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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Little Voice said Rippit

I never posted last week for Ginny's Yarn Along. I didn't post, because I had ripped out the shawl I was knitting. It just wasn't right, and I knew it. Of course, I kept ignoring the little voice in my head. I forged ahead. I kept telling myself I could block it, and the fabric would be fine. The voice said I should change to a bigger needle; I didn't listen. I didn't want to stop. I didn't want to frog the shawl. It wasn't until my friend felt the shawl. She immediately told me the fabric was stiff. Drat. She was right. I could ignore the voices in my head, but I couldn't ignore her. So, while sitting at the park, I ripped back my shawl. I think she felt bad, but truly she was just echoing my inner thoughts.

So, I moved up a needle size and cast-on again last Tuesday. Changing to larger needles has really helped the feel of the shawl. I am currently knitting the back, which means I am further than when I ripped it out. Woo Hoo! It is a simple shawl reminiscent of the one worn in the new Jane Eyre film. The pattern is easy, and I should have it done by next week. Of course, a shawl in Arizona during the summer is not truly necessary. I will probably use it when confronted with the frigid air-conditioning found in most places or wait until winter (which is many months away!).
To Eyre Shawl 
I finished a quick read that a friend gave me entitled Body Surfing by Anita Shreve. The book follows a woman and her involvement with multiple members of a family. It was an interesting exploration of a family dynamic and the psychology of marriage. Since it was a quick read, I finished after a few days and was able to start Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. I have had this book on hold at the library several times. Each time previously I was already reading something when it was available for pickup. This time I was ready for it. I will have more to share about it next week.

12 comments:

  1. Maybe you shouldn't share any information about your knitting with these friends of yours. They keep giving you bad news.

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  2. Loved Cutting for Stone! Cannot wait to discuss with you.

    Glad you had the help of a friend. I think it is very nice to have a friend confirm our inner voice :)

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  3. Oh, that voice... It would have been awful, though, to finish only to have your fears confirmed...I love the Jane Eyre shawl!

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  4. I am not sure why we never listen to the "voice", but I'm glad you have a friend to give the voice a shove.

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  5. Anonymous7:54 AM

    I don't like to listen to that voice either.

    I'm glad, though, that listening to your friend (who was echoing the voice) put you back on track.

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  6. Frogging can be so painful, but it sounds like you shawl is happier for it now! Can't wait to see how it turns out. Jacinta

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  7. I hate that "little voice" but worse if I don't listen to it! It's always good to have a good "hand" or feel to your knitting ... even if the needle size is different than the pattern calls for. Designers try to give a good average knitter needle size, but as with all things, few of us are "average".

    Enjoy the shawl!

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  8. Ripping out knitting can be sad but the new and improved version always makes it better!

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  9. I never listen to that voice at first either. It's like whatever is wrong will magically go away, which I know is not true. Congrats on getting along so far on the shawl. It looks cozy already!
    Ang (Peach Coglo)

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  10. I spent time ripping this week too. The restart looks great!

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  11. Can't wait to hear what you say about Cutting for Stone. I've heard so much about it, but haven't gotten to it yet.

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  12. I learned this week myself that it's always good to follow your instincts when it comes to knitting! Glad you were able to start over and that you're happier with your shawl.

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