The past couple of days I have been obsessed with finishing the body portion of Tesla. I love the yarn, I love the knitted fabric even if it is not as open and metallic as the original sample at ArtFibers (I am knitting at a much tighter gauge after all) but I hate knitting this big lump of garter-stitch body in the round. At 4 3/4 stitches per inch I wouldn’t think that each row would be so onerous, but going around the body instead of just front and back is a pain. I am getting more than the original estimate of 33 rows per 4 inches as measured on my swatch however; in the actual garment I am coming in closer to 37 to 38 rows to 4 inches and they take forever.
I must face the fact that in the normal course of knitting I don’t mind seaming and I like looking at the flat piece. I can see where I am, I can eyeball the shape and tell how it is going fit-wise. This round thing just looks like a lump to me. It is a pain to take it off the needle, put it on yarn or thread, and try it on. I suppose I could use a longer circular needle so I could try it on the needles, but I hate having extra needle looping around in my lap while I knit. Who knew that I would become such a pig-headed obstinate knitter? Still this fabric would be a total pain to seam and I am happy knitting it in the round. I just can’t wait to get to the sleeves which are smaller and have shapping, besides which I will knit them on DPs which is more interesting to begin with. The yoke, where I join all the pieces will also be interesting. I just had to finish knitting the boring body.
Tuesday night after Group, I was determined to get the body finished. I had 2 inches to go, and you would not think that would take too long, would you? Well I get 2 to 3 rows done per half hour, do the math. I suppose I truly am a slow knitter.
There was some interest however as I had added some waist shaping, not originally called for in the pattern, but who cares about that, and so I had to add it back before the sleeves were attached. I came within about two rows last night when I went to bed because the husband would be a grumblebug today if I kept him up to long, and I got up early and snuck away early this morning to finish.
It doesn’t look like much does it? But I was so happy I was dancing around the kitchen floor making breakfast this morning.
I should get the sleeves started this weekend, not tonight, as I don’t want to take this project to knit on Metro North when I am tired after the concert. The socks will go to Manhattan with me today.