December 02, 2005
Knitting and ripping...knitting and ripping...
I don't know what happened Wednesday night, but I think that it was partly being too tired and also watching an intense and involved TV show. (yes, I was knitting while watching Lost, big mistake!) Here is a picture of what my Charlotte looked like. Yes, I did say looked like. I was almost ready to completely switch over to color 2.
It doesn't look like much...but I was moving right along...feeling good...feeling confident. Oh wait, my numbers aren't matching up...Ahhh! Confusion set in. I'm looking at the pattern, looking at the knitting and I can't quite figure out where I went wrong. In an effort to avoid starting over completely I tink back a few rows. Nope. That didn't solve it. So guess what I did then?! Yep! I yanked the needles out and frogged back to where I switched to Color 2 in the first place. (click here for a closeup) I don't know what it is about pulling a whole project off the needles, but I think that it's one of the scariest things you can do! I did recover from the initial fright and I picked up all the stitches and got back on track with a little moral support from my roommate...yes, my cat knows when to stay off the lap and let me attend to my knitting!
He's laying there protecting his new favorite toy "grub" that my secret pal sent me, I mean him. It's a Nylabone "Cheeky Squeaky" and he loves it! In fact, this is what happened when I tried to put my hand on it! Note to self, don't attempt to take this toy away from him anytime soon. As far as what I did wrong on my Charlotte in the first place...I'm not sure. I know that I need to pay closer attention. Alot of people have told me to use stitchmarkers, but I've tried and they seem to just get in the way. I'm not really clear on where to put them in the first place. I understand the one in the center, that's fairly easy, but the lace patterns are hard for me to see. Does that make sense? Does anyone have any words of advice regarding using the stitchmarkers versus not. Or any advice on where they should be placed exactly. I'm sure that this is really simple and that I'll feel like any idiot later when I realize what was right in front of my face, but help please!!
This morning before work I was able to knit a little and I am now back to the point that I was before I ripped out. I should have some good knitting time this weekend! I'm going to be eating, I mean baking, cookies tomorrow with my Grandma and my sister over at my grandma's house and I'll get in a few rows between batches! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
**I just found out this morning who my secret pal has been...and it was Laura, of the blog Penelope Porkchop! Thanks so much Laura for throughly spoiling Jesse and I over the last three months! I have loved every minute of it!**
Posted by Stacey at December 2, 2005 12:09 PMI'm glad you and Jesse liked the goodies. He does look awfully protective. One of my pugs loves her grub too!
Posted by: Lauraa at December 2, 2005 06:49 PMHey There,
Have you tried using yarn stitch markers? I know you've got lots of beautiful markers, but if they're annoying you and your knitting needs markers, have a little chat with your beautiful stitch markers and explain to them that you still love them, but that you need to use some plain yarn ones to do this job for you :)
Jesse cat sure looks fierce about his toy :) Guess Boys with Toys can be mean hahahaha.
Have a good one, Knitting
Posted by: Knitting For Stacey at December 3, 2005 02:20 AMDon't give up Lolly! This is a good excuse to go to LYS for some plain stitch markers. I like the kind that are plastic in the ugly shades of pastel orange and green and they open like a safety pin. They can be moved without getting to that spot in the knitting. I think you have to find what works for you with the markers. I like to place one on either end if knitting a border and then after a pattern repeat. In this case it looks like you are increasing, so right before or after the increase stitch might be a good choice. Unfortunately, I haven't done Charlotte's Web yet. Although your yarn selections are mighty inspiring for me to get started, I will have to wait til after Christmas. I now have 5 projects due, some before Christmas to allow for shipping time! Good luck to you! Keep at it!
Posted by: knitteriam at December 3, 2005 02:34 AMI could never knit lace and watch Lost at the same time--you are brave for attempting it :) Don't give up; I can't wait to see your progress!!
Posted by: Kim at December 3, 2005 08:11 AMARgh...Feel your frustration. I am working, ok was working, on a shawl for a friend for Christmas. I got about 3/4 of the way through and I think I dropped a stitch at the begining. Being the novice knitter, I have no idea what I did or how to fix it. So I just started a new shawl. Good luck with yours, it looks beautiful. I don't know if it is a positive thing or negative that someone who is so good at knitting made a mistake and had to go back. It's positive because it shows that we ALL make mistakes, but negative because it makes knitting seem intimidating. Good luck!
Posted by: Becky at December 3, 2005 03:40 PMI completely gave up on Charlotte's way early on in the game. I know my limits!!! It doesn't help to have a 3 & 6 year old running around while trying to count.....
Posted by: Scout at December 3, 2005 06:27 PMso... are you going to read the pattern to me out loud, stitch by stitch, for charlotte's web? it was fun hanging out last night and today... have fun tomorrow.
Posted by: cyn at December 4, 2005 02:06 AMOh, lace knitting and TV watching at the same time -- you are brave!
Thanks for the comment on my new pattern, too!
Posted by: Brynne at December 6, 2005 06:25 AMOh man. I could never tackle that project. Props to you.
Posted by: Bookish Wendy at December 6, 2005 08:07 AMI have Charlotte hints on my blog - left column. I'm with everyone else - it was a bear until I used the stitch markers.
Li