knitmisc &c.

I make stuff sometimes (and maybe post it).

[knitmisc]

I've been knitting even though I haven't posted in ages. (There have been weeks of no knitting because of falling into the Depression Void (TM) in there but I'm balancing on the edge/clinging to high crags rather than actively falling, so that's something.)

Among other things, I made another veg:

[image description: a small knit broccoli floret /end description]

It's approximately broccoli.

I'm not sure if I want to try again with adjustments to shaping (wider floret part, add branches (I tried but it looked uncomfortably phallic). But I'm pretty happy with it as is.

[knitmisc]

I've been thinking of it more as "brogle" like the meme than broccoli because it's more fun that way.

[image description: A drawing of a broccoli spear in green marker on lined notebook paper above a cropped bit of a worksheet asking "what's your favorite vegetable?" with the answer "brogle" (a misspelling of "broccoli") /end description]

[knitmisc]

I've been knitting even though I haven't posted in ages. (There have been weeks of no knitting because of falling into the Depression Void (TM) in there but I'm balancing on the edge/clinging to high crags rather than actively falling, so that's something.)

Among other things, I made another veg:

[image description: a small knit broccoli floret /end description]

It's approximately broccoli.

I'm not sure if I want to try again with adjustments to shaping (wider floret part, add branches (I tried but it looked uncomfortably phallic). But I'm pretty happy with it as is.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/27/2026

stitches worked: 0

stitches frogged: 0

I did not knit at all today. I also did not frog the work I've done so far on the skirt piece. I want to try another swatch first to make sure it's not a foolish choice. I don't know if I'll get to it tomorrow either (for once I have plans).

I'm also considering going from a daily diary post to weekly instead to give myself more flexibility, and maybe then it'll feel more worthwhile to take pictures too. We'll see.

[knitmisc]

Okay so I did a mini-swatch with the smaller needles and unfortunately I'm pretty sure I need to rip out everything I've done so far to adjust my approach. I'm not going to do that tonight (I should go to bed) but I'm pretty sure that's the better approach long term.

I did not count stitches in the swatch; there was some frogging two-thirds through and then I frogged the whole thing because I don't need it. (I think it's the stitch-and-frog counting that I'm getting hung up on: data is fun but also the stitch count doesn't really matter to me in this context, and in some ways distracts and makes me anxious.)

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/27/2026

stitches worked: 0

stitches frogged: 0

I did not knit at all today. I also did not frog the work I've done so far on the skirt piece. I want to try another swatch first to make sure it's not a foolish choice. I don't know if I'll get to it tomorrow either (for once I have plans).

I'm also considering going from a daily diary post to weekly instead to give myself more flexibility, and maybe then it'll feel more worthwhile to take pictures too. We'll see.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/26/2026

stitches worked: 870

stitches frogged: 72

stitches cast on: 20

Seven rows, and part of me wants to keep going tonight. However, I'm considering frogging the whole thing so far and restarting to double-knit the bottom edge instead of the folded hem I currently have, especially since I didn't actually catch the edge along the way (a deliberate choice at the time, perhaps foolish). I figure dk would save a bit of work when seaming, plus less bulk at the bottom edges of the seams.

I'm putting it off to make sure I'm sure because at over 3k stitches in it feels like a big choice. Also it might not look as neat based on my quick test swatch, but I could work the dk portion on smaller needles, which might help. We'll see.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/25/2026

stitches worked: 342

stitches frogged: 0

Only three rows because I'm so exhausted I'm falling asleep with my needles in my hands. I can't push through, too risky. I need to drag myself to bed.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/24/2026

stitches worked: 912

stitches frogged: 0

Eight rows today. I could do two more to match what I did yesterday but I wouldn't finish by midnight (each row takes about 10 to 15 minutes), and for some reason I've made a rule for myself that I have to post these knitting diary posts before midnight my time, which is perhaps something to reflect on. Though, on a work night, not knitting too late is wise (I'm telling myself that ship has not yet sailed).

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/23/2026

stitches cast on: 114

stitches worked: 1,140

stitches frogged: 0

I started on the first third of what will be a pleated skirt. Ten rows: a strong start. I anticipate 60 rows total (plus a waistband worked separately.) I'm not going to hold myself to ten a day, because that seems too lofty (though I wish).

I have to work in thirds because of the length of my dpns; I like dpns enough generally that I'm not fussed about adding a circular needle to my collection at this point. The only issue is more of a slump risk between pieces but slumps can happen in the middle of projects too so maybe it all shakes out over the course.

