33 Comments
User's avatar
Dorothy's avatar

As a certified Master Hand Knitter I am absolutely appalled that you would just wing it. I know the proper way to do this and I have done it. Well, once for my certification. Every other time I wing it just like you do. Nine times out of ten it works.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

I figure it’s just yarn. Having to rip it out isn’t anything like making a critical error in my real job. Nobody dies when I get a wonky button band (though I may invent new swear words!).

Linda Childs's avatar

You look so pretty!!!!!!

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

Aw! Thanks, sissie!! ❤️

Linda Childs's avatar

It's a pretty one!!

Marsha's avatar

Beautiful sweater

Julie's avatar

Gobsmacked how gorgeous this sweater is. Beautiful work as always. Sending good thoughts John’s way.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

Thanks. He’s actually doing pretty well. It’s just a new set of challenges to navigate.

MK's avatar

Ooolalah! That sweater-so-far is fabulous!

I’m in a knitting funk. I am trying to use my dang stash. I bought it cause I liked it! Anyway, started two projects with yarn that I decided is not fun to knit. It’s Drops Alpaca and I bought a bunch, thinking I’d make sport-weight socks. That was about 20 years ago. Twenty years. In those twenty years, I made a small shawl with some of it, and I now remember that I didn’t enjoy knitting with it then…Both projects are now frogged and I am off looking for something different in the stash. Yarn will get donated.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

I’ve had yarn like that. I remember a lovely ivory silk lace yarn that I hung onto for years because it was one of those “precious” yarns. When I finally used it, it was so awful to knit with that I threw it out. 2000 yards of silk lace weight in the trash. Not one bit of regret, either.

Marla Shoemaker's avatar

Could you maybe hold two strands together- adding something else that you know you like to knit with? Maybe you would like it then...?

MK's avatar

Thank you for the suggestion! I will mull it over!

SueBelle's avatar

Bless you and your precious family. Your knitting is phenomenal. If no one has told you today , I’m very proud of you! 👏

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

Thank you for that!

Teyani Whitman's avatar

Your sweater is emerging as a beauty! I truly hope that the new regimen helps John.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

He seems to be doing ok. His oncologist does a little “joy dance” when she sees him, so I think all is going well.

Teyani Whitman's avatar

I kinda love this, to tell you the truth!

Jennifer Heimach's avatar

Your sweater is beautiful. And thumbs up for “winging it”. Isn’t that a perfect metaphor for life, your life right now? And you have something so beautiful, maybe with a “twisted stitch” or two but you still have the warmth and comfort that surrounds you. May you feel that warm and comfort today.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

Thanks for this. It’s a great thought.

Marla Shoemaker's avatar

Sure love your sweater! Cancer treatments are no fun. Everything in both your lives is affected! But it doesn't last forever. One day at a time.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

Thanks! In those occasions when I decide to have a pity party, I remind myself how lucky we actually are.

Cate - a Snowball in Hell's avatar

What a lovely sweater. Nicely done. I always wing it with my knitting. I’m currently adding increases to a brioche shawl because my count wasn’t right. “It’ll be fine,” I tell myself, knitting and hyperventilating at 3am like the stress goblin I am because I watched the news again. Gah! It’ll be fine.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

Oof. I mostly don’t watch the news. We used to watch every night, but it just makes me so mad that I read instead.

Logan's avatar

Those cables on the back are just stunning! Don’t be surprised if some knit nerds follow you around staring at the cables. I think they would draw me like a magnet.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

It’s a great design. The cables are very simple, but really make the whole pattern.

Vicky K's avatar

I Love that sweater, it's beautiful, what a great job you are doing. I'm a cardigan girl myself ;), tho I knit top down sweaters so I don't have to do a button band for children :P. I don't even put buttons on, I like it open, if it's cold enough for buttons I just through on a jacket over it. I understand not liking to do button bands, I prefer to knit it as I knit the body, cos I'm lazy :P. Sorry about the chemo, life has a lot of unpleasant curves. I have a friend who is also going through chemo and has just started radiation as well, neither of which is pleasant. Thank goodness for things like knitting and other hand crafts that give us the opportunity to decompress and reflect. Prayers for you and your family.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

Thanks for the prayers. Just knowing that people are doing so helps.

Woodsprite's avatar

That sweater is amazing. Also that’s the button band math I use too 😂

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

I’m all for winging it. It’s just knitting. I’m not afraid of ripping and do-overs.

Kavitha's avatar

Your sweater looks brilliant. Sending good thoughts.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

Thanks for that!

Kai Kinzer's avatar

Gorgeous sweater and it really complements your hair.

Personally I would nix the buttons idea and just use pre-glued Velcro.

The Knitting Doctor's avatar

The yarn is almost the same color as my hair! The buttonhole instructions were simple to follow. I’m always cold, so having it button closed is nice.