So, first off, I wanted to thank everybody who’s left me lovely comments about my Ursa. I’m still working on getting back to everybody. I also wanted to thank Mary-Catharine and Karin who both gave me awards on their blogs!
And now, down to business. Unforunately, every project can’t be a resounding success, and as noted on one of my favourite podcasts a number of months ago, it’s important to also acknowledge our failures. So, my most recent failure, with definitely fits into the “disaster!” category.
So, remember this? Yes, that’s the sweater I was supposed to knit in November for NaKniSweMo. I abandonned it for a couple of months, but I picked it back up in January. After a few starts and stops (I always put off casting on a new pieces because of the time-consuming tubular cast-on), I have all pieces knit. I started the seaming by joining the shoulders and setting in one of the sleeve caps. So far, so good. The sleeve cap fit perfectly, and the stripes matched up nicely, as you can see in the following image.
But hang on. Everything is not right in the photo! Yes, once I started seaming up the side seam, I realized something had gone wrong with my math. The sleeve is much too baggy, and there’s a lot of extra fabric under the arm. I know I won’t be able to wear it this way; I envisioned this cardigan as a fitted piece and I know this will annoy me every time I wear it. On the other hand, trying to redo it at this point would mean ripping the time-consuming seams and most of the small-gauge fabric. I’d have to reknit most of the sleeves, and would probably want to redo the shaping on the body too since the extra fabric isn’t confined to the sleeve itself. After spending so much time and energy on this knit, that option really doesn’t appeal to me at all, especially since staring at it for so long has made me fall out of love with it.
So, what would you do? Should I rip it and try to reknit it to fit me? Should I rip the whole thing and repurpose/get rid of the yarn? For now, it’s been put into time-out. I’m going to completely ignore its existance until the thought of ripping it is slightly less painful. Since this project just about killed my knitting mojo, I’m spending my time with the simplest of projects, another stockinette shawl like the one I knit for my sister. This time, I’m using Malabrigo laceweight in Sealing Wax, and the shawl is all for me!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
It sounds like ripping is the only option. During the ripping you’ll probably get the feeling of either a need to forget about the whole thing or a need to knit it once more. Take your time to make the right decision. I really hope you’re going to reknit it. The colors are gorgeous together and I’m sure it’l be beautiful once it’s finished.
I would do just what your doing, hide it away until a year from now you stumble across it and exclaim in delight at the wonderful blue and green because you will have the perfect project for them
I love malabrigo in sealing wax…Im working on a lace ribbon in this but unfortunately its hiding in my dont want to think about pile
what about downsizing?
http://www.chicknits.com/ttdownsizing.shtml
Yup, definitely would hide it for a while… but once it starts really nagging at you in the back of your head, take it out and rip it and decide what to do next. For me that tends to come sooner rather than later — a week or two rather than a year. I’d probably repurpose it for a different sweater then.
I’d rip it, store the yarn, and give it a month. *Then* decide, after the pain of ripping has faded, whether you want to give it another go.
Does the whole thing need to be ripped? or just to the elbow and shoulder decreases? I’d let it sit for a while, re-evauate it in a few months, and then probably frog to where the bagginess can be fixed. The stripes are so gorgeous, and you’ve done so much work! It would be totally worth it to make it work.
OMG girl, I’m not even going to tell you what to do. I would be absolutely sick over this too. Look at all those beautiful stitches you would have to rip! I agree – stuff it in a corner for a while and pretend it never happened. Then, when you’re calmer about it, the answer will come to you.
rip it… always rip it. Knitting is about being courageous! and if you’re gonna knit, you have to be willing to rip!
I would rip it and then hide it out of sight for a while, until you can bear to see it again. I think the cardigan you wanted it to be is still a completely awesome plan (those colours! so stunning!) and I think that by re-knitting it and making it just how it should be you would not only have something beautiful and wearable and perfect, but you’d have learnt how to make things that way – totally worth doing!
The shawl looks like it’ll be great – I love Malabrigo laceweight – so lovely to work with and it’s surprisingly strong considering how soft and sumptuous it is. Great choice for a recovery project!
Ack, that sucks. I think the only option for me would be to frog it. But maybe put it away for a while until you don’t think murder as soon as you lay eyes on it.
The colours are beautiful, though.
You’re so brave to share this story with us. How dreadful! I feel your pain, Elin. *sends good vibe your way
I love the shawl you made for your sister. I never thought of wearing handknits when I was living in Singapore but it sure does get cold in the malls!
Hopefully Malabrigo will dull your heartache a little and give you the strength to re-knit the sweater.
You should definitely rip it and I too think that you will know what to do… It will talk to you
Good luck!
I hear some frogs croaking…
Yup, I agree with the rip it votes, and especially NatalieB. If you’re gonna knit, you gotta rip. You’ll feel better once it’s out of the way (I would.) For instance – my first (and only) sweater is slated to be ripped after the weather warms up. I should have ripped back some of the raglan increases (same problem as your sweater, too baggy under the arms, and hence, sleeves rather large). I didn’t rip, and while it doesn’t bug me every time I wear it, I notice it every other time I wear it. I decided the thing that would make me most happy would be to take the lessons I’ve learned and make a better sweater.
Unless you can somehow cut and weave the fabric (and I don’t think you can, by the looks of it?) I think ripping is the only option for less baggy fabric.
But if you do decide to rip, do it on your own schedule. There comes a time for every knitter that is suddenly “Spring Cleaning” time. Until then, put it away. When you want your green and blue sweater again, you will be able to rip joyfully, and fashion the sweater that is meant to be. And until that time happens, enjoy your other projects and your other successes.
I myself have put off ripping a mitten cuff for a couple of months now…still too annoyed. But the day will come, and it will be a good day, because then I will have an Object That Fits.
Oh how I feel your pain! I’d say the best thing to do is leave it along until you find a different project you want to use the yarn for and then rip it.
Ugh! I hate when that happens but you’re doing the right thing to turn your mind to happier knitting.
What about steeking it? You could seam the sleeves and body at the circumference where you want them to be and then steek the excess fabric out. If this seems too crazy, I would frog it. I know it pains you now, but it will be worth it in the end, it is such a beautiful sweater.
I nominated you for the Butterfly Award on my blog because I think you have a very interesting blog and knit beautifully! Have a great weekend!
Found your blog through Ravelry.
I’d frog the sweater – but would wait until you find another purpose for the yarn. I recently did this with a sweater and it was absolute freedom.
By the way, love your work!
C
Rip it! And don’t look at it as frogging a sweater – you’re actually gaining yarn.
I seriously love those colors together btw!!
I just have to say that I love your blog and knitting! I have been following this for a while now and it always makes me smile. Great photos and love to read this also!