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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!

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?

Knits for the Table for Thanksgiving and Beyond

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long. 

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders. 

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well. 

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn. 

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions. 

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table. 

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter. 

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.