What not to do:
After two beers, sit on the dim couch, watching previously TiVoed Airline episodes with sister Christy, knitting Cromarty. When you suddenly and very unexpectedly come up a stitch short in one of the patterned areas, don’t fret! Just make one, purl it as you should, and go merrily along.
I didn’t think I was that affected by beer – after all, I’ve been drinking it for years and years and knitting under its influence at Stitch’n’Bitches for a long time. When I woke up the next morning, before I even got out of bed, I though, oh shit.
I found that dropped stitch, yes, I did. Worked it back up the seven or so rows and fixed the problem, but I’m amused at how blithely I just whipped up that extra stitch without even THINKING that a missing stitch might be something to worry about. Lord.
And while we’re praying, please help me with the dyelot problem. I got the yarn from the BoyWonder Rob (and another slew of Noro 55 – I mentioned to him that it was a good thing he didn’t sell drugs – he laughed his evil laugh and inferred that the skeins might be laced…..) Koigu Kersti is one of the best yarns I’ve ever worked with, but one of its magical properties is the color – it’s hand dyed, and I knew this dyelot might be a little different. But it’s quite a lot different:
It’s the difference between a coffee with a splash of cream and cafe au lait. In certain lights, it’s not very noticeable. In others, it is. So. Now. Help me out.
** Here’s where I originally had a long What I Could Do entry. But then Marvellous Rob emailed me, saying, Oh, I have some of the darker, too. Send me your old one and we’ll match it.
See why I love him? I want to marry him. Although Matt might not like that. And you know this pesky country of ours won’t let gays marry.
Heh.
I *heart* Rob.
This SAME THING just happened to me with some handpaint I bought from e-bay. I still don’t know what I am going to either except rip the other front down to where I switched yarn on the other side – then make both sleeves from the new yarn. But then again my yarn is not quite as different as yours. Good luck – I feel your pain girl!
Keri
What a guy! Yippee! I can totally relate to your beer story though. I easily screw up and happily let it go while knitting, drinking and watching the boobtube! Glad you were able to fix it. Amazing though, how beer dulls all senses.
i hope the new color works out! to get my vicarious adrenaline rush. I now find myself on the edge of my seat following “A skein too short: The Cromarty Story”
Time was I had to watch an exciting movie with a bomb, or a bus, or (let us hope) both
I’m such a nerd.
I have totally just made a stitch when I have found myself to be one short. only to realize later that it DOES make a difference- especially when you are cabling.
Ah Rachael, I feel your pain! I had a similar drinking experience a few weeks ago, but in the middle of my Rose Trellis Lace Stole. EEK!
Ah well, no one will miss that row of pattern but me, right?! It is stayin’ now, it’s about 4 repeats behind me.
Just so you know, I am still making passing attempts at working on the shell and wave shawl. I add a few rows every week! (ducking)
I’m a member of GMADK: Gay Men Against Drunk Knitting. I have learned the easy way, on one of my first pieces of knitting: I had too much wine, knitted a few rows, looked at it the next morning and said, basically, “Oh *@@$%^@.”
And promptly vowed never to knit and drink.
Oh..my…Gawd. The line about gays not being able to marry–and your special twist on it?–absolutely brilliant! I’m sending a big belly laugh a big conspiratorial wink in your direction, you genius girl, you.
I’m with Ryan – you crack me up!
Ahh, but that is the irony isn’t it? That two gays CAN marry with the establishments blessings, you just have to be of the opposite sex! I do see the tide turning though, here in Canada at least… and at LEAST the idea is being TALKED about in the States these days.. In some miniscule way there is progress and hope!
Oh lordy, have I learned my lessons vicariously through you guys – no knitting under the influence, and no buying hand-painted yarn at two different times (aka buy MORE MORE MORE than you need). And Rachael, if you marry Rob, make sure it happens in Portland, and we’ll all come and cheer.
Spousal discount?
You crack me up gal….the spousal discount idea actually made me pause….for a moment….hmmmmmm. Oh, no I guess not. bummer. 😉 I don’t knit and drink, I have enough problems knitting sober, thanks!
Can not wait to see Cromarty finished and your pic of yourself modeling it!! 🙂
You slay me. This whole entry just slays me. Though I think I knit better after a couple beers than I do on a crummy shocks-less Greyhound bus cruising over pothole-ridden I-91. OY.
Wow! That really is a difference in dye lots. Good thing Rob has some darker color. Maybe you won’t have to try my idea after all. It’s a good thing I don’t drink very much. I can screw up my knitting enough while sober. And I think you should marry Rob, if only for the spousal discount. Have you asked him what he thinks about this idea? Hee hee. Too funny!
oh, I’ve often said “the best guys are either gay or taken” my friend, Aaron, is proof – and so is Rob…sigh… They are the BEST, are they not?!
I think I might agree with Em… I think I knit better when I’m drinking. Sometimes. Or maybe it just goes faster because I’m not paying attention, dropping stitches, etc…
SO glad you got the right color for Cromarty. Can’t wait to see more pics!