I had a lovely phone conversation the other day with Leslie of Nake-id Knits. It was the first time I’d ever spoken to a blog-friend, and it really was weird at first. Then we fell into it – just as you’d think would happen. What I found curious were not only the connections that we’re all already aware of (the knitting, the writing, the cats, the (generally) liberal stance, the graciousness of spirit), but also our shared rapidity of speech, an ability to zoom from one topic to another and back again. It must be the knitting. The ability to make it up as you go along. She’s of the “trotting horse” school of thought, as am I (as opposed to someone like Becky whose finishing work is the stuff dreams are made of). It was a blast to talk about this kind of thing, to reference familiar blogs in our conversation, dropping names and sites, knowing we’re all just one big ole happy family.
I love it. We’re lucky, don’tcha think?
Plus, I get some great readers who are non-knitters who boost my spirits in just the same way. The other day my friend Nichole called me just to say she had read the virtual highway entry and wanted to thank me for making her laugh. She doesn’t knit, but she loves me despite my obsession. And special props go to Brandy and Kathy, who have read since day one, who make me feel so special. (One day Kathy’s son was in dispatch, and she said to him, “Oh, David, this is the website lady.” I didn’t think he’d really know what the hell she was talking about. Yeah, Mom. Whatever you say. But he exclaimed, “No yoga in the bathtub!” I almost fell off my chair. He knew me, all right.) And Brandy’s a knitter now!
Didn’t know this post was going to be a love-fest. But it is. There you go. Thanks for reading, thanks for being my friends. It means more than you know. Or heck, maybe you do.
Anyway – what I WAS going to talk about is the opposite of a love-fest. Yep. A knitting hate-fest. It’s what I haven’t been talking about (no, it’s not the Secret Project, but that’s done, too) because I was too busy just making it.
I hate this sweater. Hate (almost) everything about it. Won’t frog it because I hate ripping out my knitting and I hate this yarn. Not worth rewinding. It’s just Plymouth Galway Highland Heather, color 741 – not even that despicable a fiber. Good solid hundred percent wool. Nothing fancy. It’s the color I despise. What was I thinking?
In the sun, it’s beautiful. In the sun, there are hints of yellow and blue under the mint green. MINT! Aaaaaarghhhh! And how often do you wear a sweater in the sun? Huh? Huh?
And the pattern, a photocopied no-name travesty, is unavailable anywhere on-line. For good reason. I can’t even begin to document how many problems there were in the pattern. Just plain wrong, written in language that was just plain stooopid.
For these reasons, and for the sake of my sanity, I cut it short. Whap! It was supposed to have full sleeves with the pattern done down the arms. No fucking way. It got cap sleeves just so I could bind it off yesterday, for once and for all.
The thing is, I hate it too much to even give it away. That’s when you know it blows. The only way I find it tolerable is layered under black, which means I’ll wear it only on winter nights when I know it’ll be cool enough to keep two layers on (I overheat quickly). While cap sleeves might look good on some, they don’t on me, baby. I’m a tank-girl. Cap sleeves make my arms look like thighs.
Enough ranting. Here’s the monstrosity:
A detail of the twists which were pretty all right, I suppose, once I rewrote the (almost wrote “code”) pattern:
Digit weighs in:
Me dancing in black. Trying to cheer it up.
Sheesh. At least it’s over. Mint…. Grumble….
No post tomorrow, no time, so have a great weekend! See you Monday! Mwah!
Rachel-
Maybe you don’t want to hear this but personally I think the sweater is quite pretty!! The pattern is very nice and it looks really good on you! And your knitting prowess is quite evident!
It may not be your favorite color but I think it is very attractive and I know the Bay area can get mighty chilly.
Enjoy it, it looks GREAT!
Holy cow. I miss a couple of posts and damn near missed a goblin takeover. Fortunately, they take prisoners so I know you’d be ok. Phew!
Let’s recap:
In the photo with digit’s paw on the knitting, I somehow mistook it as you saying it was your paw/arm/appendage. = made me laugh
When you said you got a migrane while curling your eyelashes, I laughed so hard I got a very sharp cramp in my lower right quadrant. And then damned if I didn’t think I had a migrane too! I’m happy you’re getting to the root cause of your ailment (I suffer with you). Medical science needs you.
Your friends and talk of friendship are/is beautious. I love that.
Your mint sweater, while not your colour, looks so beautifully knitted. I love that too.
I think they should put your picture on the label of that jam.
xxoo
So if you don’t like the green, why don’t you dye the thing??? Galway’s too nice to waste on something you hate. The photo is great!! 🙂
I tried to make you a lemon haraungue pie…
since you like it so much…but THEN oh my
that sweater. CHeeeezus, girlfriend. That’s a ton of work for somefin you hate.
Here’s my evil idea (and only cuz I did this myself once with something cabled that took me freakin’ for EVER….)
Tuck the sleeves in and baste them closed.
Stitch up the bottom edge as well.
Put a really big hot water bottle in it 😉
My local chi chi boutique-a-rama is selling them for 100 bucks.
DO the happy trendy dance.
I myself am dancing to this FAB Italian CD….
wooooowheee!
ooops, forgot the
FELT the thang
step.
cha cha cha…
I love you!
And the sweater isn’t bad at all under that black jacket. Cute.
Love ya again.
Since it is a ‘love in’ kinda day let me say that I have really been enjoying your blog.. the virtual tour around a part of the world I am itching to see and your writings on your trips to Italy (where my roots lie..) Not only are you a spunky fun chick evident in your blog but brave too! I bet you are just a blast in person 🙂 The mint sweater is carried off beautifully with the black (imho). Thanks for the entertainment! Look forward to the BOOK!
Oh! I feel the love. Thanks for such a kind mention. WOW 🙂 [Gives group hug.]
That top is so excellent. And such a cute dance move! I must try that one. Hee!
We are our worst critics. I think your sweater is lovely. Hey, I think you can take credit for writing the pattern, since it was inoperable before you so lovenly tore it wide open, and tweaked it ’till it worked, what a surgeon! I guess you finished it for the challenge or should I say for the punishment, if you are in to that sort of thing….Anyway, you look at it, I think it looks great!
i cant see the prob, seriously if i could knit like you i would
be sooooooooooooooooooooo happy, the design is pretty cool
you look great
take care u crazy girly
I think it looks better on you than it does on the floor. Whoa, isn’t that a pick-up line in reverse? Seriously, though–it looks good with the black. So you won’t wear it much. Maybe you’ll find someone who really wants it and you can gift it out.
I’m with you on the cap sleeves thing. I am not happy that they are still in style and I can’t find a decent T-shirt anymore.
I agree — the sweater isn’t that bad at all. Maybe not the greatest colour, but not the worst. It looks good on you in the photo, under the jacket. I also commiserate with the cap sleeves thing. Not a flattering cut. I LOVE that you said they make your arms look like thighs! I’m totally gonna use that, since I have the same experience and that’s the best description EVER. (And yes, I do think we’re lucky.)