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What a day! I moved into a new house in January, that was newly built, and its an ongoing saga with the builders to say the least. But its my knitting that brought me to tears. I had to rip, well I couldn’t actually bring myself to do it, I had to start over on the entire front piece of my Karabella Round Neck Sweater. The mistakes that I saw were too great and the ones that I didn’t see until later where to far down the page so to speak. I cried.
I put the large finished section aside and cast on from a new ball and tried my best to pay attention. Pay attention. Pay attention. I think I finally have found a way to Pay Attention. I have rewritten the pattern into shorter sequences and it was even suggested to me I write each sequence on an index card and “flip & clip” them as I go. That may be a bit much, I think if I rewrite what I’ve already rewritten into even shorter sequences I may be okay. But what a really need to do is Pay Attention. Pay Attention. Pay Attention.
Sorry I can’t bring myself to photograph it. It hurts. But the good news is I just got the last bit of Schaefer Anne in and its this really sweet, nearly solid pink color, Pinkie. And I’ve added Cherry Tree Hill’s Baby Sachet to my yarn offerings. This is good news that cheers me up somewhat and I do need to be cheered up!
I’ve come to the conclusion: knitting is a lot like dancing. I studied classical ballet all through grade school and into high school. I struggled to learn the steps to each floor and bar routine and to become strong enough to dance on my toes in toe shoes! That was a big right of passage. The fun part was every 3 years my studio held a recital and we danced on a real stage in flamboyant costumes (which were always recycled as Halloween costumes) and of course updos and overly done stage makeup so the audience could see us. I learned some French along the way too, jete=jump, demi plie=bend, grand plie=big bend!
Every major muscle group in the body was put to the test during each class. I thought I’d always be in this good of shape! Ha! I very rarely dance these days. Even the partying I did during my 20s in night clubs is long over. And I haven’t been to a wedding reception in a long time! How sad am I? Well actually a few months ago I did take some belly dancing lessons. And DH and I did take a some ball room lessons a few years ago, only to learn we weren’t necessary the most coordinated partners on the floor. And my dog can stand on her hind legs and dance, she can turn in a complete circle, so we dance with her and call her Disco Doggy! So I still enjoy cutting a rug now and than.
As I knit my ballet lessons come back to me. But now its all fine motor instead of gross and the cramps I get in the palm of my hands feel just as bad as the shin splints and calf cramps I used to nurse. An entire pattern is a dance routine with each individual stitch a step. Sequencing and even timing have the same importance. And knitting is also a new language, P2, K2TOG, YO, like French. How funny. And of course I struggle to learn new stitches and entire patterns, nothing has changed. Practice makes perfect. I’ve passed an important knitting right of passage early on, I can knit a decent looking pair of socks! Now I just have to work on my hair, makeup and some special knitting outfits.
My next all important knitting project will be a little, hopefully round, throw rug. My downstairs powder room is done in a Mexican motif with Talavera Tiles. The most important decision is whether to change the plain white pedestal sink into a Talavera Sink with a new vanity or let it stay incase we redecorate later…Decisions, decisions. In the mean time I am scouring Austin looking for a little round rug in dark, navy blues, oranges, yellows and reds in a Talavera pattern. Impossible. So I’ve decided to knit one, and possibly felt it. If anyone out there has any round rug patterns please send them my way. In the meantime I’ve found this cute Idea, I know its not round but its easy, on Knitting Pattern Central, a must have free pattern resource for knitters and crocheters everywhere! And I found this Guy too!
BTW: I was able to save the front of my Round Neck Sweater and I’ve got about 4″ done!
Allow me to introduce myself. My third entry I thought I’d better tell you who the heck I was. I run http://www.sandrasingh.com/ an online knitting and fiber arts resource in the rolling hill country of Spicewood, TX, just outside Austin city limits. I recently started this Blog to detail my adventures in knitting and to keep myself honest in honoring my New Year’s resolution.
Like lots of knitters my mom taught me to knit when I was in grade school, 2nd, 3rd grade? I asked her what year but she couldn’t remember either! I started with a super long scarf which resembled Dr. Who’s scarf, though not inspired by. Not taking heed of any of the fashion trends of the day or giving thought to coordinating colors I knit with passion all the yarns I could find in the house. There was a dark rust, a variegated purple, a variegated green and to top it all off a bright pink! I loved it, and so did our little dog Sugar, when she developed a cough I tied it around and around her neck to keep her warm.
My adventures in knitting at this age were short lived. I eventually took up painting, watercolors mainly than I moved on to jewelry making. Now years later I’m back to knitting. And this time around I’m paying serious attention to fashion and colors!
Here’s the view out of my Showroom Window–can you see the 3 deer?
Like many knitters I too decided that the new year would bring life back to my knitting needles. And I have to say I’ve been pretty true to my word, my resolution(s) stopped with just this one so it was fairly easy! Since January I’ve completed one project, the feather and fan Easy Lace Scarf, a free pattern from Knitter’s Review, and a great beginner lace project that even I couldn’t mess up, too much anyway! I knit it in La Lana Wools’ Streakers in Sad Song Pink. I like the way it turned out but perhaps a solid color next time?!
I’m now well into Karabella’s free pattern for the Round Neck Sweater. Knit with their Aurora Bulky yarn. Again a simple lace pattern on the front, which I was doing so well on till last night! I’ve got a lace theme going on and am gearing up for a much bigger project Norah Gaughan’s Bonsai Tunic from the Spring 07 Interweave Knits. Maybe I’ll have the Round Neck done by fall and I can knit the Bonsai Tunic all winter long in time for next spring!
Here’s the back and a wee bit of the front prior to my mess up.
Welcome to my Knitting Blog! This is my First Official Post! Cool. Where to start…I’ll just jump right in with some good news. A huge shipment of Schaefer’s Anne and Lola (which at the time of this post is 25% Off) just arrived the other day. Beautiful new Potluck colors for the taking. I had them dye lots of Khakis in both, all green khaki and a mixture of tan khakis with some green. I think you’re going to like it.
I’ll keep this short since its my first post and go take some pics of this yarn!
