[Added on 5/16] Scenes from my knitting project: Slowly knitting clothes

[5/16] York, the second film, is moving at a slower pace.

Perhaps it's good to be a little anxious about what the future holds.

Knitting the same piece repeatedly can be reassuring and relaxing, but it also tends to slow down progress.
It should turn out without any problems, and it absolutely must.

At times like these, I sometimes wish I had someone to knit for me...

However, it's also true that it was a knit pattern and size that I wanted to check out for myself at least once.
I didn't go down the route of having someone else knit it for me, and that's how things have ended up where they are now.

Unlike the first project, this time I have almost no thoughts about this particular piece, so I sometimes get bored while knitting or start thinking about other things.

At that time, I felt like trying to take a video, and I think that helped me enjoy York more.

It's still a long road ahead, but it seems I have no choice but to move forward while adjusting my motivation and pace.

[5/12] Deviating from the 3XL yoke, I started beadwork.

I've started knitting the second sample.

From the size range I decided on this time, I decided to try knitting the smallest and the largest sizes.

Since it's a piece I've already knitted once, all that's left to do is keep my hands moving.

I planned to get through it quickly without spending too much time on it, but I also factored in the possibility of occasional detours.

I was quite excited when I unexpectedly knitted a cute little sheep.

This is the designated spot for the crochet hook, which is often misplaced and lost without realizing it.
I named it Hookrest.

With my quiet sheep in tow, I'll be heading back to York soon.

[5/9] Loose-fitting crochet top

Finish by using a steam iron with the iron floating above the fabric.

Once the knitting settled, it started to look like a top.

The width is quite loose, but let's assume this is a size S.
I plan to check if there will be any problems even if the size is significantly increased.

This piece features a design that combines a boat neck and a round yoke.
To prevent the center from becoming wavy, the shoulders are designed with a "sloping shoulder" shape.

I was concerned that if the shoulders were sloped downwards, the shoulders and collar might lift up together when raising your arms in a "banzai" pose.
This is the balance I achieved by re-knitting and adjusting the yoke.

It lifts the shoulders slightly more than a broad-shouldered design, but the width of the body allows for smooth movement.

I wanted to ensure that the garment would be comfortable to wear, so I'm relieved that it turned out to be in a form I'm happy with.

The initial size range goes up to 3XL.
The sample yarn arrived quickly, and I was ready to start knitting right away.

I'm tempted to knit a different design, but I'll resist the urge and focus on achieving my goal this time.

[5/1] Making knitting patterns while taking detours

We've reached the phase of translating the artwork into patterns.

I took a step back and looked at the steps I'd taken so far from a slightly more objective perspective.

This time, the apparel represented a new and experimental approach.

Initially, the rules to be envisioned were still vague, and the project involved a large number of stitches.

I learned from past failures that being meticulous in the process is actually the quickest way to success.

While the consistency of the rules themselves rarely breaks down, if you proceed without a clear understanding, you may fail to notice the confusion lurking somewhere in your mind.
Ultimately, my plan and the actual operation didn't align, leading to a mistake and requiring me to start over.

It can be frustrating, but it's definitely true that you're less likely to make mistakes if you translate the rules you've envisioned into a visible form before you start knitting.

Up until now, I've been driven by the desire to knit quickly and check the results, but I've made so many mistakes that I can now restrain my eagerness.

After taking a moment to compose myself, I began knitting this piece while creating the knitting pattern.

The part I paid the most attention to ensuring consistency was the patterned knitting around the neckline.

Aside from the collar area, the pattern is relatively simple, and the main point to pay attention to is counting the stitches.
There are some parts where I feel it might be easier to knit if the instructions were written out in text rather than using a pattern chart.

When I think of knitting patterns, I immediately picture easy-to-understand diagrams and logical English pattern texts as the tools I use to express myself.

The ideal procedure manual is one that is easy to understand in parts, and maintains overall clarity.

I often find myself moving back and forth between the concrete and the abstract, and time flies by while I'm trying to organize my thoughts.

I used the comforting excuse of "to refresh myself" to justify my detour into beadwork.

[4/27] Feeling restless, the end of the wear

The finish line is in sight.

The sleeves were easy to figure out, so it looks like we'll be able to finish without any revisions.

Looking back, I started knitting on April 15th.
I spent some time experimenting with York, but because it's a simple design, I was able to get closer to completion by quietly working on it.

If I were to knit a second one, I think I could do it at a leisurely pace while listening to something on Audible.

As I pondered these things, a flood of ideas for my next knitting project began to emerge.

My passion for beadwork is far from over, and I can't wait to use the materials I've been carefully selecting and accumulating.
I've started to wonder about that package that arrived from France and I'd left untouched for a while.

The variety and combinations of beads are endless.
I know that once you start, it's not easy to come back.

Decluttering your desires is not easier than subtracting elements from your design.

[4/25] Subtraction is actually more difficult.

To add or not to add?
I paused for a moment as I was finishing knitting the bottom of the dress.

The stitch count was adjusted so that a pattern could be created at the end.

I was tempted to do something more, but I just finished the final touches and called it a day.

The reason why addition feels easier might not be solely due to calculations.

If you don't add a pattern, you might lose the feeling of having "knitted" something.
With that in mind, adding a patterned stitch at the end seems like a choice that will bring a sense of satisfaction and contentment.

However, this reminds me of the feeling I often encounter when trying to buy ready-made clothes.
"I wish it didn't have this decoration."

What do you think of the stitch pattern I'm planning to add?

I asked that question, nodded in agreement with the reasoning behind choosing a minimalist design, and finished knitting the bodice.

