Whiny Wednesday Masquerading as a Year of Progress (Update #3)

The List:

1. Seekrit knitting (WIP)
2. Goldenrod Grocer (WIP)
3. Lace scarf (WIP) 
4. Foreign Correspondent Scarf (WIP) 
5. Traveler Socks (WIP) 
6. Tantric Top (WIP) 
7. Drape-front Gilet
8. Corrugated Cloth
9. Bamboo Vest 
10. Sleepy Hollow Socks
11. Mesh Raglan 

Unfortunately, the completion of, #6 and #7 was full of fail. I'm really bummed about them.

#6-The First Epic Fail FO
I'm not even gonna bother with a picture of it. The instructions say not to create a dense fabric, but did I listen? Noooo. I don't need no stinking directions. *sigh* I think I officially dislike Caron Simply Soft. Please feel free to suggest some decent acrylics for me. This vegan yarn thing is tougher than a vegan diet!!!

The pattern/design is ingenious, BUT I really think DK weight is best for it. Worsted weight wool, cotton or linen might be good too as they can actually be blocked. I know that they say you can block acrylic, and maybe you can...but not Simply Soft. (Feel free to correct me/share your tips.)  I love the design so much that I am going to knit it again, but with some CotLin that I have.

I think stitch design is important, too. The one I chose (a diagonal one) looked really neat in back, but I'm still not sure. The ones I saw using seed stitch looked great and that will bump up the "mindless" level which is always a good thing. Guess I should put Tantric back on the list.

1. Seekrit knitting (WIP)
2. Goldenrod Grocer (WIP)
3. Lace scarf (WIP) 
4. Foreign Correspondent Scarf (WIP) 
5. Traveler Socks (WIP) 
6. Tantric Top 
7. Drape-front Gilet
8. Corrugated Cloth
9. Bamboo Vest 
10. Sleepy Hollow Socks
11. Mesh Raglan 

#7 The Second Epic Fail FO


Looks ok from behind (the sweater, not the droopy drawers...and when did I get my mother's elbows?)

Then I turn around:


I cannot get this to lie right. I've tried a shawl pin, a belt. If I strike a knitting magazine-esque kind of pose I can get it to work, but I'd like to be able to do more in it than just pose.

I have already begun the process of frogging this. I will not be re-doing this one so I will just add a note to the list:

1. Seekrit knitting (WIP)
2. Goldenrod Grocer (WIP)
3. Lace scarf (WIP) 
4. Foreign Correspondent Scarf (WIP) 
5. Traveler Socks (WIP) 
6. Tantric Top 
7. Drape-front Gilet FAIL
8. Corrugated Cloth
9. Bamboo Vest 
10. Sleepy Hollow Socks
11. Mesh Raglan 

I think I'm just bored with my YOP projects right now, so I started the Acorn Shrug on Saturday night. A squillion single crochets worked in the back loop for 38 inches. With Simply Soft which I decided I hated, but I have to try once more. Yup. Lunacy. I also made a  Summer Sling Tote. It just needs some finishing touches so I hope I've got a full of win FO for Friday.

For the rest of the week I think I'm just going to work on Acorn, work on Traveler Socks and maybe cast on the Sleepy Hollow socks (working on the socks in honor of Sock Summit 2011.)

I'm not real pleased with my results this week, but YOP is keeping me on track and is really kind of forcing me to be a little more systematic in my crafting which is a good thing.

*****

I will not participate in Yarn Along this week. I can't decide what to read. Here is what I've considered:

• Bedknob and Broomstick
• Little House in the Big Woods
• Fool Moon
• Cheap
• Amusing Ourselves to Death

Please forgive me for not linking.