Sunday, January 9, 2011

Blogiversary and a Seaming Monster


For those of you keeping track, today is my one year blogiversary and I've spent it thus far seaming the knitted demon that is Adam's Baseball Jersey. Now, I really don't mind seaming. Ever since I learned mattress stitch when I knit the Playful Stripes Cardigan I've been intrigued by the magic that seaming creates. It can look kind of scraggly and not quite right, and then you pull the ends and it all comes together perfectly. This however, it proving to be a test of my patience and skills. 


The sides of the body and the seam up the arm were easy, no sweat. But now I'm on to setting in the sleeve which I've never done and am kind of just flying by the seat of my pants. The pattern isn't very much help. The directions say something to the extent of: Set in sleeves, seam shoulders, good luck. This isn't just regular set-in sleeves either, you'll need to do the shoulder and saddle seaming as well. And with the amount of seaming that needs to be done, I've kind of called it quits for today. I've been sitting at my dining table for close to three hours and am starting to worry about blood clots, fatigue, and the crick in my neck setting in and becoming permanent.


I've only managed to set in half of one sleeve (in addition to the seaming of the sleeves and body). I was really hoping I'd put this all together today but I think I need a break (and a cup of tea).  I did tell Adam that he could just wear it like this. That we'd put in some safety pins to keep it together but that he'd be fine otherwise. He'd look great. It would be really breathable. He could just tell people his wife is from California and has a unique sense of style. Unfortunately, he's no stranger to my antics and just kind of ignored me.

So on to the required blogiversary reflection.
 
I've been kind of holding off on sharing any of my 2011 resolutions because I wanted to do so today. I tend to make only a few simple resolutions so that I actually keep them. In 2009, I resolved to try to live greener. I began recycling most of my trash (I haven't made it to composting just yet but then I don't have a garden and don't know what I'd do with the compost) and using green cleaning products. I also changed light bulbs and unplugged things we didn't use on a regular basis (toaster, stand mixer, etc). There were several other changes I made but I need to move on (the neck crick is acting up).

Last year I made three resolutions. I did not knit the Christmas stockings but I did do a pair of colorwork Totoro mittens. Since mittens are a smaller project, I think it was a good start. So we'll say this was accomplished. I still want to knit the stockings and I think I found a pattern that I like better than the ones I had originally planned on doing. We'll see. 

I did start cooking more often. I would say that I probably average 5 nights a week (pretty good considering sometimes I would start cooking when I got home at 7pm). The other two nights tends to be leftovers or eating out. Mostly leftovers though. We have definitely cut back on our eating out splurges (which got way out of hand one year) so I'm very happy about accomplishing this one. The good thing about it is that now that I'm in the habit of meal planning and freezing, I'm sure it will stick through this year too. 

My final goal was to update the blog more frequently. Done.

My goals for this year are pretty simple as well:
1. Fix the knitted garments that I don't wear so they are wearable or frog them. I got started in this on the last post but my goal is to be realistic about my knitting. I don't spend hours knitting a sweater not to wear it and there are a couple that I don't wear only because there's a small thing that needs to be fixed (like it needs to be lengthened or shortened, etc.). Specifically, there are three  garments that  need some adjustments (this, this, and this). 
2. Knit at least four pairs of socks for myself. Now that I have a pair of knitted socks all I can think of is the luxury of having an entire drawerful. They are so much warmer and more comfortable than regular socks. 
3. Knit at least two sweaters for myself. I love sample knitting and I love gift knitting but it's been quite some time since I knit anything for myself. When I think "well I last knit the socks for myself in September and that wasn't that long ago" I also have to remember that I have finished almost 15 projects since then. I want a sweater and I have the yarn for it so it is going to happen.

I think these are all pretty doable, don't you? And since you have stuck through this awfully long post, dear reader, I think you deserve a little something too. One of the things that I love about blogging is all the wonderful feedback I receive from my readers. If I need an opinion, I just ask and then there's two dozen people to act as a sounding board. Everyone is so helpful and kind. Thank you. 

Anyway, my point is, if you leave a comment under this post you will be entered to win a skein of Malabrigo Rios in the color Azules.


If you blog about this post, leave a second comment linking to your blog and you'll get a second entry. This giveaway is just for you readers to show my appreciation. I'll draw the winner using the Random Number Generator in the post where I share about the finished baseball jersey. When will that be? Well when it's done and photographed, that's when. And considering I start back to school tomorrow, it might be some time. 

So, here's to you, wonderful readers, and another year of blogging fun! Cheers!

40 comments:

  1. Ugh. I hate sewing seams together. It's my least favorite part of the project (maybe even more so than blocking!)

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  2. Andrea, I love to read your blog and I am cheering you on to your 2011 Resolutions!

    PS I hated the construction part of knitting until I finally GOT the mattress stich. Now, while I would still rather be knitting, I LOVE to see two pieces come together with and invisible seam! Here's to smooth seaming on the rest of Adam's jersey.

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  3. Happy Blogaversary! Raising a cup in a toast to you having another wonderful knitting year!
    (I'm not that crazy about seaming either... maybe that's why I knit so many socks?!)

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  4. Happy Birthday to your blog! Thanks for sharing the yarny goodness- I enjoy reading your blog.

    I too want to knit some warm socks for myself- the first and last pair I made was too big for me so I gave it to my best friend.

