Tally Ho
Are you super impressed with how neat and tidy the above notebook looks? Look at those pristine tallies of each row knitted. I believe it is a work of art of a very organized knitter. Would you believe that the above notebook is NOT mine. It belonged to my mother and I inherited it along with many of her knitting supplies over ten years ago. I was always envious of her copious notes and really I tried to be just like her.
However, I am the kind of knitter who does a tally tick then wonders "did I just mark that row?" "I think I did" and then I would doubt it, or my cable rows were off or some other minor catastrophe occurred because I cannot keep track of tally marks.
I know you are shocked! I cannot tell you how many hours I would sit there counting rows or just stare at my knitting trying to figure out where I was on the pattern. I also believe there were tears involved because I can become quite emotional and impatient (who me?). Some good evolved from my errant ways. I can read my knitting. I can pick it up and look at it and see what row I just completed in a lace pattern. I can count rows and figure out how many I have left to do.
I have found through the years the solution to my neglectful ways of keeping track. First of all, I try as much as possible to knit fronts and back in one piece. I will alter a pattern if I have too. That takes the pressure off of making sure everything is the same length.
My next secret weapon are these little beauties. Locking stitch markers. I use these ALL THE TIME. I will clip them on when counting rows. I clip when I decrease or increase stitches. I also clip when I am doing a cable row. I clip when I finish a lace chart and before another. With the locking stitch markers I can spend minutes instead of hours reading my knitting and knowing where I am on any given pattern.
So tell me, are you a tally maker or a stitch marker user? Or do you have a different clever way of keeping track of your knitting?
What a treasure to have your Mom's book.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what kind of knitter I am! I use both tally marks and stitch markers and I still can not read my knitting! I have been knitting for almost a year and a half. I have not attempted cables or knitting lace yet {although I hope to try lace soon]nor can I read a chart. Pathetic isn't it?! I have a beautiful book of Lace knitting that I want to try except it is in charts and written for right handers [I'm a leftie]. I hope during the holiday break to have time to try it, we'll see. xx
I make tally marks, and then second guess myself a lot ;) I'm not fantastic at reading my knitting, but I muddle through ok. There is a fair amount of fudging that goes on, which is why I'm not very good at lace!
ReplyDeletei just use a kacha kacha to keep track of my rows :)
ReplyDeleteI'm suddenly intimidated! But thankful that you shared. I guess that as my skill level increases I'll remember what you shared here and say to myself, "Aha, I know what I need to do. Locking stitch markers. Or, make myself a tally chart."
ReplyDeleteRight now I only use regular stitch markers and a stitch counter. :)
Blessings, Debbie
I am learning how much I don't know. Like what the heck is a 'kacha kacha'. That book looks amazing-so incredibly neat. I tend to use both tallies and stitch markers. I am anal and scattered like that. I haven't tried the locking stitch markers yet. Hmm.
ReplyDeleteI inherited many knitting needles from my grandmother, although I think she had stopped knitting long before I got them. :) I love inheriting things!
ReplyDeleteAs for the color--it's a brighter, more orangey shade than the photo captures. Not nauseating in general, it is very pretty--but I am in an odd place right now! (Not in a bad way, just lots of things happening!) :)
Your mom was quite the organized knitter. I do like the idea of a dedicated notebook (much better than my "Oo scrap paper! This will do!" mindset).
ReplyDeleteI go both ways with the tally marks and the stitch markers, especially if I have to make two of one (like sleeves).
How special that you have your moms knitting notebook...love original handwriting since there is so little of it these days. I just started knitting this summer so I'm still trying to figure out my style. I think I like the notebook idea myself!
ReplyDeleteMy secret weapon is an app on my phone. Lately I have been using pen and paper and sometimes I end up with a sleeve longer than the other ;o)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm not clever at all. I take no notes then sit and stare at the knitting for hours trying to work out where I'm up to. The other day I was trying to knit with three kids climbing on me, losing my start of the round stitch marker in the process, and that night I spent the good part of an hour counting and recounting trying to find where the start was. Argh!
ReplyDeleteI use to be a tally marker all the time. Now only if the pattern is confusing. Tally marking in itself is confusing so I'm not sure if I'm helping myself all that much. A lot of questioning and counting is always involved. Half the fun, if you ask me! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous treasure! Currently I'm a sit and stare and count, count, count knitter but with my weaving I was a tally maker so maybe I'll continue it in my knitting when I finally choose a pattern complicated enough to warrant either choice?
ReplyDelete