Friday 20 February 2015

Too much woolly thinking?


I expect some of you have been wondering, whatever happened to the Shetland wool jumper Gail is supposed to be knitting for yours truly?

And thinking that if a certain person does not get a move on, then it will be summer already.

Well I guess we can cut Gail some slack on the timing issue, given that what most of the world would deem winter wear is entirely appropriate for our Scottish so-called summers too.

But a recently overheard phone conversation between Gail and a friend gave me new cause for concern:

"It's boring knitting something straightforward isn't it? I like a bit of a challenge, to keep my brain in gear while I'm on unpaid leave from work to look after my mum. So I downloaded some 'pattern generator' instructions from Ravelry and the first thing you have to do is measure your dog and calculate the number of stitches appropriate for his size. Then I decided it would be nice to have some decoration across the back and I found some instructions for a child's cardigan and took the Fair Isle design from that. Only it needs six colours and I have only four so I had to rethink it a bit".





Now all this would be fine if we were talking about someone whose knitting output has, over the past thirty years, amounted to more than one hat, one doggy sweater and one bicycle seat cover. But we are not.

To compound my worries, I then caught Gail watching a YouTube video titled 'Five ways of casting on'.

Like, call me an knitting ignoramus, but this is pretty basic stuff, is it not?

Well finally, earlier this week, Gail swung into action with the needles and yarn, and amidst much cursing, she at last succeeded in casting on the 70 stitches using some fancy schmancy technique suitable for edging a ribbed collar.

A few rows later...

Er, Gail, are you sure you got your sums right? That will have to go over my head you know.


What's that they say about not giving up the day job?

A couple of days on, and things are looking a bit more promising. The colours - totally natural, no dye involved - are quite manly aren't they?


Unfortunately progress has again stalled 'cos a certain person underestimated the amount of yarn needed so an emergency order has been placed with Julia of Hand Knitted Things.

Maybe it'll be ready for my 6th birthday...

27 comments:

  1. Oh, dat looks very promisin' indeed, Bertie... you'll be quite da manly fashun plate in dat sweater... ready for da doggie vershun of GQ, ya will be!!

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  2. It does look pretty promisin. My momma has been knittin for years now, and all she has managed are scarves for herself. Boring!

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  3. I'm most impressed with the outfit to date. The colours would seem to be a very good choice for you and indeed they are manly. Wasn't it +16C in Aberdeen this week? No sweater required!

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  4. Coming along nicely Bertie. LOL it might be ready for next Winter. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  5. I'm sure it will turn out very nicely! I'm impressed that she has taken this project on. Did I ever tell you about the time my assistant tried to knit ...she ended up knitting her project to her pants - as in the pants she was wearing! Knitting is not her thing ...

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  6. Oh my. My older sissie "knts" and I am the recipient of several gifts from her involving that craft.

    I am very grateful for her work. And I think your new sweater is lovely.

    Just sayin' that I am glad she lives in DeeSee and we live in Richmond.

    That's all.

    Gussie

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  7. that does look good so far.....the colors are perfect

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  8. That's an impressive looking sweater design Gail has on the needles, Bertie. By the way, the latest weather warning here in the Highlands is for, "rain, snow and ice"! Perfect sweater weather!

    Best wishes

    Julia

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  9. Hari OM
    Bertie lad, I think your patience will pay off... that is shaping up to be photo-pose-worthy methinks! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  10. VERY manly Colors fur sure... butt we have some concerns about the final pawduct.... Pawhaps it will be ready fur CHRISTMAS 2015...

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  11. I like the colors, they are perfect for a terrier... I'm sure you haven't to wait long till your Gail finished the sweater :o)
    guess what? my mom promised her dad a handknitted sweater for his 40th birthday... last november he turned 70 and my mom hasn't finished that thingy :l)
    easy rider

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  12. OH MY WFT BERTIE THAT IS GOING TO BE A GORGEOUS SWEATER....MOM SAYS THAT SURE IS A LOT OF MATH. I TOLD HER NEVER FEAR BERTIE AND GAIL ARE SCIENTIST THEY CAN FIGURE IT OUT
    HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF

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  13. That's very handsome and manly, Bertie!

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  14. We think that is going to be one handsome sweater....Ummmmm, as soon as Gail gets more yarn BOL!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  15. SHE made a camping jumper once. You only needed a couple of poles and it could sleep 3 men. Having to buy all that extra wool should have told HER something!

    We think Gail is very ambitious, but we're sure it'll be fine AND in natural colours, maybe no one will notice if you run fast!

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  16. It's so hard to be patient, isn't it Bertie! Thankfully it's warm enough here that I never have to wear a sweater. I just have to wait for walks, dinner, breakfast, beach trips, cookies....waiting is SO hard...

    -Otto

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  17. Knit stuff is so pretty but mom can't make nothin
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  18. We love the colors! Our mom is quite inept at these things.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  19. She had to watch a you tube video to find out how to cast on????????? Good luck Bertie ..... you might freeze to death, mate!!!

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  20. What what? A SHETLAND jumper? Bertie!
    I hope that made out of wool and not dog furs?

    It looks very fetching though! Mum be very impressed, she inherited some knitting things from TND's Mum but she does not even know how to hold the needles!
    ~Lickies, Ludo!

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    Replies
    1. Ludo, tell your mum there is for sure a YouTube video out there explaining how to hold the needles!
      PS It's OK, the wool is from Shetland sheep not dogs. (Although the Shetland sheep live by Loch Torridon not on Shetland.)

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  21. Gail is doing a great job taking care of herself, Bertie. She's had an awful lot of stress. Just give her support! I have no doubt the jumper will come along.

    Love,
    Tootsie

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  22. Bertie, tell Gail I am envious that her "wooly" thinking is so creative! It's a lovely design.

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  23. Oh Bertie. Your mum tries and that is the best thing. We can't wait to see what it looks like when finished. Our mum can knit but our angel nana used to cast on for her and cast off. Now mum is lost but she has bought herself an "Introduction to Knitting" and one day, yes one day, will give it a go. Mum wonders if knitting is an art that is becoming lost. We send love to your Granny and of course to you both as well. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  24. Happy to hear your Mum is improving!

    Your design, yarn and colors are just perfect for Bertie, although its always good to know he can grumble a bit about things. Gonna be a lovely sweater. I am working on a pair of socks for me in a tweed of most of those colors! I love the way it looks but it is splitty

    Cheers and hugs,

    Jo, Stella and that khat

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  25. Why Bertie I think your sweater is looking quite fabulous! On the down side I am thinking its finery might keep you from wearing it on your hikes and it will be relegated to Sunday attire or a slight stroll.
    Thanks for being a friend
    Sweet William The Scot

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