Confessions of a Mad Modifier

I'm officially a chronic pattern changer. There is no pattern that I've found that I've not felt would be a whole lot better if I completely redid at least one aspect of it. I once found a sweater at a store that I liked and decided I wanted to replicate. Except I wanted the yarn in a thinner weight, no sleeves, no hood, a different length, a completely different stitch pattern except for some detail work, a different border type, a different type of closure, and a different color. So basically all I really liked was a cable and hole pattern that was on the top of the chest and back and on the two hip pockets. And I'm not even sure I want the pattern on the back.

I'm having to cure this particular urge while doing my test knit. "Well, I like the bonnet but I think I'd rather have a different edging...no! Bad! Checking for errors means doing the pattern as written! Bad!"

This could prove interesting. On the upside, the main portion is done. I just have to knit the border, the straps, and a little flower. I do think I'll skip the little bow at the back though...

Learning

So here's the thing, since I was largely self-taught in the knitting department (beyond "this is how you knit and this is how you purl") anyway, I have very little experience following patterns or doing things that weren't made up by me. I basically spent 3 years making scarves. As a result of this, I'm not exactly the best pattern reader the world has ever seen. I understand the abbreviations and when I don't I know where to find help with the terms, but largely I'm not the person you want making you that extremely complicated cable cardigan (or really ANY cardigan or other variety of sweater). So where to go with this? I'm going to learn. And you're going to watch me!

Right now, I'm working on a test knit for someone. As soon as that is done I'm going to make socks! I found some nice toe-up patterns until I learn how much yarn I need for myself at which point I'll try some of the cuff down variety. After that, I'm going to try some lace. That's the big one. I've always wanted to make lace but never had the cajones to try. Well, that's about to change my friends! At some point, I really want to make a lace stole to wear when I get married. Sooner or later, I'll end up making myself a sweater too. But this entry is boring and needs more boobs, so I'll stop now.