Defeated

 

Over the years, I've heard about the big knitting smackdowns; I've read about them, even watched them (virtually) happen to other knitters.  Until now, I've been basically unscathed.  I've had bad knitting days, as we all do, I've had messes and mishaps, but until now, never felt the full force of all that is dark and powerful in knitting come to bear on me.  Until now, I said. 

It's my own fault, really.  You all heard me, some of you even commented on it.  And the lesson has been learned.  Never, never, NEVER talk about how your Christmas knitting is all done weeks before Christmas arrives.  Don't do it.  Feeling fully pleased with myself, I forgot that I was just asking for a comeuppance, and did I ever get it!

It all began quite simply, really.  I attend a weekly Bible study, and there are a couple of wonderful older ladies that volunteer to watch all the little kiddies in the nursery, so us moms can enjoy a couple of hours of grownup time.  We decided to put together a basket for each lady, full of little thank-you gifts; since I was all done with the Christmas knitting, naturally I decided I would whip them each up something sweet.  I decided on the Reverse-Bloom Flower Washcloth, from Weekend Knitting.  I just happened to have two skeins of the cotton chenille yarn in my stash, so I happily sat down with my needles and yarn and quickly knit up the five petals for the first cloth.  All was going nicely, until I went to join the petals on a circular needle.  As I was knitting across, the yarn broke.  Broke!  I couldn't believe it, but I had a think and decided to just knit up one more petal, replace and carry on.  No big deal, right?  Then, to be extra clever, I joined the other petals together, just to make sure I wasn't going to run into this problem again.  The next day, The Day of Disaster, I knit the final petal.  Made a mistake, ripped and started over.  Finished the petal, began to join it, and on the Very Last Stitch?  Yep - broke again!  I was so frustrated, I ripped the stupid petals off my needle, walked to the garbage can and tossed them in.  Forget it.  I'll buy the nice ladies a Tim Hortons gift card!

But The Day of Disaster was not over yet!  I figured I'd comfort myself by watching a nice, sappy movie (Serendipity was on TV), and work on the pair of Dashing I'm making for Stuart.  There I sat, baby sleeping, movie on, breathing deeply - then I looked down.  I had somehow managed to completely and totally screw up the cable row - a couple if inches ago.  Sigh. Frog, frog, frog.  I pulled out a swatch.  And The Wrong Size Needles.  When the realization sunk in that I had experienced my third strike, I put the needles down and admitted defeat.  It's the first time in three years I've watched a movie without knitting in my hands.  Please God, let it be the last. 

Comments

[Pam]

Oh, I hate days like that. It does get better, the next time you pick up the needles, it will be a nice, relaxing experience.

[sarah]

BEEN THERE!!!!
I know how frustrating it can be!

[colleen]

I hate when that happend!
time to switch to the spinning for a bit

[sue]

Oh what horrible yarn to break so many times. At least you know not to use it again. Lesson learned I say, and we have all knitted and then realised rows later that we made a mistake. At least we can rip it back and fix it cant we.

[Hasbu]

I hate it when the yarn breaks! I'm knitting a lace shawl for my MIL and had the yarn broken twice. I couldn't believe it.

[angie Cox]

Oh that is a shame. I loved looking after the toddlers at Meeting and would have appreciated that you even tried so don't feel bad .

[Sarah]

Oh bad luck - let's hope that's your share of knitting naughties out of the way for a long time!

[Laura]

I'm so sorry for you! I had that happen once with that same yarn and pattern. (But the washcloths do make nice gifts!)

I hope you were easily able to find something suitable and less frustrating to give!

[Julie]

Let's hope it's the last is right - movie without knitting is just wrong!

[Nora]

Oh sweetheart, I know how you feel. I've unravelled almost everything in the last 2 weeks. Must be that time of year again...! :)

[Sandra]

Oh No...I'm just beginning with my knitting journey, but I already understand the frustration, lol :)

[Judy G.]

You have a way higher threshold of Keeping Going. I would have given up after the first break.

Serendipity is one of my fave movies. Anything with John Cusack is one of my fave movies. (Must Love Dogs and High Fidelity are both high on the list.)

Off to frog a whole sweater. Stay warm!