Monday, January 29, 2007

Let me count the ways


How could I possibly mess up Wicked more? Well, I can probably mismatch sleeves. Other than that, I think I've covered all the bases. First, I swatched -- I really did. I swear. Then I cast on. One word: Moebius. Frogged it. Cast on again. In my excitement, I knit one crossover round then another immediately after (no plain round in between.) I discovered this immediately after finishing the second round. Did I frog? (You perfectionist knitters should just stop reading now because what I am about to tell you could lead to a heart attack and I don't want your death on my conscience.) So, no. I did not frog. I continued my collar and yoke section with no mishaps, but just before I was about to divide for the sleeves I realized that I was struggling to slide the stitches around my needles. "H-m-m-m" I thought. "I was mighty tense after the moebius & double crossovers, maybe I should check gauge." And, I was way off! 22 stitches / 4 inches on size 7s. Did I frog? No. I decided that I would just knit the next size up. So I continued to add my extra rounds then divided. I knit a few more rounds before I thought "H-m-m-m, the knitting seems to be flowing very well on my needles. MAYBE I SHOULD CHECK GAUGE!" I was now back to knitting at the suggested gauge, but now knitting the wrong size for my measurements. Have I frogged it yet? No. My question to you all: can it be saved? or should I give in and rip it?

7 comments:

mary_me_a_little said...

It certainly *looks* lovely, though it appears to be a bit too big for you at the bottom of your knitting. Sigh...remembering that it's the *process* that many of us enjoy as much as the actual product, I would frog back to the armpits and use a different needle size that will give you the same gauge as above the armpits. It's too much work to make a sweater that doesn't fit perfectly....that's my motto fwiw:) Keep posting your progress!

CaveGurl said...

As much as you probably don't want to, you should frog. I am knitting Eiffel. This is my first sweater, my first attempt at using dnps, first accomplished attempt at lace, etc. I had a large learning curve with my first sleeve - got over that and then on Saturday just as I was about to start the 5 or so finishing rows, I realize that instead of decreasing 8 stitches each time as the pattern plainly states, I have only decreased 4. I tried to correct it without frogging, really I did - but in the end the frogging won out! I would do as 'Mary' suggested and at least go back to the needle change.

I know how you feel, frogging is the pits! :0(

Michelle B said...

OHHH your color is great! But you know you'll be unhappy not want to wear the sweater (or maybe not finish it) if you don't frog. I still have my Simple Knitted Bodice in Time out and I am trying to decide if to frog it or not. It takes way to long to finish a sweater to not love it and the way it fits! Good Luck!

Lara said...

Yes, I agree with Mary, frog it and then go down a needle size. It just looks too big for you and if you keep knitting it, you will most likely be disappointed. But besides the fit, it looks really pretty and the color is fantastic!

Susan said...

Yes, I second, uh third..whatever.
You really need to start again....

Find a quiet place, take a deep breath and channel your inner Kermit..ribbit:(

We have all been there @ some time or another And it Will make you a better knitter in the end.
I Gar-Un-Tee it! Good Luck.

Chantel said...

The color is very pretty. I agree I think it looks a little too big on you. But the neck line is fitting. You wouldn't have to rip it back too far. It will be worth it in the end and you'll love it even more because of all the work you put into it.

allie said...

Ripping is really the way to go, sadly. Once it looks perfect, you'll feel better about it, too. Good luck!!