Three days of resisting the urge to cast on for a new project
and counting.
I know I put that Lopi Cardi first on the list of WIPs to finish. I had every intention of knitting only that cardi and gift knitting until that cardi was done. I would still very much like to do exactly that. Thing is, the knitting gremlins got in the way. (Pesky critters. I never should have let that gremlin extermination contract expire but it was so expensive and I worried about how the chemicals would affect the dogs, as they are, after all, part gremlin.)
The knitting gremlins mucked about with the fair isle chart for this sweater. For starters, the color codes were reversed, and me being fantastically observant, I knit almost the entire fair isle chart for the back piece before noticing that the colors were the reverse of the pattern photo. I also knit almost the entire back noticing that the motif looked all screwy but hoping it would “come together” in the end. Yeah. Ripped out four hours of knitting there. Twice, because sometimes I’m slow to take a hint. Yep. (And as you know, I have so much free time to be knitting for four hour stretches. See, I stayed up till three in the morning knitting after a full day of work… and then frogged it all… )
After the first time I assumed I’d read the chart wrong, so I tried again, very carefully and very slowly. And no, the motif still came out garbled. Either the chart is wrong, or the instructions as to how to incorporate the raglan decreases into the chart are wrong, or I’m insane. And yes, it’s quite possibly a combination of any two of the three options. (Perhaps knitting at three a.m. contributed to this, but dammit I still think it’s the pattern that’s off.)
Has anyone out there successfully knit this cardi? Is it just me or is the pattern screwed up? I’m willing to accept that it’s just me if someone else has managed to make this sweater. I can’t find errata for this pattern online anywhere. At the very least, I know they screwed up the color coding. Sigh.
So I reluctantly put that cardi aside and picked up the corset pullover. So far so good on this one, except that I have to keep fighting back the urge to eat the Calmer.
The first third of the novel is now in second draft, and revisions are moving along nicely on the second third. I can see the book as a whole much more clearly now than I could while I was writing first draft. Yesterday was one of those wonderful, rare days when I read through the manuscript as I was revising and thought, “You know what? I’m really good at this.” I’m trying to remember that it’s okay to actually think I’m rather good at the thing I’ve chosen to do with my life. What funny creatures we humans are. My book is good and it’s okay to be proud of that. Funny, funny girl I am that I’m a bit embarrassed to say that out loud to you.
Oh! And it’s Michelle’s birthday! Go wish her a happy one!
And it’s Ernesto’s birthday! Go buy one of his books!
Congratulations on recognizing talent and skill in your work. One of these days I may be able to join you in that realm.
The corset cardi looks like it’s coming along nicely, might as well work on something that doesn’t frustrate you, right?
I haven’t met Calmer yet, so I can’t weigh in on the yarn-eating urge.
Posted by: Faith
Corset looks great. I haven’t tried Calmer either, but everyone seems to be in love with it. Sounds like a good excuse for a trial skein or two to me 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
ooooh….calmer corset pullover…
**drools all over desk**
I say you stick with that one for now. Fair isle can wait, ’tis clearly not the time for it.
Posted by: melanie
I’ve never read your fiction, but I thought your writing was wonderful the first time i had the good fortune to stumble across your blog. you have a gift (many gifts, actually) and it’s our dumb luck that you’re willing to share them with the rest of us. I am SO looking forward to your reading! and of course, to actually reading your novel one day soon. xxx
Posted by: regina
I knew there was a reason I love you – this whole post could be from my head too. Please don’t eat the calmer – drool makes knitting that much harder, and the fluff will stick in your throat.
Posted by: Alison
“You know what? I’m really good at this.” Hold that thought.
Posted by: Iris
Hey, I’m making that Corset Pullover too! I’ve finished both arms and am a couple inches into the front. Isn’t it just a lovely pattern? I’ve put it aside reluctantly for a week or two to finish up a birthday sweater for my brother, but I am really looking forward to getting it done. Love it in Calmer.
Posted by: Emily
I *loved* hearing you say that about your work. Know what? You’re right.
Posted by: Rachael
Congratulations on recognizing talent and skill in your work. One of these days I may be able to join you in that realm.
The corset cardi looks like it’s coming along nicely, might as well work on something that doesn’t frustrate you, right?
I haven’t met Calmer yet, so I can’t weigh in on the yarn-eating urge.
Posted by: Faith
Corset looks great. I haven’t tried Calmer either, but everyone seems to be in love with it. Sounds like a good excuse for a trial skein or two to me 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
ooooh….calmer corset pullover…
**drools all over desk**
I say you stick with that one for now. Fair isle can wait, ’tis clearly not the time for it.
Posted by: melanie
I’ve never read your fiction, but I thought your writing was wonderful the first time i had the good fortune to stumble across your blog. you have a gift (many gifts, actually) and it’s our dumb luck that you’re willing to share them with the rest of us. I am SO looking forward to your reading! and of course, to actually reading your novel one day soon. xxx
Posted by: regina
I knew there was a reason I love you – this whole post could be from my head too. Please don’t eat the calmer – drool makes knitting that much harder, and the fluff will stick in your throat.
Posted by: Alison
“You know what? I’m really good at this.” Hold that thought.
