I just finished the matching North Star Tam for Grandma and I was loving it. It's a beautiful pattern, I found it a lot easier to knit than the stole, despite its being classed as more difficult (this must be because it's just more interesting than a straight, flat knit), I really liked knitting it, and I loved the look. The one thing I didn't know was how big a tam should be. No idea. I've never worn one and I can't remember ever having known anyone who owns one. This left me just trusting that it would all be OK. I should have known.
As per usual with me at the moment, it wasn't OK. I just washed it and it went gigantic on me. I don't think it's salvageable at all and now I don't know what to do with it. Yes, I know, I could take the trouble to rip it out and salvage the yarn, but with all of the breaks in it and all of the ends that have been woven in, it would be a bit of a mess and would take forever. Considering that I got a fantastic deal on the yarn (it would cost me about $3 to re-knit the whole thing) I'm not going to go that route. I have so little time at home as it is that it's just not worth it for me. That leaves me wondering what to do with the thing. Do I send it to her anyway in the hopes that she can use it as a toilette seat cover? I honestly can't think of any other use for it. Maybe a hot water bottle wrap? I dunno.
Aside from my incompetence, I really do recommend this pattern to anyone looking to do a tam. It's beautiful and interesting. Love it. I will probably re-knit the Tam, just not today or tomorrow.
I figured out your problem with stuff growing on you. Actually, you may already know this, but it was bothering me that everything (ok, not everything, but you know!) you knit grows so much on you - bothering me for your sake because it must be excruciatingly annoying for you!
ReplyDeleteYou're using superwash wool. Superwash grows when it gets wet. It's that simple and unfortunate that there isn't a way around it other than knowing ahead of time that superwash is going to stretch out like a mofo when it gets wet.
Toilet seat cover- HA AHAHA
ReplyDeletethat was so funny!
Join a Tam exchange and send it to some scottish person!
If it is superwash wool, try wetting it and throwing it in a hot dryer. The usually tightens it right back up. If it's not superwash, felt it.
ReplyDeleteAwww! I don't have any advice because I have the same problem frequently, only with socks. I'll follow the pattern exactly and the socks will end up being gigantic. I also know what you mean about re-knitting with the same yarn. It's just not the same.
ReplyDeleteLove the stole!