Monday, July 24, 2006

Sometimes it takes a friend

. . .to help you rip back several inches of your first lace shawl. (I'm sorry Carmelita, but you'll thank me for it later!) I knew what had to be done, I just needed needed to set it aside and sit with it for a while before doing the deed. I needed that last little nudge. Even though this is my first lace project and I usually cut myself some slack on my first attempt at anything, I came to the conclusion that the mistake I made was not one I could live with. (Dis, you were right.) And so, last Thursday night, Julia ripped, I wound. Although judging from the stares by bewildered on-lookers at Knit Cafe who observed with much concern, the process was virtually painless. "What are you doing?" they asked Julia, as if she was causing me actual, physical harm. "Oh, just ripping a shawl," she calmly replied. "It had to be done," I said, reassuring the desperate faces around us that not only was I okay with this, I was genuinely grateful for the offer and for the helping hand(s). "She's a good friend." (Cue Dionne Warwick & co. singing "That's What Friends Are For.")

Thank goodness for the kindness of friends, and for lifelines! And for Group Therapy night. (Suzan, you have no idea!) And also for the opportunity to learn Lace Lesson #171: Check your work...often! This wouldn't have been nearly as much drama, had I just checked my work continuously and not gone on for so long without noticing the F-up. Now I know. And now, to begin again...more or less...



Never missing an opportunity, I used my hiatus from Carmelita to start a new pair of socks. I impulse-bought the most fun Koigu (I love this yarn so much, I would consider marrying it) and after searching long and hard for a pattern that would do this colorway justice, I decided on Marilyn Roberts' Crusoe from the Spring '03 Knitty. This is so much fun to knit! Kyra was kind enough to let my sock pose next to her as she napped.

Totally unrelated, if you are in need of some fun to combat the Monday blues, may I suggest you check out this book, which was brought to my attention by Mary-Heather. I am going to have to pick up a copy for myself, because we were having so much fun, I'm not sure I learned much- other than how fun it is to act like a 10 year-old every now and then. ;) Also, Nasus told us about this website, which I found to be interesting and quite informative, if you want to learn all about your birthday.

(Note: I am making a conscious decision to keep a light, positive spin on this post, therefore I will not go into how FREAKING OPPRESSIVELY HOT it was in Los Angeles over the weekend.)

8 comments:

Jennifer said...

Stay cool! It's freakishly hot up here too!

Disentangled said...

The good thing about ripping is as you knit again, you will have that satisfaction of knowing that it will now be right and you will be so happy that you did it.

That Kyra is so helpful! Cute sock, too :-)

Shelley said...

It is super hot even here in Seattle. Too hot to hold yarn this weekend - too sweaty! Sorry about the shawl. Ah well .. onward!!

Anonymous said...

Hot, hot hot, hothothot. Hot. UGH.

But! It was great to see you again at the KC. Good for you for ripping back and moving on... and that sweet little baby is adorable!

Julia (MindofWinter) said...

It will be great the second time around!!! Happy to be there for you. If it makes you feel any better I'm getting ready to rip out an entire sweater. Short-sleeved, but still.

Amy Boogie said...

Carmelita is a gorgeous color and I'm sure she'll be better because we all need to get ripped once in a while.

Kyra is adorable.

Anonymous said...

I definitely find ripping back is easier when there's someone there to help.

Theresa said...

Crusoe is an awesome pattern - one of my favorites. It's like it was made for Koigu. Oh wait . . . it was.