There’s a certain time of year that anyone who lives in this latitude might dread. The days are grey and short (but getting gradually longer). The temperatures are too low to want to do much besides linger longer than one should over the hot coffee, poaching its warmth and stimulation. One is in desperate need of Vitamin KAL!!! Let it begin!
hosted by the fabulous Alison…
Somewhere on the Wardrobe Timeline in my head, I decided that I was going to try and make most of my clothes. I’ve been going through my galleries (some of which mysteriously disappeared due to coding phglem) and it appears, for awhile this was indeed the case!
Hoodies Galore! Simple Cardis and MORE!
The more in this case is the Holiday Sweater. For some reason, I was magnetized to the fact that I HAD to have a new garment for Christmas. For Valentine’s Day. For My Birthday (what, a birthday can’t be a National Holiday?). Easter. Fourth of July. SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!
Great anxiety usually chased these creations towards a deadline, taking the wind from beneath my cheerful sails. I indeed gained a sweater, but alas, lost my thrill.
The Ghosts of Holiday Sweaters Past include:
These sweaters are worn as much as possible – all within the last week in fact – and continue to amuse and delight.
Others are not so gainfully employed. Observe:
Now, this sweater is so wrong on so many levels that it makes my head spin!
In January of 2002, I made some resolutions – these were actually more like proclamations – but meant to empower all the same!
ChicKnits 2K2 ForReal Resolution #1
Feels Hinky
Looks Hinky
IT’S HINKY!!!ChicKnits 2K2 ForReal Resolution #2
“NEVER be afraid to rip out a mistake or even a whole project!!!If it feels hinky & it looks hinky, it is hinky and a few minutes of your time will send it back onto the runway.”
This sweater does not fit me, never has, and is a tremendous WASTE OF YARN!
So in honor of the incredible mediocrity of that project, I offer you this new proclamation:
ChicKnits 2K5 ForReal Resolution #1:
“If it ain’t Bitchin’ Undo that Stitchin’!”
Let the fix begin…
Ha–just read your sidebar about music. My ipod lives on the same JBL donut speaker in my living room (well, okay, not the same one or it would be in YOUR house, but ykwim).
Amen. I have a delightful 22 year old niece who is learning to knit. I know she is going to be great because she frogged her third project, a garter stitch baby blanket, multiple times because of dropped stitches. If only she had implored the help, or sought the intercession of an experienced knitter. I gave her a crochet hook. Poor kid—she’s hooked alright.
As usual, you inspire. I have several of said projects…..what holds me back from frogging them? Having to UNDO THE WOVEN IN ENDS! Ack! Any suggestions that would make that hated task easier???
Yeah baby. Rip it.
Must be something in the air. Over the weekend, I ripped out an entire cabled turtleneck that I’d knit 6 or 7 years ago. I didn’t know much about seaming at the time and it was driving me nuts. Plus, it didn’t fit me particularly well and the gorgeous Noro colors fought with the cable pattern. The yarn and I will both be much happier when it’s a fitted, office-worthy cardigan with abalone buttons.
Oh. my. god. I can tell you right now that the phrase “If it ain’t bitchin’ undo that stitchin'” will stay with me for always.
Thank you for that.
“If it ain’t bitchin’ undo that stitchin'”
This will be my February resolution! I have a Kyoto sweater which I love from http://www.knitty.com. But I rushed the seaming and it has always bothered me. I will unpick it and learn how to do mattress stitch. Now where did I put that stitch-ripper?
Let the rippin’ begin. I am in process of deciding how to fix some sad and lonely FO’s. I even relayed to my mother that February was “Fix it” time and she has pulled some “not bitchin'” FO’s from her closet and has made the decision to rip 2 and re-seam one. We can improve the world, one knit at a time (teehehe-if only it was that easy)
you are so supremely lucky to have such a small ass
Has to be something in the air: My DH wore a vest that I’d dyed, spun and knit for him several years ago and I realized that with his weight loss…the thing now looks like a rust-colored Aran feedsack. Rip-city.
I have no real substance to offer the discussion here, but am both completely amused and in complete agreement.
I love that 2k5 statement. It’s great and true.
Hurray for sweater surgery. Last week I performed it on a cardigan/jacket I knit from an IK pattern (ruffles at cuff and hem and a shawl collar) two or three years ago. The procedure included removing sleeves, stitching around armholes, and cutting said armholes to reshape. No complications ensued, and the patient is fully recovered (ie, can be worn). Thanks for the inspiration.
there is nothing sadder than knitting something you don’t like. it makes knitting a very sad endeavour, indeed.
I hereby nominate “if it ain’t bitchin, rip that stitchin'” as the knit blog phrase of the year!
Thank you for not including that I have to immediately RE-stitch. I have been putting off ripping my Rowan Heather pullover (because my gauge was off–too big!) because I don’t want to start over yet. But who says I have to start over? Just rip that completely not bitchin’ pile of pieces back into happy potential-filled balls. Heading to the ball winder now…
Your thanksgiving sweater is my all time favorite. I love it.
I remember that fuzz-necked sweater! That was when I started to read your blog. Every day. And you have never ceased to amuse, enlighten and inspire. I can’t wait to see what the maroon yarn will become. Something with some shaping for sure!
Oh crap. Does this mean I have to rip out the giant blue fuzzy thing? The yarn is delish:
http://www.artfibers.com/YARN/catalog/furrier_1/Kyoto/kyoto.html
… but I don’t think it will rip well. I just keep on trying to reblock it longer and narrower. The good news is that I got some use out of it when I was 9 months pregnant. Maybe I should keep it on hand in case I accidentally gain 60 lbs?
Hee! Best. Knitting Proclamation. Ever!
I am going to be pondering Hinky-ness amongst my current projects now….thx, B-M!
I LOVE the resolution. Recently I’ve come to realize my knitting potential, and I don’t HAVE to be content with the end product! Thanks for being a bitchin’ lady BM!