In Which The Frogs & I (finally) Knit A Fine Hat

re: In Which The Frogs & I (finally) Knit A Fine Hat

tamarque — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 11:26:06 GMT

I was at the fair for only 3 hours but it was great. Some of those colors made my eyes go kookoo trying to drink them in. One woman told me she did these colors just for the fair--dozens of them. She was a chemist in her previous life so you could tell how she loved playing with the chemistry of color. And found a 10 ball bag of DROPS for only $50. What a deal--an incredible midnite blue. And finally found the perfect rust color for my new grandbaby girl along with a mix of Fall colors. Can't wait to figure out what to make.

Will definitely revisit the fair next year and take my cane with me!

10 Reasons To Go To A Wool Festival

What's on Sandi's Needles? — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:11:49 GMT

It has come to my attention that some of you have not been to a wool festival. Having just come back

re: In Which The Frogs & I (finally) Knit A Fine Hat

smskirvin — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 04:53:17 GMT

I've just this year discovered the actual joy of ripping! Sometimes the yarn and pattern are just not at their best together, and everything is better if said yarn and pattern are separated and paired with better choices.

(To be honest, it's more about doing justice to the yarn. I am definitely yarn-centric.)

It's taken many years to get to this point, though. Now I can rip and feel quite satisfied when I have my yarn back again, ready for its next adventure.

How often do we get second chances or do-overs in real life?

re: In Which The Frogs & I (finally) Knit A Fine Hat

JaniceDeC — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:13:32 GMT

I love your posts, Sandi, and look forward to them with great anticipation. I frog often, partially because I have perfectionist tendencies, but I also like to look on it as a learning experience; "what went wrong and how can I keep it from happening next time?"

I'm excited that you'll be knitting Bettie's Lace Stockings, it's such a cute pattern. Maybe I'll even try an unofficial KAL. I've been knitting a lot of socks lately, but more standard, easy patterns. It would be fun to try something a bit more creative.

re: In Which The Frogs & I (finally) Knit A Fine Hat

JaneyW839 — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:39:08 GMT

Well, you've given me courage. I have a lovely top. Love the colors, the yarn, the pattern. Problem was, I knit a swatch about 6" x 6", washed and dried it, and it looked good. Did the math, knit accordingly, and it is acting like your purple yarn did. It slithers. (There is a lot of bamboo in it.) So it has slithered wide and slithered long, and looks like a tent instead of lovely. As in big enough for someone twice my size in both girth and height. (There's a scary image!) So I will frog. First I will measure THIS garment as a gauge, and then frog it and recalculate and knit accordingly. Will probably have enough yarn left over to make a little purse!

re: In Which The Frogs & I (finally) Knit A Fine Hat

MaryN@21 — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:18:06 GMT

My sentiments exactly, Sandi. when things go wrong, they are not necessarily 'mistakes' which is what the world seems to imply, but merely opportunities to learn and go on - better than ever :) :) There is even more satisfaction in the final product then!! Last winter I unpicked an entire sweater which had become stretched out and huge and wouldn't reblock and reknit it into a sleeveless tunic with a huge cowl - I love it and am so glad I took the time to do that. ribbit, ribbit!

re: In Which The Frogs & I (finally) Knit A Fine Hat

CindyL@42 — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 13:28:27 GMT

I have learned so much more from mistakes and how to handle them than I have ever learned from my successes. Besides, where's the adventure in always doing everything right the first time?

re: In Which The Frogs & I (finally) Knit A Fine Hat

yarngirl — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 10:59:19 GMT

Sandi, I love the way you connect knitting and life. And I totally agree with your comment that it's not the mistakes we make that determine who we are, but how we respond and what we do with them. I paint as well as knit, and the best pictures are often the ones that give the most trouble, that are layered and scraped and fought with.