I Survived The Learning Logs

Well, in the on going story/dilemma that has been associated with the Learning Logs Ghan...I can report progress is being made.  I added a log to the right side of the grey log which helped pull that side out a bit.  Then added the log of bright green and rose to smooth out the bottom a bit.  It was getting closer to being the same size all the way around; but not there yet.  The bright green and rose, like the earlier bright green and blue is such a tight pattern it really pulls so...I added the stripes in garter stitch to the right side.  Bingo...finally that side was smooth, didn't curl, and didn't pull.  I also bumped up my needle size by 1 size.  The good old garter stitch gave it the body it needed I think.  And now the bottom...where you see my toes holding down the yellow log.  That's a pretty heavy log which worked to pull out the green and rose strip on that side.....but still some curling.  However, I think once attached to another square and blocked it will work.  But, the left side, next to the solid tan...needed perhaps one more log to help pull out the ends of the yellow and green striped log.

So, one final log was added.  I used the same stitch pattern as the center square as it laid nicely in the beginning.  I did not start or end rows with slip stitch as the pattern called for, in order to avoid the holes created by doing so previously.  My square has 10 logs plus the center square, the pattern called for the center square and 6 logs, and the logs were only on 2 sides.  I think, though it's been quite a trial, I can consider this square DONE!

I will start the 2nd one, making the changes I learned and NOT follow the pattern next time.  I'm hopeful, things will then go much better and I won't be quite so looney!  There are 9 colors, 8 different stitch patterns.  It measures 23 x 23, so I think making a total of 4 squares to join will make a nice size lapghan.  The pattern called for 6 smaller squares.

2015 Donations:

Hats: 118
Scarves:33
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:53
Afghans:2
Socks: 47
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 12
Shawls: 1 
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Learning Logs is Making Looney

 Might need to add to the name of this ghan, Learning Logs, thank you SSeger (Sue), might need to name it Looney Learning Logs........cause I am going a bit looney.  I'm like weirdness of the colors, and variety with each section (log) being different with color and stitches......but.  Can you see how much some of the logs are pulling against the other stitches.  I am officially done with the class I took for this Log Cabin Style Afghan, and I've learned alot.....mostly how to alter the pattern do things differently next time.  Seriously, this Lion Brand Pattern leaves alot to be desired.  Notice the bright green and blue log...pointed out in a previous post....the right side edge is no longer curling thanks to the fun 3 color checkerboard log to it's right......but the progressive creeping up of the bottom edge is really bad.  Next to the center square the bright blue, the grey starts the creeps, followed by even more with the vertical stripes log.

Strange how much brighter the first picture is, think this is a bit more true to color.  Just another view from a different angle.  The next log is suppose to be to the right side of the solid tan; but since that's a nice edge....I'm electing not to add the log there and try to pull out the left side.  The 3 color log at the bottom is very think...would be super warm as a hat.......I think.

Will keep you posted on the progress of my looney demise, or the possible improvement on the creeping of the left side, or..........my throwing in the towel all together with this frustrating pattern.  I like mixing the colors in such odd ways, that's kinda fun, and that was the only part of the lesson that was worthwhile.  However, I think they should tell people to use light weight yarn (which would take longer) and then be prepared to back the ghan.  Much discussion in the group about the back side, the rough seams (resulting from where stitches are picked up to avoid holes because they broke some fairly standard rules of knitting about slip stitches at beginning and endings of rows, purls at beginning and ending of rows vs having a border of garter stitches to keep things flat and even), and perhaps the need to put a backing on it.  Thus my thought about lighter weight yarn.  WW yarn and backing....think it would very heavy?

2015 Donations:
Hats: 101
Scarves:31
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's: 3
Cotton Washcloths:53
Afghans:2
Socks: 47
Fingerless gloves/wrist warmers:
Cowls/Infinity scarves: 11
Shawls: 1 (just realized it wasn't listed, don't think I missed any?)
Misc: personal care items and anything not listed above

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.