knitting fears
I've found myself riding in the car a lot lately, and I took the opportunity to spend some quality time with my knitting needles. The Ruffled Surplice is nearly finished. I have two more rows to knit on the bottom ruffle, then just weave in the ends and block. Sounds simple enough. In fact, it's been in this state for a couple of days and I really could be done by now. But I'm at that point in the project where you worry that you picked the wrong pattern and that the yarn is WAY too heavy and the texture is way too bulky and the color is probably a little obnoxious and so you hesitate to finish the thing because then all your fears will be realized. I do this all the time. Sometimes it all works out ok. But I have a really bad feeling about this one.So, like the brave little knitter I am, I avoided finishing the surplice and started a new project! I've had yarn for the Summertime Tunic from Interweave Summer 2007 for quite a while, and after one trip to New York City (and back) (in one day) (don't ask) I have a good portion of it done. And speaking of 
obnoxious colors---watch out now! I'm using Elann Sonata in Grand Canyon and I thought I was going to get a muted terra cotta, but I am knitting with pumpkin orange. I think I need to dye it, but I'm still deciding. Has anyone ever dyed something after it's all knit up? Tell me it can be done.
obnoxious colors---watch out now! I'm using Elann Sonata in Grand Canyon and I thought I was going to get a muted terra cotta, but I am knitting with pumpkin orange. I think I need to dye it, but I'm still deciding. Has anyone ever dyed something after it's all knit up? Tell me it can be done.
posted by jenna at 9:23 AM
14 Comments:
well, I am loving the color of the surplice sweater. I hope you fears are unfounded and it comes out as gorgeous as it looks.
Don't know about the tunic dyeing. Good luck with that one.
I don't see why you couldn't dye something already knit - just make sure you really soak it to get inbetween all the stitches.
I like the surplice so far - maybe you should try it on before you finish and weave in ends?
i actually love both of the colors for your projects. but i know what it's like to be using something you're less-than-thrilled with. I've never dyed a finished sweater before, but I've heard of people overdying successfully, so it should work if the pumpkin color doesn't grow on you before it's finished. Sounds like a scary process though, after all that work!!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you on the Surplice sweater, personally I have a good feeling about it, so maybe that will even out your bad feeling?
I like the pumpkin orange, but if it's not for you, you can absolutely dye it afterwards, you will just need to make sure you find a cotton friendly dye - but there are plenty of clothing dyes that I'm sure would work.
i LOVE the surplice, color and texture and all. and i dyed a finished ballet tee after it was done. didn't turn out too badly.
I think the colors are gorgeous from your pics! It doesn't look obnoxious at all.
Sorry for the random comment out of the blue, but as I googled for some inspiration for my own ruffled surplice I came across your blog. You're not the only one with doubts about that sweater, mine is in the exact same stages, and I'm doubting too. It's really heavy, a weird coral color that I thought was pinky but now it's kinda orange, and my ruffle will not lay flat.
Hopefully when it's all said and done, we'll have lovely sweaters in pretty summery colors that aren't around our knees! Goodluck!
On my screen, the colors look really good, not obnoxious. I have heard of people dying knit garments, but if you're nervous, maybe you can try dying your swatch first? The summertime tunic didn't take that long to knit, but still, you'd hate to do all that if you weren't gonna love it at the end
The ruffled surplice looks fabulous! Honestly...It will turn out great...I can't wait to see it!!!!
I think the pumpkin/terra cotta color is fabulous! I don't think you should dye it, but I think it could be done.
Don't chicken out! Color is your friend! Ask Josef Albers! Life is too short for neutrals!
Personally, I like orange. As you can tell if you've seen my progress shots of Coachella...As for the overdyeing, I have seen it happen successfully whilst whizzing around blogland. Can't remember where though. Sorry.
I've been wondering about this, too. I am about halfway through a new little Debbie Bliss seed stitch swing coat style cardigan for my little granddaughter.
I had the color in mind I wanted to make it and had already made pants and a skirt in coordinating fabric Isewn, not knit).
Couldn't find suitable yarn, went with white with color trim and cute buttons but ... I just don't like it now.
It's 100% cotton, so I know I could probably dye it but, wow, if it turns out even yukkier looking I will be bummed!
Let us know what you end up deciding to do. Sometimes when others chime in that they love what you are making, you can change your own dim view of it. Maybe that will happen since we all think your item looks really cute.
I could have written these comments re: not finishing a project because it seems all wrong and the fear of it turning out terrible makes me stuff it in the basket. However, I think these two projects are going to be beautiful. You're *so* close with the surplice cardi, you have to finish it just to see.
I have the same end of project angst every single time... But to be honest, I actually like both colors! I'm sure you could overdye it though...I saw a very successful overdye recently here: http://guavaseeds.blogspot.com/2007/06/knits-in-action.html - I think she was starting with a really light color but at least it didn't come out blotchy or anything like that...
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