Shake it off

What does one do when a project "fails"?

Not everything can turn out perfectly.  I'm OK with learning from my knitting (usually).  In the case of the Sideways Socks pattern by Sandi Rosner, I am unsure if it was the pattern or me... but something just ain't right!  I re-started the sock a number of times, and finally got to the end of the knitting, only to discover that the "easy" that this sock is (by knitting back and forth instead of on double pointed needles or using magic, loop, etc.) is quickly replaced by an entire sock length of kitchener stitch!  If that isn't enough, it's kitchener stitch in garter, then stocknette, then seed, and finally more stockinette!  I got through that battle, only to discover that the cuff of the sock is WAY too tight.  In the interest of sanity, I decided to call the entire project an "UGH" and move forward with life.  The balance of the yarn went into the sock yarn scrap bin, and the toeless sock is credited with probably the first time I have looked at a knitting project, decided that it's OK to let go and move on.

When animals are attacked and somehow escape, or even when the dog is finished with getting a bath... the first thing they do is "shake off" the fear and experience they had... Someone once told me that this something other animals do, but that humans internalize bad experiences.  I decided that I would "shake off" the bad experience of this project.  So, in an effort to be symbolic of the tragic fail, I decided the best thing to do with a misbehaving project is to climb to the roof of my building and hurl it with all my might into the abyss... goodbye, "Mr. Sock that didn't work out"... I'm acknowledging that you were not destined to be a finished object!

The pattern is the Sideways Socks on Ravelry - for me, it was an UGH but others have knit it and done well.  If you're feeling up to the challenge, give it a shot. 

SISC Installment #2

Deep breath in... deep breath out.  It's time to start a new project.  I got my trusty little drawing kit out for the Self Imposed Sock Club (even though it's not due for another month, I decided that since the first one went so terribly I should just dive in and give myself time to make this pair really count!)

There are only 6 different patterns left in my club - remember, I had planned on doing 6 pairs of socks for the year, and put 1 additional project in the mix just in case... I guess I should have re-selected immediately since the first project was a fail... but instead, I let it go, and feel like I MUST only knit 5 more of he 6 potential projects this year.  That being said, if I have another terrible fail, I'll have to jump into the next project immediately.  (I really hope that doesn't happen!)

The pattern I chose this time is the Waves and Piers Socks from The Little Box of Socks - It looks like an easy pattern and I love the way it shows off the color changes.  I'm using yarn from Wisdom Yarns (Universal Yarn) - the line is called Los Angeles... 75% wool, 25% polyamide (nylon) ... fingers crossed these socks work out!   If you are on Ravelry, here's the project link.

Survey Says

You'll notice at the top of the website there's a new tab marked "survey" - I am inviting you to participate in a quick (10 question) survey that will be an indicator as to what readers are interested in.  If you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your feedback.