Greetings Dear Unravelers,
As you can see, there has been quite a bit of unraveling this week. The more I knit on the Waffle Pullover, the less excited I was to actually wear the Waffle Pullover. I had tried it on numerous times during the reworking of the raglan increases… and I should have listened to the voice telling me the neck ribbing was not working. I kept telling myself it would be fine… it would block out… no problem. But that niggling voice would not quit so I did just that… soaked the in process sweater and blocked it. I am here to tell you… not everything blocks out. I spent a couple of days contemplating the best way to remove the neck ribbing once the sweater was done and reworking it. I thought of a couple of ways it might work but really… sometimes a project just does not work out. This was that project for me so I spent an evening slowly unraveling the sweater. Once I was done, it felt so good. I made the right decision. For now the reclaimed yarn is “resting” as I contemplate what it wants to become…
Instead, I picked up the yarn for Mercedes, cast on and followed the very clear directions… I learned two new-to-me increases… and in short order had worked my way through all that… I then learned a new underarm I-cord cast on with no gaps and have begun making my way down the back of the vest. My next “new thing” will be the Cocoknits methods for binding off and then picking up at the shoulder to begin the front of the vest. I am so glad that I went ahead and ordered the Wooldreamers Cautiva. It is really a lovely yarn… woolen spun that feels deceivingly toothy but it is not at all scratchy. I am very eager to get this in the fall rotation… I am happy it is moving quickly towards completion!
Though I tried and tried to get an accurate image of the delicious color of this yarn… It is really darker than it looks here…but I am loving this construction!
My reading this week has been so good even though I did not have much reading time in the last week. My turn arrived to listen to Jesmyn Ward read her collection of short stories, On Witness and Respair. This collection of short stories really cements Ward as a brilliant writer. These short stories are powerful… she talks about living through Katrina. It blew me away. She talks about Treyvon Martin… and blew me away again. But really, her short stories are really an invitation to the reader to sit with her as she shares her perspective… and they are powerful. I highly recommend this brilliant little book… and do yourself a favor… listen to Ms. Ward read it to you!
What about you? What does your early September making look like?
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I was afraid that was your unraveled Waffle pullover when I saw the balls of yarn, but it sounds like it was the right thing to do. But I am glad to see the beginning of Mercedes! I’ve admired it for a while and it will be nice to see yours come to fruition! I was glad to learn a simple new stitch, but you are learning lots of new and useful things! Thanks for the Jesmyn Ward recommendation. I will be placing it on hold as soon as I’m done here. A good week despite the unraveling!
I had a feeling when I saw photos of the yarn that the Waffle pullover was no more. It’s sad to unravel a project that big, but it’s the right thing to do when the finished garment isn’t going to work — especially when it’s knit with nice yarn that could be used for something else! I’m sure you’ll find a better, more worthy pattern eventually, but in the meantime your new cast-on is looking marvelous! I wish I could pet the yarn you’re using because it looks lovely. And thank you for the Jesmyn Ward recommendation. Just put the audio on hold!
What a shame that your knitting didn’t work out, but well done on the difficult decision to unravel it, the yarn was too nice not to be able to wear what you made. Hoping the current project continues to go to plan.
Y’know . . . not every project works out. And you are very wise to cut your losses by unraveling that sucker NOW . . . before going a stitch further! (When we start talking to ourselves about “reworking” or “blocking it out” it’s usually a warning sign that is best heeded. So good on you!) Just think of the lovely . . . something . . . you’ll be able to make with the newly-liberated yarn! And your new vest looks wonderful, Kat! XO
Some projects are just not meant to be and now you have the beautiful yarn with new possibilities. The vest looks like it is fun to work on and will also be nice to wear. You just might have sold me on Ward’s short stories. I’m always on the look out for a good audiobook.
I have frogged an entire sweater (or two) before — even after sewing up! No regrets. It doesn’t sound like you will, either. Carry on! Mercedes looks like an interesting design — pretty yarn.
I’m sorry you ripped out your sweater but you have to listen to the inner voice, it is never ever wrong! I love the color you are working with currently, my color and perfect for fall which is just around the corner.
Oh ugh, I’m so sorry! But it sounds like you made the right decision.