Back in January I showed you a pattern for a rather comfy jumper, perfect for lockdown. I thought I might be able to get it finished for Miss Tialys the Younger’s birthday on 24th February.
This was the pattern
This was how far I’d got with it when I wrote the blog
and this is how far I’ve got with it now.
Yes, yes, I know it’s exactly the same photo enlarged but the sad truth is that really is about where I’ve got to again having had to start from scratch on more than one occasion. At one point, I had knit up almost the whole thing, excluding one sleeve, knowing there were two or three mistakes but thinking they wouldn’t show. How wrong I was.
Fisherman’s Rib. It seems like a simple enough stitch to do – a variation of k1, p1 rib in that you knit into the stitch below (k1b) instead of the usual knit stitch – and it is! The problems come if you should make a mistake by not putting the needle in the wrong bit of the knit stitch or, heaven forbid, drop a stitch altogether.
Not having the heart to take one of my own before ripping it all out, I’ve tried to find a photo of ‘a mistake in Fisherman’s Rib’ to show you the horror but couldn’t, even though the fact there are many, many tips, tricks and YouTube videos showing you how to put them right means I’m not the only one making them. I tried unknitting (or tinking, or frogging) then I tried unravelling rows and picking the stitches back up again but I couldn’t get them back on the needle the right way round. I thought I had succeeded at one point so carried on knitting but it left an obvious line through the back of the jumper and I knew I’d never be satisfied if I left it there. Nightmare.
In the end I undid it all right back to zero and was just going to leave it. I don’t like giving up though so I thought I’d try one more time and use a lifeline. For the non-knitters amongst you – and heaven knows why you’d have read this far as the pants would surely have been bored right off you by now – that means threading a piece of wool through a row so that, if a mistake occurs later on, you don’t have to rip out the whole piece but only as far down as the lifeline. Obviously, as you progress with a few inches of faultless knitting, you take out the lifeline and move it up to create a new one.
Needless to say, since inserting a lifeline I haven’t made a mistake but there’s still a long way to go and it’s last chance saloon for this jumper because, although I really like the effect of that raised rib, and I’ve been able to use stash yarn, life’s too short to grapple with it repeatedly when I could be getting on with something else.
Anyway, the 24th of February came and went with no jumper for Miss T. the Younger.
However, I’d spotted on a blog somewhere, something else I fancied having a go at so I abandoned the needles for a hook, found some double knitting yarn in the remains of my stash and made these instead which, as she’s just moved into a new flat, served as a little house warming gift too.
Ahh! I’d forgotten the more ‘instant fix’ joys of crochet.
If you are a knitter, have you ever tried Fisherman’s Rib and, if so, did you manage to get to the end of a project without tearing your hair out?
If you are not a knitter, I apologise for the non-quilting/dressmaking/general crafting/gardening/animal based content of this post and, be assured, I will be back to one or other of those subjects -or something else altogether – before too long.
In the meantime, and as compensation, here’s another couple of woolly jumpers.
Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.
Tialys 
#1 by Wild Daffodil on March 10, 2021 - 08:27
Wow – that shows real determination! I have never done Fisherman’s Rib, but it sounds a lot like Brioche Stitch, which I have done, with no problem.
However I had similar ripping it back issues with the mosaic crochet blanket I have just done. I think I must have done every row twice by the time I finished.
Cute cacti!
#2 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 12:35
Ah, well then – I think Fisherman’s Rib is similar to Brioche Stitch but easier so you’d have no problems with it.
I just went slightly insane and decided to join in with Black Sheep Wools KAL as I fell in love with their ‘A Day Out’ blanket being squares with different designs like a lovely knitted patchwork. Of course, I need another blanket like a hole in the head but have justified it by saying some of the squares – like mosaic knitting – are not in my repertoire as yet and, of course, I have deemed it necessary that they should be.🙄
#3 by DawnGillDesigns on March 10, 2021 - 10:23
I can’t knit, and I’m still learning with the crochet (but loving it) I suppose the advantage of the lifeline thing (sounds genius) is you could also use it every 20 rows or so as a row counter. Good luck!
#4 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 12:30
I love crochet too – it took me a long time to get round to it as my Mum taught me to knit when I very young and she didn’t crochet. I now prefer to ‘do’ crochet but rarely see a pattern for clothing I like – although they do seem to be getting better and better now – so tend to knit for clothes and crochet for crafts and accessories.
#5 by DawnGillDesigns on March 11, 2021 - 10:15
I’m just doing a cardy for me. So far, so good with it, its the Daisy Chain Cardigan here https://www.peppergoose.design/crochet-design . I made her bobble hat, and she was incredibly helpful when I asked for sizing options, plus the pattern was super easy to understand, so I felt that I could risk this!
#6 by tialys on March 11, 2021 - 13:01
That’s pretty – what colour are you using? I’m rather taken with this one https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/southern-pines-sweater that the Snail of Happiness did and I might give that a go when I finally finish this monster.
#7 by claire93 on March 10, 2021 - 11:11
oh dear for the having to start again (and again)! This stitch pattern looks simple but it obviously requires a bit more concentration and, in a light-coloured yarn, yes, every mistake will show. Hope you keep up the motivation to get it done, with lifeline method, because it’ll look lovely!
At least you had fun with making crochet cacti ^^ Instant gratification!!!
#8 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 12:27
I hadn’t done any crochet for ages so it was good to keep my hand in on a small project. I just love those teeny tiny little ceramic pots too – they’re only about 6cm across the top.
