Share
over again
I am not good at doing things over.
I don’t enjoy the process of revisiting projects, particularly when they didn’t work out on the first try. And yet, I’m a grown up. If the design is worth it, I’ll put myself through any number of attempts at ripping and reknitting.
Like this blue sweater. The first version has about 2 full balls of Galway knit, with a complete yoke and even a bit of the torso. But like I mentioned before, the neckline was too small, too uncomfortable, and although I could finish it, I’d never be happy.
So here I am, knitting back over the same steps all over again. And it feels so slow.
One consolation is that the neckline is quite a bit wider. I’m almost going for a scoop effect, I think. That means I’ll be ready to split for the sleeves a bit sooner, knowing the edge treatment will actually become part of the yoke too.
And yet, here I am, only 4 measly inches into the project, with a whopping 32 more rows to go before I’ve increased enough.
The cables are gorgeous, though. And even now, I’ll grudgingly admit the design is totally worth any effort I’m putting in.
This particular cable looks a bit like alien ribs to me. The way the 3 stitch sections cross over, 3 at a time, actually creates a bit of a texture to the stockinette portion behind the twists. I fell in love when I saw a similar version in a stitch dictionary last year, and I’m still in love.
I just wish it would knit up a little faster.
Or that I could move on to the new part! The body! The sleeves! ANYTHING!
Sandra doesn’t share my issue with re-knitting. When she enjoys a pattern, she’s likely to knit it several times through. Case in point, her current obsession; this new Mod Quad Sock in Silk Garden Sock. She’s been hoarding this yarn to knit the pattern in, because it’ll match a Rosedale United I knit for her a few years ago.
It’s interesting how the colors are working out. #84 is a weird one – so tonal rather than full of contrast. In the sweater, the bands of red and pink and orange are actually pretty subtle, punctuated by the occasional lime green or black. In the sock, the squares work the same way. Red, red, red-pink, pink-orange… GREEN. It’s like a knitted version of duck-duck-goose.
Anyhow, I’m grateful that she’s got the interest to do another round of this fun pattern. I’ve knit it once myself, in Colinette Jitterbug. It’s nice seeing the same pattern 3 different ways; bright contrast colors, subtle shifting colors, and semi-solid handpainted squares where texture becomes the priority.
It’ll be fun to see the first few knitters finish up their Mod Quad projects over on Ravelry. I love that part of designing; seeing other folks actually knit what I came up with is such a thrill. And no, I’m not over that yet.
Check them out (Ravelry link)>
Subscribe to my blog by email >
August 10th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Seriously contemplating those Mod Quad Socks, with one preliminary question: Can I do them on 2 circulars, or will that cause my brain to explode?
August 10th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I admire your patience. I am way too fond of moving on to new projects. If I leave something lingering for too long, there is no way I’ll be able to get myself to go back and work on it again. Good luck on your sweater! The blue color is gorgeous!
August 10th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
I agree with the alien ribs! I haven’t learned the patience to knit a pattern multiple times. I still avoid gloves after the holiday season in which I knit 5 pairs for people.