wear in the temple, and partially because Iroc Knits is having a Knit A Long.  With prizes!  I thought it would be win win, even though one is not sure of winning a prize.

So, the Shell is supposed to be knitted in two pieces, flat, then sewn together at the side seams. I do not do a good job with sewing seams so I thought I would avoid the whole thing by knitting in the round.  I had heard Cori of Iroc Knits say she was knitting the shell in the round so I sent her a little email. She very kindly responded and even told me how to do the knitting in the round. I started immediately.

Feather and Fan has been a pattern I have loved ever since I saw a blanket knitted by LRO many years ago.  I have never made anything with that pattern but here it is finally, and it is a garment.  You are looking at the bottom hem of the shell.

Today I spent nearly all day knitting and made great progress: at least I was well into the second row pattern repeat, when I decided to measure to check if the size was going to be right.  As I was straightening the knitting out to check I found a terrible problem: the stitches were twisted!  Even though I was absolutely careful to not have that first round twisted. Well, clue one, I was not careful enough!!! Rats, rats, rats!!!

Can you believe it?!!  I was distraught because not only had I wasted many hours, I had also pretty much used up my hands for today.

So I tore it out, or frogged it as some knitters say. And started over.

Since I could not stand it, I bit the bullet, worked through the discomfort, and cast on again, this time two flat pieces which are almost impossible to twist the stitches.  There are seven pattern repeats horizontally and we are supposed to knit 21 row pattern repeats but I think I will not be knitting that many repeats. Once I get up a few repeats I will measure and see how far I want to go.  I will have 1000 yards of yarn on Saturday.  I am hoping this will not be yarn chicken but...having had the twisting problem, I would not be surprised.  Oh well.

Next week there may be more news, but the knitting for today is done.  Probably will just spend the time watching knitting podcasts.  Or maybe a Family History Library tutorial...