April 15, 2005
A Series of Unfortunate Knits
~manos, why aren't you cooperating?~
It all started with the
shark attack on my clapotis and went downhill from there. I have done a bit of unraveling, but have yet to knit up those unfortunate stitches.
~lara girl, behave why dontcha~
I've been knitting on "Lara girrrrl , you too small". Remember her. It was quite funny to be knitting one sleeve to another and I'm feeling that its on the big side. I'm on gauge but something doesn't feel right. And without schematics, I'm just a bit lost. Maaaaan, If I have to knit this again...but have I stopped knitting yet...NO. And you guessed it, I now have a new name for it. It's now "Lara girrrrl, you too big". Not a fan of those baggy sleeves that I know are gonna grow even bigger with wear and wash. And that collar goes up to my ear (did you catch that?). It appears that Lara is Audrey's cousin. That family has something against me. So now I'm working on "Lara, you betta fit" or at least that's my hope.
Then we have this GGH Kid Soft number. Any guesses what this was going to be? No guesses from you Ei (cause you know what it is). Isn't her new layout just beautiful. Thanks for encouraging me to knit this sweater. Now if I just can just get my act together. It was supposed to be a wrap cardi, but somehow ribbing started to emerge from the ball of yarn. But look. Another supposed to be "easy knit...will travel" did not hold up well while I yapped it up with friends. I must be more careful about choosing an appropriate "mindless knitting" for the road. Mine have required more thinking than anticipated. You (or shall I say I) can't be lookin' off from this mohair before it takes off on it on (if only it would take off knitting itself up and not dropping down) But I finally got a rhythm going and finished the back, but wait. This is about unfortunate knits right. So here the unfortunate thing. When changing from the smaller ribbing needles I picked up among the many addis floating in my bag the wrong sized addis, UGH. So now that darn thing is way to small. And I thought it looked pretty good, but it doesn't! It's just pretty small! With the many sizes of addis floating in my bag, I have decided to put a bit of the yarn on each of the corresponding needles, so when I pick it up from stitch holders or whatever I can identify the proper needles easily. For some reason I thought it would be fairly easy to rip. How easily we forget. So once again, I used Anita's tips for ripping mohair for those problem sections and it is coming together for me now. That remote has been quite handy.
~ggh soft kid making a come back~
Sometimes, I just don't know when to quit. I try to make a habit of putting knits down when they are working against me at the moment or when we just aren't vibing. But I gotta remember not to pick up something else and just start battling with that as well. Some days I just gotta "Step away from the knitting" and that would be all knitting and just take a break. I need to pick up another hobby. Hmm...I'm not reading as much as I'd like too. I'll have to pick up a good book.
Posted by froggy at April 15, 2005 08:06 PM
Wow. That's a lot of unfortunate events! You seem to be taking it all in stride though... weaker knitters would crumble under the pressure! haha. I hope you work it all out. I'm sure you will. ^_^
Love the yarn holder. You don't change channels much whilst knitting do you? As for getting a good book, I have found that the solution to the whole mess is to subscribe to Audible.com and get books on CD. That way you don't need the remote and the book being read to you calms you right down as you knit away. Multi-tasking can be fun!
On the off chance you're really looking for a book, get The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. Seriously. All of the knits *look* wonderful. I'm sorry they've had such unfortunate events. I think Lara is going to fit and look great. Don't give up!
I have had my difficulties with Lara too, but finally it succeeded. Yes. However I'm not completely happy with my sleeves- they are a tiny bit to small. Still I'm settle with it- it is as good as it gets:-)
Hope these knits start behaving themselves soon. Or start something new, something that is the love of the moment. By the way, love the green clapotis.
Wow, mistakes and all you still knit beautifully. That is my very favorite shade of green!!!!!!!!
I'm currently having issues with yarn not bending to my will, so I feel your pain!
A good book now and then can definitely revitalise your knitting skills. I just finished two books I really enjoyed "Time Travellor's WIfe" and "To say nothing of the dog".
Poor you... I really feel your pain! How unfortunate to have such misfortune with your projects. I agree, sometimes we just have to step away and gain some perspective before plodding along.