I was holding my arm wrong, which is unfortunate. I can only partly blame the cat for that, and anyway it's worth it to be chosen as the comfiest place to rest.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/22/2026

stitches cast on: 6

stitches worked: 414

stitches frogged: 0

I finished the second eye. I think I got the stuffing level about right, which is nice. There's still embroidering to attempt, and I'll get to that eventually. Tomorrow maybe I'll start the skirt since I have a plan for that.

I want to circle back to other things I've made and write up patterns, just to prove to myself I can follow through on things. Maybe I'll get there someday.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/21/2026

stitches worked: 240

stitches frogged: 0

I finished the eye, and I think it's better than the previous attempts. I didn't try to do any kind of colorwork for the iris while knitting, so it's basically just a white sphere, but I will attempt iris-embroidery after I make a second. It got messy at the end like the attempts with thinner fiber, but less so; I don't know if it's a "slightly overstuffed" issue or a tension issue. I'm trying to let it go.

I also spent some time figuring for other projects, specifically a pleated skirt (1/3 scale, of course: those that make human-sized wearables of that nature are braver than I). I'm feeling optimistic about how that might go, so that's nice.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/20/2026

stitches cast on: 6

stitches worked: 174

stitches frogged: 0

Back on eyes because I don't have the energy or enthusiasm to figure something else out yet. I'm struggling and am just glad I managed to knit at all today.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/19/2026

stitches worked: 400

stitches frogged: 0

stitches bound off: 45

stitches cast on: 20

It turns out I already had a swatch for crochet thread on 5-0 needles; it had just gotten buried in the box I got hoping it would help keep my stuff more organized. Oh well. It was nice to have something small and simple to do because I'm not sure if I'm up for more right now.

I also did another swatch with crochet thread and my size 2 needles. I previously made a wig cap (and wig) with that setup but have been thinking about making another, so I thought it might be useful. I didn't quite match gauge based on my notes but I'm not worried about it yet. Who knows when I'll get to it.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/18/2026

stitches cast on: 25

stitches worked: 210

stitches frogged: 10

I'm making a swatch of crochet thread on 5-0 needles to see if I think the fabric will behave more like I want for eyeballs (or other things, I suppose). It's harder to work with a bit. Or maybe I'm just tired.

I spent too much time trying to figure out how many stitches I'd need in the eye even though I'm not done with the swatch yet.

I'm having a hard time but I'm trying my best.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/17/2026

stitches worked: 324

stitches frogged: 0

Finished the eye, and it's fine (though again I'm not impressed with myself). I haven't done the embroidery bit yet, but I think I'll make the second one first to have a better chance at a closer match.

My tension got wonky at the end after I stuffed it and worked it closed. That's partly because I'm a bit out of practice with the 5-0 needles and thread (even two strands together) is slightly thinner than would be best for a really firm fabric. Maybe I should swatch the crochet thread for it? But also the back doesn't really matter for how I'm using it. If I were going for a keychain or charm, sure.

I don't know.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/16/2026

stitches cast on: 9

stitches worked: 175

stitches frogged: 4

I almost didn't knit at all today. I felt distracted and off-kilter most of the day and didn't start planning for a bigger project. It's more than I'm up for.

So instead I'm back to eyes again, and hopefully going to make a good pair this time. No skimping on stuffing or trying to skip rounds at the end. And I'm going for a mostly-embroidered iris, so we'll see how that goes. After a stumble on the first cast on attempt I'm making decent progress, and almost done with the increases.

I'm not really convinced that this will be better than making them out of clay and resin (both of which I have), but that project seems harder to get right after so many flops. So here I am instead.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/15/2026

stitches worked: 360

stitches frogged: 0

stitches bound off: 60

I finished the leg warmer and I feel a bit disappointed. I guess maybe I don't have a clear enough vision of what I want and what's possible. I mean, it's not terrible, but I don't know if I want to spend two weeks on another if I'm this underwhelmed.

Here it is on. I think it gives cozy but doesn't have enough shape (understandable because it is essentially just a knit tube). Working at scale for an inanimate object makes it tricky. Maybe I don't know enough about style to figure out how to make it work as part of an outfit.

Next might be a skirt of some kind, but I haven't started any figuring for it yet.

In good news, I found the (sewing) needle I dropped when weaving in ends before it stabbed me or my cat.

[knitmisc]

knitting diary 02/14/2026

stitches worked: 1,041

stitches frogged: 1

I managed a fair bit of knitting today! Only ribbing left to finish off this leg warmer: with no more cables and a decrease round, it will probably go fast. I'm pretty confident that I can finish tomorrow, barring calamity.