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  5. Long life to your blog!!
    Love the blue colour of the giveaway yarn! Thanks for the opportunity to make it one of my own!
    woolyknitnsbits (at) live (dot) ca

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  6. Happy blogiversary!
    The baseball jersey is really going to look amazing when it's done - your seaming looks great so far, and breaks are definitely needed when doing all that handwork. (I always under-estimate how much time it will take to seam something)

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  7. I agree, blogging just opens up the whole world, my personal blogging topic today ;) Andrea, you are one of my "bestest" blogger friends!

    Happy Blogiversary!

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  8. Happy Blogversary!!!
    Here's to many more!

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  9. I've never commented before, I love reading your blog and seeing all of the wonderful things you knit. It's very inspirational - thanks so much!

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  10. Yay! Resolutions! I am really loving the look of that sweater. I can't wait to see it finished.

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  11. Yay for the blogiversary! That sweater is going to be so nice! :)

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  12. The idea of all of that seaming makes me cringe! I did a seamed raglan once and I plan on avoiding doing it again at all costs.

    I like your goals for the year. I love wearing my own knits. It's a great feeling.

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  13. i so enjoy your blog! i haven't knit a sweater in pieces, the thought kind of makes me sweat, so i watch your seaming efforts in awe and admiration. when you finish the sleeves, i'd love to read about how you did it.

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  14. happy blogaversary!!
    good luck with the rest of the seaming. "you can do it!!"

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  15. wow, that seaming looks intimidating! good luck to you. i can tell the sweater is going to look great when you're finished.

    congrats on a year of blogging!! that's definitely something to celebrate. i can't wait to see what you make this year.

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  16. Happy blogiversary! Seaming is no fun, but it's necessary. A little break from it will do you good. I think the sweater will be really handsome when you finish. Did you like working with the Wool of the Andes?

    I've enjoyed getting to know you this past year through your blog. Your 2011 goals sound very reasonable.

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  17. Happy blogiversary!
    I hate seaming too, but I'm sure the sweater will look great once it's done!
    I like your goals for the year. You can't go wrong with more hand-knitted socks :D

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  18. I used to not hate seeming. Until a sweater I just finished and when I was doing the FO pics, partner said.... drum roll.... "is that a hole in the armpit?" sigh. now I've lost my mojo. :( Congrats on one year of blogging. I just finished my first year in November and I think it's made me a better knitter.

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  19. happy blogiversary! good luck with those seams, it doesn't look fun. and as for your resolutions, i especially like the socks for you :)

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  20. Congrats on the one year blogiversary!

    Good luck with all the seaming (blech!) and the 2011 goals (totally doable, IMO). Looking forward to reading all about these things on your blog for another year. :)

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  21. happy blogday! what a beautiful blue!

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  22. Happy Blogiversary! I've been wanting to try Rios! Also - the sock thing - I'm envious because I have yet to figure out how to make them perfect. I know I love wool socks...but the fit still eludes me ;-)

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  23. I love your blog. You are such an inspiration to us knitters! Keep it up!
    Traceymccarthy@gmail.com

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  24. Happy New Year Andrea! I am not posting for the contest (if selected please allow the generator to pick again--seriously, I really don't need more yarn) Your husband's sweater looks great. I really enjoy seaming, but haven't done a set in sleeve. I await your commentary on it.

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  25. I don't mind seaming too much nowadays, I hand-sew knitwear for a job so if I'm doing it for myself or someone I love it's that much better than that!

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  26. I did a sweater that had directions like that a while ago. It was pretty much "seam and weave in ends." That sweater didn't get seamed until almost 2 years later after I had more experience seaming other sweaters (without set in sleeves!).

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  27. Glad I found you this year! I can't wait to see what they new year holds for you and kudos on trying to live greener, that is one of my resolutions this year.
    Now the Malabrigo..ahhh now you are talking. :)

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  28. Congratulations on making really good doable goals for 2011. I have yet to make my goals so I'd be willing to bet you're going to do better than me :) The sweater is looking great so far!!
    Tricia

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  29. Congratulations on your anniversary. Good luck with getting to knitting for yourself

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  30. Hey, it's my blogiversary, too!

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  31. Happy Anniversary! I do everything I can to avoid seaming. Converting patterns to work in the round (which doesn't work with some stitch patterns), and picking up sleeve stitches instead of setting them in, which also doesn't always work.

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  32. What a lovely color! And I'm curious to see your finished sweater. Thanks!

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  33. Happy Blogiversary! I really enjoy your blog and am honestly amazed at all you get accomplished! How on earth do you get it all done!!!! You've inspired me to set some knitting goals as well. I think one for sure will be to start my Christmas knitting NOW so everyone gets their gifts on time!!!

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  34. Your goals for this year are fabulous, and I love that you'll end up with some great items for yourself at the end! Happy blogiversary :)

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  35. I think they're doable. I'm with you on goal 1, and 2, except 2 would be to knit more socks in general, for me or someone else :)

    Thanks for this awesome giveaway! I just love Malabrigo yarn!

    Elly

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  36. Happy blogiversary! Just saw your post on the sweater that made you cry, which is how I found out about your blogiversary. I hope by now you've wrangled this thing into submission. This kind of makes me glad my DH isn't much for sweaters--this sort of thing would make me do more than cry.

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  37. Happy Blogiversary! Rios is very nice to work with and that is a great color....

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