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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?

Apple Knitting Patterns for Fall and Back to School

It feels like it’s too early to be thinking about back to school, but as I write this my daughter has just a couple of weeks of summer left! So let’s get in that school and fall knitting spirit by looking at some apple knitting projects. 

If you have a 22 needle circular knitting machine, knitting an apple is one of the easiest things you can do. I have an apple pattern over at Our Daily Craft that will take you just a few minutes to knit and they’re a great addition to your fall decor. 

Apple hats are a classic, and whether you want to knit a hat that looks like an apple or one with apples on it, we’ve got you covered. For hats that look like apples check out the rolled brim version from Emma Crochet Design 4 U, which uses worsted weight yarn and comes in sizes for kids of all ages; and the ribbed brim version from Hand Knit Hugs. This one also calls for worsted weight yarn and comes in four kids sizes. Both include a stem and leaf. 

If you’d rather have apples on your hat, try the Red Apple Hat from Little Red Window. This one is sized from newborn to 2T and calls for four colors of worsted weight yarn. 

How about apple socks? You’ll find Ariel Chang’s Apple Picnic Socks as a free download on Ravelry. These use three colors of sock yarn and come in three sizes. Stone Knits also a pair of stripey apple socks that show the inside of the apple. These also have three sizes but they use six colors total, with the main color being a self-striping yarn. 

If you want a little apple accessory for the house, the apple potholder from Nifty Knitter Designs is cute and a great way to practice double knitting. It uses two colors and you’ll find the colors in the reverse on the other side. The pattern only uses about 50 yards of each color of worsted weight yarn, so it’s a great use for odd balls, too. 

Once you’ve got your double knitting skills sorted you can also try the double knit apple scarf from Crow and Chai Shop. The Winter Apples scarf is shown in red and gold, but you can use whatever colors you like. There are apples, stars and random stitches in the design, which calls for DK weight yarn. There’s also a matching fingerless glove pattern.