Three Strikes

The only difference between new knitters and experienced ones is how soon we notice mistakes after making them. Not, I repeat, NOT, how often we make mistakes. That's a constant.

Isn't that reassuring? Case in point, this lace panel thingy:

Strike 1:  I totally know better than this, but I forgot. Or more likely, was trying to get to the interesting part sooner. Whichever it was, I made a very narrow band of 1 x 1 rib at the bottom. So narrow is it, in this superwash sock yarn, that it curls like mad. And by "curls", I mean "total roller-shade, up from the bottom". Not flattering. And even though I told myself blocking would help, I know that to be a huge lie. Superwash yarn can only ever do whatever it's doing right now. You can't poke, prod, fold, spindle or mutilate it into any other state.

Strike 2:  Arsed up the last decrease of the pattern. Would it show? Let's see: Um, is it in the very front and center of the piece? Yes. Do other people have eyes? Yes. Then yes, it will show.

Strike 3:  Jacked up the vertical repeat by failing to move the sticky note that was supposed to tell me which row of the pattern I'm knitting.  Turns out that moving the sticky note is a manual process. Will it be noticeable? See Strike 2.

But the best thing of all about this photo is what you can clearly see. I went on knitting for a further three inches after taking note of all these errors, telling myself it would all be okay. It wasn't until I fully got the hang of the pattern that I could see (admit) how much trouble I had been in at the beginning. And every row I knit properly made the earlier ones look that much worse. Until I remembered the words of a very wise knitter, who said to me: "I've never regretted the decision to rip out a mistake, but there have been plenty of times I regretted the decision not to."

So there it is. Would these mistakes haunt and torture me for the life of the garment? Yes. Three strikes; you're out. I frogged the wee beastie. And this photo is the only proof it ever happened. 

Isn't it grand how knitting is the only place where your mistakes don't go on your permanent record?

Holes Wrapped in Yarn

I blithely packed up my yarn, needles and a stitch dictionary with a vague idea of what I might do with them while on vacation. I shopped for lace panels in the dictionary, and fell in love with this one:

Then for no real reason at all, I decided to work it in the round. Which is really lucky for me, because look what happens on row/round 4! This pattern calls for increases and decreases to happen on consecutive rows, which means that if I were working flat, I would have to do those maneuvers from the wrong side! Which I have never done before! And is scary! 

I've been bitten in the arse by the old "Lace Knitting vs. Knitted Lace" distinction. For those who don't know; Lace Knitting is when you make all the increases and decreases on the front/knit side of the work, and just work even on the back/purl side.  Knitted Lace is when the action happens on the back/purl rows as well. So as long as I'm knitting this circularly, things are really normal, because I'm always on the front/purl side of the piece. But when I separate at the armholes and start working back and forth, I'm going to have to learn a whole pile of new sexy party tricks. Knitting is so ceaselessly amazing: There is always something you've never done before. 

Dreams of Spring

Well, it's finally Spring Vacation for the Family Von Huff. We're heading to the coast for a little break, during which I want to be knitting something new. After all this winter with literally miles of yarn in my lap, I'm ready for something a little lighter. Something with maybe a little lace in it...

I've been hoarding these beauties since a dear friend bought them for me for my birthday. No, I will not tell you which birthday, because you're far to polite to ask. Isn't it gorgeous? Dream in Color Smooshy, in "Plum Paisley".  I have about 900 yds, so whatever I come up with, it won't be very big, no matter what.

I'm leaning toward something camisole-y. Some sort of pretty, vest/tank-like item that looks and feels feminine and hints of warmer days.

What are your favorite sleeveless patterns? Happy Solstice!