So… I would love this blog to be full of all the spectacular things I make, but sometimes, the things I make are far from spectacular. I’m posting this just incase any of you are under the illusion that everything I make turns out the way it was meant to. *sigh*. (Apologies for the horrible photos, but even I can’t make a silk purse out of a badly knitted one).
I had such high hopes for this pouch. So high, I STARTED FROM SCRATCH THREE TIMES. Yes. Three times. from the very beginning. Up to about half way. Incidentally, that up there is the best view of it.
I’m actually annoyed because until I had to sew it together, it looked like it would be passable. Sewing it together just turned it into a mess. All the edges are wonky – I even tried to crochet the edges to tidy it up, and that just made it worse. (I crocheted the edges around the flap – that did improve it.) I guess this is why people knit in the round, isn’t it? The edges were just horrible. I hate to say it but crocheted edges are so much neater!
This is the inside. It’s my first attempt at Fair Isle knitting – and actually I don’t think I did too bad. (There are a few long strands of 8 stitches I should’ve secured, but forgot!). I was worried that it had puckered a bit (a common problem i think) but ironing it made it all look rather nice. I even managed my first ever button hole (ok, I did that twice too). And increases and decreases. I should’ve taken a photo before I sewed it together. Oh well. I can’t un-stitch it, incase you were gong to suggest that. I’ve already tried it 4 or 5 times, which has made the edges even worse.
Oh well. I have learnt a lot.
These are some useful videos:
SSK / slip slip knit – it’s a decrease.
Fair Isle (very good video)
Button Hole
Sorry to be so grumpy. It was just such hard work, and was SO CLOSE to being ok.
Bloody thing.
Any particular make of circular needles I should look out for?
//edit – that was my 100th post? Oh honestly!
Occasional Crafter 
Well, I like your pouch! I think your fair isle turned great!
I know what you mean about sewing sometimes messing knitting up. I am not fond of small size circular knitting (maybe because I never did give it a fair try?) What I did do in my recent bags (the ones you just commented on in my blog) was do them by double knitting. Very ingenious! It is probably not a good idea to try to combine it with fair isle, though! Are you on ravelry? I have all my notes about it there…
Actually, that’s a good point, might be a better idea to try something bigger for my first circular project! And yes – I remember your double knitting – the nice blocks! I will watch the videos again 🙂
Did I miss something, like maybe your invention of the time machine? Didn’t you just learn to knit at Easter. Are you expecting a bit much of yourself? You’ve progressed amazingly well and it looks like your tension is nice and even and that you managed the pattern aspect really well. So don’t be too hard on yourself.
Also we both know what I think of sewing and my trepidation at attempting assembly of things 🙂
Aww, thank you. I know it could be worse. That said, your sewing is a triumph! I shall bask in your glow instead 🙂
Gosh, I like it. But I know that feeling when you work and it doesn’t turn out the way you wanted/imagined. On the other hand, this purely non-biased viewer thinks it’s great!
Hello – thank you so much for taking the time to comment! Very much appreciated. I’ll stop being so cross now 🙂
I like it. I’ve been knitting longer than you have and haven’t yet attempted fair isle so I commend you for your adventerous ways. I’ll be checking other post of yours. As for circulars needles I just bought some Chiaogoo Reds and some Susan Bates. My Chiaogoos are size 2 and 3. I wouldn’t recommend a small size to start knitting in the round or attempt magic loop its a bit difficult to see the stitches but, have at it you’ve gone this far.
Hmm… I should probably get back to the wrap I was making before I go down a few needle sizes, shouldn’t I? 🙂 I was wondering how I’d get on with smaller needles, but thinking back to some of the stages of this, bigger is probably better for learning new things.
That Fair Isle video is really good actually. Its much easier than you might think. From what I can see, the main thing is making sure the threads aren’t too tight at the back – but the video explains all that. If you’ve been knitting a while I think you’d be fine.
Thank you for commenting!
I said start with bigger needles but the reality is any new technique either of us try is going to require patience. I don’t want to discourage you from giving smaller needles a try because depending on your next series of projects you’ll have to pick them up eventually. Just as I guess I shouldn’t discount myself from fair isle knitting. Whatever you decide have fun, be patient with yourself if it takes a few rip backs and enjoy your hard work.
I’m impressed. I can knit but I don’t… It grows too slowly. And I know I would struggle to do what you have done. Ok, it’s not perfect but it was a learning curve wasn’t it. We are always so hard on ourselves!
Your knitting is fab!! The tension is excellent and that is the hardest part. Well done you 😀
OK so it is not perfect but it was a first attempt and you only picked up a knitting needle at Easter and I am so proud of how far you have come in so short a time. I know you will have learnt more than you think you have from this project and when you try again you will understand what you did wrong this time around.
I know we can all learn a lot from books and tutorials but the best teacher is our own mistakes and making sure we do not repeat them. I have always said I learnt more from the mistakes of the people I have taught craft to than they have ever learnt from me,so good luck and keep trying