The image is clear from the very beginning.
Before the gauge changed, I jumped into the part where I wanted to knit quickly.

[4/23] Reconsidering the limitations of crochet clothing

The flowers are almost in full bloom and are starting to look like proper clothing.

When it comes to knitted clothing, many people probably picture ribbed knitted sweaters.

Even with crochet, I sometimes create pieces that are inspired by knitted sweaters.
It's interesting and refreshing to be able to knit a sweater that's "like knitting with knitting needles."

Crochet is a technique where the fabric is completed with each stitch you make.
It's easy to untie without dropping any threads, and its appeal goes without saying.

However, when considering it from the perspective of clothing, it's true that crochet has significant structural limitations.

I often find myself thinking about designs while grappling with such constraints.
Compared to knitting with straight needles, there are two major limitations, even just in terms of design.

One issue is that "you can't knit the same fabric using back-and-forth knitting and circular knitting."

If you only do crochet, it might seem obvious, but with knitting needles, you can knit the same stockinette stitch fabric whether you knit in the round or back and forth.
This is an element that affects the degree of design freedom.

The second issue is that "short-row knitting is practically impossible."

This is also due to the fact that it's not possible to do a knitting technique similar to stockinette stitch with a crochet hook; it's difficult to create curves or variations in the fabric without making them noticeable by knitting back and forth.
This also affects how comfortable the garment is to wear.

However, crochet clothing isn't all disadvantages; it also offers greater design freedom.

For example, because the knit fabric is sturdy, the design looks good even without knitting ribs.
The fun part is that you can knit a silhouette that resembles woven fabric.

Perhaps the reason I was able to think about these things while knitting was because I chose a knit pattern that resembles a crochet version of the "stockinette stitch desert."

Even after this work is completed, it seems there will be many more issues to examine.

[4/22] Considering the size range, it will be at its best soon.

The silhouette is starting to come into view.
The design remains relaxed, staying true to the original concept.

As the yoke season ended and we reached the stage where we could separate the peak blooming period from the yoke season, I thought about many things.
Normally, once York is over, we would move on to a more relaxed phase.

What was different this time was that we thought more deeply about the size range than ever before.

This item has a relaxed fit, roughly equivalent to a Japanese size M to L.
It's possible to give it a bit more width, so in that sense, it's clear.

However, the ability to knit indefinitely large is both my ideal and my challenge when it comes to patterns.

While some might argue that offering sizes up to 5XL is more user-friendly for overseas markets, these two approaches, though overlapping in results, have slightly different underlying objectives.

I imagine that if we can solve the pattern-related issues, we should eventually be able to expand the size up to 5XL.
I can imagine it, but there are some designs that I haven't organized yet.

I explored this challenging theme through actual design and stitch counting.

It took quite a long time.
If we hadn't thought about it, the flowers might have already reached their peak bloom.

Nothing will change with this project, but the design process has become more interesting.

The fact that the design of this top turned out to be more to my liking than I expected might be one of the reasons why I'm getting more interested in it.

[4/19] York was not an easy task.

I hesitated, and then I untied the yoke.

We came so close.
I could have continued on this path, but I've decided that if I'm ever unsure, I'll untie my old habits.
I felt a little relieved because I was confident that the next one would be successful.

The progress hasn't changed much from three days ago, but a yoke has formed at a slightly different angle.

This latest increase in diversified investments is the best I've come up with.
This knit fabric showed great potential, so it was a point I couldn't compromise on.

Even though this one piece is still far from finished, imagining alternative developments makes me so excited that I can't wait any longer.

I keep putting off "knitting slowly."

Today the sky is a beautiful blue, making it the perfect weather to go outside.
This is the season when I have to knit while also finding a balance between wanting to do some gardening.

[4/16] York, where we pour our maximum energy.

I'm adding this note with a slight surprise, realizing that the title actually said "Slowly Knitted Clothing."

The yoke with distributed increases is something you can't stop knitting once you start.

Distributed increases are really difficult, and you can't tell if it's a success or a failure just by knitting a swatch.

Nevertheless, my desire to try a distributed increase stitch pattern that I've never knitted before wins out.

The more you crochet, the less unknown there is, but distributed increases are a world that remains endlessly profound.

Since there's a high chance of failure, it might not be considered an efficient method.

Nevertheless, there's something undeniably appealing about distributed increases that makes you want to knit them.
The resulting knitted fabric is beautiful, and if successful, the design will be clean and simple.

It's also a joy to be in charge of a design that I've created through trial and error, and that makes it easy for those who are knitting to create.

Now, let's talk about this top.
This was no exception; I had to redo it about twice until I was satisfied with the amount of increases.

The part about knitting clothes slowly should be after the yoke.

I have a feeling this will turn out to be a piece I'm really happy with.

I continue knitting, hoping that it will work this time...

[4/15] Finished swatching with Isager Merilin

Lately, I've been spending more time in front of my computer than knitting.

When you actually sit down and start knitting, you'll be surprised to find out just how fun knitting can be.

It's not that I wasn't knitting, but...
The excitement of experiments and discoveries seems to be quickly overshadowed by the mental demands of working on the computer.

After knitting a few swatches, it was finally time for the real thing.

The difficult color selection process is now complete.

This time, I repurchased Isager Merilin.
First it was a shawl, the second was a sweater, and this time it's a top in light gray.

The heathered color variations are lovely.
A subtle sheen to the linen and a soft, smooth feel.
The harmonious blend of wool and linen creates a wonderful and appealing yarn, not only in appearance but also in texture.

This project looks like it's going to be a long one.
I'll enjoy my time with Merilin until the day I can actually wear it.