Posted by: Iris
Hey, I’m making that Corset Pullover too! I’ve finished both arms and am a couple inches into the front. Isn’t it just a lovely pattern? I’ve put it aside reluctantly for a week or two to finish up a birthday sweater for my brother, but I am really looking forward to getting it done. Love it in Calmer.
Posted by: Emily
I *loved* hearing you say that about your work. Know what? You’re right.
Posted by: Rachael
i’m very excited to hear calmer is working for that pattern. i LURVE that pattern and have wanted it forever. altho of course like all patterns i love i cannot picture myself ever wearing it so probably not something to put very high on the list.
sounds like things are going swimmingly with the novel right now. that’s awesome. now REMEMBER HOW THIS FEELS for the times when it’s more of a struggle and you need something to hold on to!! 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
Whatever happened to that self-confidence that we had as children? Remember when you were a kid and you could confidently say that you were the fastest runner on the block or that you had the best penmanship in your class or that you could blow a bigger bubble with a single piece of Bazooka Joe than your siblings? It’s still okay to say that you are good at something… we’ve just forgotten how to be confident about it (what’s this whole humility thing about anyway????). I can’t wait to read your book. You ARE a great writer, darn it, if your blog is any indication! Now quick, scale that tree faster and higher than the other kids!
Posted by: Stephanie VW
The corset pullover is a really cool pattern. I can’t wait to see how it comes out in the end. I’m soo jealous of your calmer. I want to get a bunch but I am trying to be good 🙂
Posted by: Alana
I have drooled over the corset many times in my copy of the mag. I recently tried a swatch with Cash Iroha, but didn’t care for it. I ordered my first indulgence of Calmer for the pattern Soul and just know that I will dropkick the project I’m on when that comes in! Can’t wait to feel it through my fingers! But now you’ve got me thinking of adding a few more balls to make the corset out of it. Humm…..(oh the color is the new Sour – limey green – Chicknits would be proud!) Will check back often to see your progress 🙂
Posted by: Stephanie
I thought you might be interested in this tidbit from today’s Mpls paper about the Hold Steady at SXSW:
Having also seen the Hold Steady’s official nighttime showcase — where Craig Finn hilariously commented, “[Edina] is where all the heavy [stuff] goes down in Minneapolis” — I skipped the band’s afternoon appearance before the pseudo-New York Dolls and Bloc Party at the Spin magazine party at Stubb’s BBQ. Bad choice. I heard from First Ave’s Nate Kranz that Tad Kubler’s guitar should forever come through an amp stack the size of the Stubb’s p.a.
Posted by: Renee
You’re an inspiration.
And I’m inspired to start my corset pullover, too. Keep up the great writing and knitting!
Posted by: Frith
Can’t wait to see the finished corset… been wanting to make that one! 🙂
Posted by: Angela
i’m very excited to hear calmer is working for that pattern. i LURVE that pattern and have wanted it forever. altho of course like all patterns i love i cannot picture myself ever wearing it so probably not something to put very high on the list.
sounds like things are going swimmingly with the novel right now. that’s awesome. now REMEMBER HOW THIS FEELS for the times when it’s more of a struggle and you need something to hold on to!! 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
Whatever happened to that self-confidence that we had as children? Remember when you were a kid and you could confidently say that you were the fastest runner on the block or that you had the best penmanship in your class or that you could blow a bigger bubble with a single piece of Bazooka Joe than your siblings? It’s still okay to say that you are good at something… we’ve just forgotten how to be confident about it (what’s this whole humility thing about anyway????). I can’t wait to read your book. You ARE a great writer, darn it, if your blog is any indication! Now quick, scale that tree faster and higher than the other kids!
Posted by: Stephanie VW
The corset pullover is a really cool pattern. I can’t wait to see how it comes out in the end. I’m soo jealous of your calmer. I want to get a bunch but I am trying to be good 🙂
Posted by: Alana
I have drooled over the corset many times in my copy of the mag. I recently tried a swatch with Cash Iroha, but didn’t care for it. I ordered my first indulgence of Calmer for the pattern Soul and just know that I will dropkick the project I’m on when that comes in! Can’t wait to feel it through my fingers! But now you’ve got me thinking of adding a few more balls to make the corset out of it. Humm…..(oh the color is the new Sour – limey green – Chicknits would be proud!) Will check back often to see your progress 🙂
Posted by: Stephanie
I thought you might be interested in this tidbit from today’s Mpls paper about the Hold Steady at SXSW:
Having also seen the Hold Steady’s official nighttime showcase — where Craig Finn hilariously commented, “[Edina] is where all the heavy [stuff] goes down in Minneapolis” — I skipped the band’s afternoon appearance before the pseudo-New York Dolls and Bloc Party at the Spin magazine party at Stubb’s BBQ. Bad choice. I heard from First Ave’s Nate Kranz that Tad Kubler’s guitar should forever come through an amp stack the size of the Stubb’s p.a.
Posted by: Renee
You’re an inspiration.
And I’m inspired to start my corset pullover, too. Keep up the great writing and knitting!
Posted by: Frith
Can’t wait to see the finished corset… been wanting to make that one! 🙂
Posted by: Angela