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“4,8,15,16,23,42…”

I buckled down and focused for a few evenings to get through the front panels on my Eastwood.    The tv was off, my book languished, and I mostly worked when no one was around to want conversation.

One out of place stitch would show, so I had to be careful and really delve into the pattern.  But I don’t mind mindfulness.  Especially since I have been doing stockinette recently.  It’s always good to switch gears, balancing out ease and intensity.

 Even with no distractions, I found I’d lose my place in the pattern.  Two things saved me.  One, was to print the directions and write out the instructions next to any row that said to repeat a previous row.  I didn’t want to look up in the pattern, then back down, because I knew I’d get lost.  This way I could just read straight down and tick off each row as I completed it.

 The other thing that helped was saying the alternating numbers of knits and purls of each row out loud as I performed the first few repeats.  Sort of mantra like, or Rainman, depending on your perspective.  Pity the fool who interrupted my knitting these rows.  The simplest question could be answered with a Tourette’s-like yell of “4,2,1,3… 4,2,1,3,”  their eyes widening as they walked away.

I carried on like this for a few nights until the numbers became familiar, I even got to a point where I could listen to podcasts and actually retain the information while saying, “4,8,15,16,23…”

The panels seem kind of scrunched up here, but I expect blocking will smooth them out to the proper dimensions.   Believe it or not, I actually am getting gauge with no problems.  I expect to finish the back tonight or tomorrow.  Maybe.

Okay, now look at this green.  I could not get this image to accurately show the color of the Dirty Water Dyeworks Clara.  It’s a chartreuse green, dirtied up with a little brown here and there.  I love the way it is knitting up.  I kind of wish I’d picked a lighter main color so the stripes would stand out more.  I can see this green looking so great with tans and cream.   I’m picturing a turtleneck from my childhood.   I may need to make that happen.

(ravelry, kollabora, flickr)

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9 Comments

  1. Ah you totally crack me up with the Tourette's like outbursts! I am so glad I'm not the only one! I'm known to scream "slip, slip, knit" and "yo 1, yo 2…." when interrupted mid flow. My poor family! But in the immortal words of Mr T "pity the fool!"

  2. I think the green really pops next to the grey.Don't you just want to scream when you start following the wrong line on a pattern! Have you tried highlighter tape? It's been a huge help, especially with my eyesight now on a down hill slide!

  3. This is going to be so pretty! I love the colors you chose. John told me he loved me last night while I was knitting. I needed a few seconds to finish counting before I could reply, at which point he looked pretty worried that I hadn't responded. Of course, I said, "Sorry, I was counting" and all was well again. 🙂 I'm so glad we have loved ones who understand the knitter's need to count quietly!

  4. That's a great idea, Terri! I have noticed my vision worsening in the last year. At first I thought my eyes were watery, but it's definitely my vision. So I'll file that idea away for another day. I often use my iPad and zoom in, too.

  5. Thanks, but dont hand out awards yet, Evelyn! I've tried it on and I'm going to have to block it out a LOT. But hopefully it'll all come together.

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