#9 by claire93 on March 10, 2021 - 13:53
I need to get back to crocheting a few amigurumis. Just so many other things I want to do too!
#10 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 14:09
So many rabbit holes so little time.
#11 by claire93 on March 10, 2021 - 14:29
and sitting in front of computer isn’t helping to get anything done ^^
#12 by katechiconi on March 10, 2021 - 12:38
Straight over my head…. but I’m so sorry for your pain and wasted effort! I guess it’ll appear some time looking (to my eyes, anyway) faultless, but you probably need some time away from it!
#13 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 12:46
🤣
Well, not a lot goes over your head.
I’m chugging along quite well with it at the moment so, if I can finish the back without incident, you might well see a completed baggy jumper at some stage in the future and, if you do, it will be me wearing it as I won’t be giving it away.
#14 by Evie Jones on March 10, 2021 - 13:37
I loathe fisherman’s rib, and by default, brioche. I just can’t with them so avoid like the plague. Although at the moment I’m torturing myself with the lace border of a shawl. There are many mistakes being finangled, because I can. It’s a shawl and no-one will ever see them. Sadly not an option with rib. May the knitting goddess be kind to you.
#15 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 14:10
If the knitting goddess is kind to me and I ever get this finished and wearable, rest assured, I will never darken the doors of fisherman’s rib again.
#16 by nanacathy2 on March 10, 2021 - 14:45
No I never tried this, and no I don’t think I ever will now. Best of luck.
#17 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 18:46
Don’t be put off by me – it might never happen to you. It is a nice stitch to look at and feel though so it’s a shame it’s such a pain to correct.
#18 by Emmely on March 10, 2021 - 14:51
To a non-knitter it sounds like a nightmare. The crochet cacti are adorable though.
#19 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 18:47
They are cute aren’t they? I must make some more as there are quite a few different types to try in the book I bought.
#20 by Laurie Graves on March 10, 2021 - 17:32
Not a knitter, but no worries! Always enjoy reading about the creative process, whatever the medium. And I find there are always lessons to be learned. Bonne chance!
#21 by tialys on March 10, 2021 - 18:51
I like reading about the process too although I can switch off a bit if it’s a craft I’m not sold on, like Scrapbooking for instance. On the other hand, I know nothing about weaving but the process fascinates me and so do the results.
#22 by sew2pro on March 10, 2021 - 21:00
I appreciate the words of caution for a reluctant neo-knitter such as myself and I’m intrigued to learn there is something called brioche stitch (yummy!) which I’ll look up now. But really I’d read your posts if they were about anything, except perhaps rugby though you could probably make that work too with a pic or two of cute mammals!
#23 by tialys on March 11, 2021 - 13:09
I think brioche stitch is similar to this but harder 😕 Why are you reluctant about knitting? Has somebody demanded you knit them a garment and you don’t want to disappoint?
You say the nicest things to me about my posts but I promise there will never be anything about rugby as I know absolutely nothing about it – although that doesn’t always stop me 😉
#24 by magpiesue on March 10, 2021 - 22:15
Well, it does look a comfy jumper to wear but the pair at the bottom of your post are cuter. I suppose into every crafter’s life some rain must fall, errors must occur. You are to. be commended for your perseverance. The cacti are darling, about the only type I would put up with in my home!
#25 by tialys on March 11, 2021 - 13:03
I might crochet some more of those cacti for me – although my other daughter will need a house warming gift soon so maybe I’ll save the three teeny pots I have left for her.
#26 by kathyreeves on March 10, 2021 - 22:32
You are so persistent, I think I would have given up! I’ve never done that stitch, not sure I want to after hearing about your struggles!
#27 by tialys on March 11, 2021 - 13:02
You are stronger than you think! Look at your Orkney project. If you can do that you can do anything.
#28 by kathyreeves on March 11, 2021 - 15:28
I can do counting, it’s the fancy stitches that scare me!!
#29 by tinaor on March 11, 2021 - 18:16
If you read my blog regularly you will see there are sometimes (many times?) unfinished projects. You are not alone! I have done a fisherman’s rib – but only as a hat brim – it was really nice when finished, gave the hat a different kind of look. Love the woolly jumpers you shared! Love the cacti too.
#30 by tialys on March 12, 2021 - 11:01
I do love the fabric the stitch produces which is why I’m persevering – a hat brim sounds just the right size to tackle.
#31 by tinaor on March 11, 2021 - 18:17
Can I mention the mixing bowl as well? Is that allowed? I have my Nan’s old one which looks like yours – though I think yours might not be nearly as old. Thinking my Nan was married in the 1930’s and it could have been a wedding present! You can’t beat design!
#32 by tialys on March 12, 2021 - 11:03
These Mason Cash bowls seem to have been around for years don’t they and, although the design hasn’t changed much, I love the new colours they come in now. I keep being tempted by a pink or blue one or even one with strawberries in relief but can’t justify it unless something terrible happens to the present one. See, I do try to be sensible.
#33 by tinaor on March 13, 2021 - 15:02
Similarly, I hold on to my original but yearn too to maybe see one in my cupboard in pale pink!
#34 by Bear on March 15, 2021 - 00:03
LOL! love the wooly jumpers… lol! I’ve put away my knitting for the moment. I’m actually out of yarn enough to knit anything. Time of the year thing. knit/crochet for me is usually a winter activity.
#35 by tialys on March 15, 2021 - 12:44
Yes, me too but now I’m back in England, the amount of time it’s too hot to crochet or knit has diminished somewhat 😉