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Finishing Workshop: Finishing Triage

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finishing knitsNow that you’ve decided which projects you want to finish and which ones you don’t (and hopefully dealt with those you didn’t want to finish quickly and without regret) it’s time to decide how you’re going to go about finishing the projects in your to do pile.

It’s possible there are some projects in there that are very close to being finished. It could be you just need to weave in ends, sew a seam or finish a sleeve before you’re done. Those should be considered separately and probably completed before you tackle any of the projects that are less far along. It’s a quick way to start finishing and will give you momentum for working on the projects that will take more time later.

Once you’ve decided on an order for working the easier projects (I would probably do them in order from nearest to completion to those that need more work) it’s time to look at the more time-consuming projects. I can’t say you should work these in time commitment order because there are other things to consider, such as whether something is seasonally appropriate or you have a deadline for knitting it (if it’s a gift or you’re expecting a baby, for instance) or if it’s something you just really want to have done so you can wear it. But it’s a good idea to have at least a vague plan before you get started.

I have a knit dress that’s all but done. I think it needs a little more edging, the ends woven in and blocking (really just washing, but it has a turtleneck that curls inappropriately so that needs to be dealt with before I can wear it). It still counts as unfinished even though it’s not on the needles. I’ll make the commitment to finish it this week, and I’d love it if you wanted to finish something this week, too. If you do, let me know!

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Comments

  1. I’ve decided this will be my Ravellenic Challenge, as I’ve got several projects that need finishing. Some just need to be washed & blocked, some need that and buttons or snaps (which will require sewing ribbon facings onto the buttonband). Then I have some that need a lot more work, which I’d like to have finished by the end of March. Making a plan!

  2. I’ve got to finish one slipper in order to make a pair for my kid, whose feet are cold. I can do that this week, so I’m committing to it now.

  3. I have a baby sweater that is about half way done that I need to finish up and a cowl that needs a seam sewn and blocking. Those are my goals.

Have you read?

Practice Colorwork on a Cute Knit Bunny

Sometimes I feel like knitters get intimidated to try new things because they think they need to start with a big project. Your first time working in the round doesn’t need to be a sock, and your first colorwork doesn’t need to be a sweater, for example. You can find little projects that use the skills you want to learn to build your confidence before you move on to something that requires more time commitment.

This adorable knit bunny, for example.

The colorwork bunny from Knit Picks was designed by Amy Munson and is a kind of bowling pin shaped bunny complete with a knit hat, contrasting inner ears and a little stranded colorwork on its body. Note that the ears are attached the the hat not the bunny, but you could stitch them to the bunny if you’d rather.

It’s worked from the bottom up and also has a tiny pompom tail you can’t see in the picture but it’s a really cute touch. There are a variety of little fair isle patterns to choose from to make the best bunny for you.

The bunny comes out about 8 inches tall (or just over 20 cm) and use several colors to complete the colorwork, depending on the design you choose.

You can purchase the pattern by itself from Knit Picks, or make a kit that includes sport weight yarn in all the colors you need for your creation. There are gray and brown options for the main body of the bunny, but of course if you’re using your own yarn you can make it whatever color you like.

Once you’ve tried colorwork (maybe also working in the round and shaping if those are skills you haven’t used before) in a little project like this you’ll be ready to take on something bigger in no time.

Check out the pattern on Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks]