Homestead Journal at Fat Turkey Farm

Catching Up

There hasn't been too much going on at the homestead lately. 

Sadly though, we had to put down one of our layers.  She had a rectal prolapse that just would not go back, plus the other girls had taken advantage of her to peck on her a bit.  My son was a brave boy and said that since this was "his" chicken that he would put her down to save her pain.  He cried the whole way thru it, but he didn't give up or tell me he couldn't do it.  I'm so proud of him to be caring enough to ensure his animals arn't in pain.  Guess this means he's growing up. 

My daughter has been fighting a cold all week, and has been feeling pretty miserable, but hasn't let it slow her down much.  The coughing has let up so hopefully she is at the end of it.

As for me, well, the Knitting Gods have struck me down but good.  I have been attempting to start the "Lotus Blossom" tank sweater in the summer issue of Knits.  Attempting is the operative word here, since all my attempts have ended in dismal failure.  So here is the progression of my downfall.

Day 1.  Gathered up the yarn and needles, and sat down to cast on the edge. (yes, I didn't check my gauge) I got four rows into it only to realize that I twisted my stitches during the cast on and now have a womping boo-boo.  Off the needles it comes.

HOLY COW!  what the heck have I done?  These four rows knit in the round would be big enough to house a family in!  I'm talking tent sized here!!

Rip it out.

Day 2.  Gauge day (Yes, I see the wisdom of this now)  Cast on and knit on size 5's.  Rats, too big and I haven't even gotten close to the 36 rows they call for in the gauge.

Cast on and knit on size 4's.  Still too big, but better.

Cast on and knit on size 3's.  What is the problem here?  Its still too big.  I can't knit this on size 2's, the yarn is too big!  Ok, no, its not the yarn they call for in the pattern, but its pretty darn close.

Day 3.  I now have a plan that was hatched at 3am during a sleepless night.  I'll knit it on one size smaller needles than the pattern calls for, and I'll make it one size smaller than I actually am.

Cast on and knit 14 rows.  Hmmm, why have I gone thru 3/4's of a skein and I don't even have one pattern repeat done yet?  The pattern calls for 4 skeins of yarn, and at this rate I'll only get half of the sweater done before I run out.

Insert a life line and off the needles it comes.  I got it all laid out and started to measure.  Well, its smaller than the size I started with, but larger than the one I'm actually knitting.  I slipped it over my head and let it fall on my hips where it looks like it will sit in the picture.  This sucker is about 4 inches too big in the hip!

Oy Vey!  I just cant win can I?

Ok, I got a new plan now.  I'll make it another size smaller.

Rip it out.

Recast on in the next smaller size, and I have one round knit so far.  This does look better, but lets all keep our fingers crossed that its not going to be "too" small now!

I think maybe I need to have a yarn and fiber sacrifice to appease the Knitting Gods also.  Maybe dance around a fire and chant "Gauge is good, I love gauge"

What do you think?  Bye Bye!