Ripping mohair ... tricky indeed. I completely agree with Anita ... one stitch at a time is the one and only way to do it right. When necessary, you may even have to caress the tightened fibers to loosen them so that they allow you to do what to want to do ... brute force is not the way with the seeminly fragile but strong-willed mohair!!!!
I suggest a spindle and some fiber. Honestly, its extremely hard to screw up.
ooh, boy...can I relate to *that* post!
Another hobby? WHEN would you have time??? I hear ya on the "step away" bit, we all go through it. Here's to a much better week!
Oh well you have full with very nice incur cheer, that of work wow
A guess on the GGH Soft Kid Project - are you making the "sweater with wide collar" from the latest rebecca??
Well, you really are having one of those weeks aren't you?! Next week will be much better, I'm sure. I'd cast on for something completely different if I was you..... ;)
comforting to see such springy green yarn first thing when your blog comes up - now i feel like i've got company.
waow that's an infortunate series but things can only get better now! I am sure by the end of the week all those knittings will be fine!
Time to pick up something very simple and get back to the process...I don't practice what I preach so I'm trying to get back on track, too.
Even so, you are a fantastic knitter! Your clapotis photos made me want to try and knit it for myself! I am amazed at the number of finished objects you produce!
Positively diabolical. A shark bite, a possibly too big and a definitely too small all in one post...oh, the humanity. Time to clear your head with some bunnies!
Oh, froggy! What is going on over there?! I have had a similar several weeks until this weekend when (fingers crossed) things are finally coming together. I will think good thoughts your way!
Oh Froggy! I hope the week will get better for you... Poor Clappy, don't give up on it because it's a beautiful knit in a beautiful color! And whip that Lara into shape, I know you can!
Now I'm even more worried about the lack of schematics for Lara! I like to know exactly where it's going myself. But I have faith in you! I know you'll get back on track with Claoptis too and be sailing along soon - then just stay away from that shark infested frog pond!
Knitting really sucks sometimes when things don't turn out as planed. It will get better!
Did you ever get my message about my Mom's Lara? All I know...row count is very important.
Thanks for the compliment on my new site! ;-)
What about gardening?
Oh dear.. i guess the Yarn Goddess must be PMS-ing. I thought I had a bad week with knitting (two failed sweaters) and the goddess overlooked me because I was sitting right under her armpit.... turned out I'm not the only one. But on the upside, your knits are still gorgeous, and you're still an awesome knitter. Her royal highness, the yarn goddess, will hopefully recover from her bad mood and re-shower her good graces on all of us.
hello,
i discover your wonderfull knitting blog , me i'm a french begginer knitter but i love to see your work!!!i surprise that all the project you beggin and finish!!
keep doing the good work it's wonderfull!!
bye bye
marie
Don't give up, maybe you should go for some lace to spice things up a bit :D)
Truly a series of unfortunate events! I hope you've had a strong talk with your knitting and it will behave from now on!
Man, I hear you. I have those days. I do step away from the knitting and take a breather. There's nothing like battling with several knits to make you feel like you don't want to be knitting at all!
I think you are doing great. YOu do beautiful work. I admire your patience in redoing stuff... I quit when that happens pretty much...
Love that mossy green yarn too... Great color!
I know exactly what you mean about "stepping away from the knitting." But sometimes you just want to K-N-I-T! Good luck with Lara - I love your color choice! Soft Kid is fab as well- so soft, but somewhat rippable due to the nylon.
OH, I know that Lara has been plaguing you since we met back in February! That color is so pretty, even if the yarn is bad :P Good luck with that.
I can't wait till I can start reading more too... I really miss it! Once this school semester is over... :)
Talk to you soon, Miss Froggy
The Manos is not cooperating because it is like a supermodel, fluffy and gorgeous--it was not hired for its brains or abilities, it was hired for its yummy green looks. It is saying "I'm too sexy for your Clapotis" You have much more patience than I!
I love that colour of Manos, what shade is it?
Courage Froggy, it'll get better.
Happy knits anyway
Alice
