I'm rattling up the back of the jacket. It's not perfect but I want it done and I have started so many things and have so much stuff that's there 'in potential' and I have done so many blog posts that have 'I will' in them that turned out to be more 'I won't' that I really want to finish this. As bear is carefully working his way through Chapter Two of Lord of the Rings I glanced over the rest of the pattern.
I chose the pattern because it's a jacket type thing which I want, it uses the right weight of yarn, it is mainly stocking stitch and it took their knitter 27 hours to finish it. It has a ruffle type thing on the front, but nothing's perfect. Now I have actually read the pattern and I'm horrified. The last three rows that you knit have 851 stitches in them! It's going to take me 27 hours just to count them! Yes, I know about counting twenty, putting in a safety pin, counting another twenty, putting in another safety pin, but 851 stitches - I'm shocked.
To be fair I've knitted ruffle scarves in the past which have easily 800 stitches on them, but this seems far more daunting and it has to be even. The ruffle goes up the right side, around the back neck and down the left side. I'll be knitting 851 stitches with three pieces hanging from it. I will keep updating because I'm not giving in.
Sarah - I'd forgotten about Alan Garner, thank you for reminding me. I loved Weirdstone of Brisingamen and the Moon of Gomrath. I'm worried that this stuff is too old for him, but I will let him see. I think I'll save those amazing suggestions for Christmas. I shall also look into a Wrinkle in Time.
I am wary of trying to push bear too much with his reading. It's slightly different when we read stuff to him, that's easier for bear and he can stop us and ask questions. I got given 'King Solomon's Mines' to read when I was around 9 and it was too much for me and put me off it, although we are considering reading it outloud to bear, along with things like 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' and '20,000 Leagues under the Sea'.
I'm tempted to go and read Weirdstone of Brisingamen again. Thank you!
That IS a lot of stitches to knit! I presume you are using circular knitting needles?
ReplyDeleteGlad to have been a help with the books. One of my writing group members is publishing a book for 9yr olds in October called Secrets and Ghosts. I'll send you a link when it's out. It's good.
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