It’s not you, it’s me.
Have you ever had a project that you really wanted to go well? You were making it for a special person, you planned it out for ages, bought the necessary materials and started with plenty of time… but then after you have invested many, many hours into it, you realize that you just cannot make it work?
For me, that project has been the stole I have been knitting for my best friend, Julie’s wedding.
I bought this gorgeous yarn, Karabella Aurora 8 (color 705). LOTS of it.
The plan was to knit a large rectangle in stockinette stitch (complete!)
Then pick up stitches around the edge for a beautiful leaf border. Sounds simple, huh?
Aww… isn’t it pretty?
The problem is that I was stupid when I knit the rectangle and I only put about half the yarn ball transitions on the side of the piece… which was driving me nuts because you could see that the fabric got all wonky every 5 inches or so. (anal, I know.)
Like this:
Then I could not figure out how to get the pretty border to turn the corner. My only option was to just knit it straight up and then join the border to itself at each corner… which was not making me happy. AT ALL.
So, after having several good cries and mild panic attacks, I have given up. I am throwing in the towel. The wedding is 24 days away and I am starting over.
I found this pretty scarf patter (Lead or Follow Lace Scarf) from Heartstrings Fiber Arts in the middle of the night last night and assumed that I would have to wait a week… drive to my vet’s office… pay too much… Oh wait, well, you know what I mean. (I have obviously been watching waaaay too much tv while knitting lately.)
Did you know that there are these sites out there that are so efficient! You find a pattern you like, do the paypal thing, and then they send you a link right away where you can download a pdf file of the pattern. It is the awesomest. Especially when you decide to make drastic knitting decisions in the middle of the night.
Also, if you are up at 2 in the morning and can’t remember for the life of you how to slip, slip, purl (ssp), this site kicks ass. They have video! For both continental and regular knitting! It is super!
Here is what she looks like so far… I am doing a seed stitch border, instead of the lace ribbing from the pattern. (Julie wanted a warm, cozy shawl.)
Somehow I don’t feel panicked anymore now that I have made a decision… at least not yet. I am just so happy to be ripping out 10’s of hours of my work! weee!!
See… one last look! (okay, it hurts a little)
Yes, I do know I am a crazy, crazy person. Thanks for listening. 
September 2nd, 2005 at 8:14 am
Awwww, poor thing! You made a tough call, kid, but I think it’s alllll going to work out for ya! LOVE the new pattern, and that Aurora is so yummy…the color looks so warm and autumn-y.
September 2nd, 2005 at 8:28 am
I love that color! It looks like it is going to work out. I hate it when knitting doesn’t turn out like we planned…
I sent you an email .. didja get it?
September 2nd, 2005 at 8:52 am
that yarn is the perfect fall color. It’s better that you ripped it out if you don’t like it. I have too many things that are sitting on a shelf because I’ll never actually use them! Its worth the pain of frogging.
September 2nd, 2005 at 9:50 am
That color is wonderful! Carrie’s so right, it looks like it’ll work out this time. Just take a deep breath and just start to rip. Sometimes it’s really therapeutic. lol.
If you have a ballwinder, just put it on there for a bit of fun ripping time… or just make Casey do it. ::evil grin::
September 2nd, 2005 at 10:13 am
I don’t know how to knit, and that’s probably a really good thing for me. I’m so anal, it would probably drive me nuts.
I like the new pattern, it’s gorgeous. And I agree with your other comments, the color is perfect for fall!
September 2nd, 2005 at 11:44 am
I feel your pain. I just did the same thing with a sock that I had been working on for ages. Normally, socks are not horribly difficult, but for whatever reason I had spent enormous amounts of time on this one stupid sock before deciding I either had to frog the entire thing or stab myself in the eye with my needle.
P.S. The new pattern you chose looks lovely.
September 2nd, 2005 at 2:43 pm
Aww it will work out!
September 2nd, 2005 at 3:01 pm
Geeez…what a bummer…you need to get some of HE Jenny’s pep and get to work!
September 6th, 2005 at 4:34 am
Sounds like you have been busy. That’s a bummer about the endless stockinette, but it sounds like you have it under control now and are probably ticking right along! Can’t wait to see your progress.