The Greatest Knitter Ever.

I am taking a deep, deep breath.  I am going to be a grown-up knitter for probably the first time, and keep  starting over until I get. it. right.

It's a learning experience.  That's what it is.  I learned what a "no-stitch" is.  It's what it sounds like, a place where there will be a stitch later, but there isn't right now.  In the pattern I'm knitting  trying to knit, anyway.  That took two or three false starts. 

Then I realised that the pattern wasn't really taking shape.  WHy wasn't that yarnover anywhere near the two purls?  oh.  In THIS lace pattern, you knit the WS rows BACKWARDS.  Or you read the chart backwards anyway.  Literally.  Stitch for stitch, just like the chart.  I knit a little swatch (that is what grown-up knitters do, right?).

I cast on again, 118 stitches.  I knit right to left and read the next row left to right.  My columns of stitches STILL managed to come adrift, slightly, from their moorings.  In some places I had an extra knit, or an extra purl.  I probably had my tongue out like a little kid playing the piano, and I slogged through the first 8 rows.  The little leaves took shape.  There were a couple of places where an extra stitch had crept in, but i didn't care.  My ribbing had little leaves!  I was the greatest knitter ever!  (I had a similar moment knitting my first clapotis- right before I threw the pattern away and forgot to drop half the remaining stitches.  I should have known that Greatest Knitter Ever feeling, and been afraid.)  I read the next row.  ANd the one after that and the one after that.  Three rows of stockinette before the set up for the lace panel.  Yay.  Knit a row, purl a row... what?  The stockinette, she is on the WRONG SIDE.

Like the wicked witch of the west, the greatest knitter ever dissolved in a cloud of smelly steam. First denial.  No, I was so careful (I wasn't).  ANGER!  For crap's sake!  Stupid yarn!  Stupid knitting.  Stupid  cute baby! I was left Bargaining.. ok, well if I start the lace on THIS side instead, the whole cardi will be REVERSED, but that's okay.  No, maybe if I do one more stockinette row... then the lace will be back on the right side of the cardi, there will just be a couple rows of garter stitch at the bottom... oh... nope. Then my head in my hands.  DEPESSION.  Nothing to do but rip. it.  Those last couple rows.  Pick up the stitches and keep going.  Oh, gawd, I hate trying to rip back and pick up.  Finally.... ACCEPTANCE.    I am going to go BACK to the beginning.  Cast on.  Place stitch markers.  NOT let the stitch count waver during the SECOND row!  Think of today as a giant swatch, and not a collossal waste of time.

Aren't you proud?

Speaking of proud, my big baby turns 14 tomorrow.  How is that even possible?

Comments

[Mandie]

Oh dear. I feel your angst if it's any consolation luvvy.
Happy Burfday to Wonder Boy!

[Donyale]

Hey! You did a swatch didn't you? That's more than I can say for me! Champion Knitter I say, Greatest Ever Mum more likely.

[amanda j]

Extreme knitting! It really sucks doesn't it . . . but just imagine the feeling of accomplishment when you show that knitting you will NOT be beaten!

My oldest baby turns 14 on Monday! Time goes so very quickly.

[Jes]

I think its wonderful that your not giving up! Before you know it, youll have that adorable little green sweater and cap all done. Theres been more than once that I felt like giving up on a project myself. You read the pattern and you do exactly what it says, butsomehow it just isnt working. youre like 'What the @$#%??' But eventually you will figure it out and have something very very cute to show for it!

But how could that adorable little thing of yours not be cute in what ever you put her in??

[Kary]

O - I **so** hate when this happens! Good luck!!