For the past week, I have been working on the Luna Moth to the exclusion of all other projects. My sock projects and my Forest Path Stole lie neglected and forgotten. All thoughts of starting a new project are shoved mercilessly aside.
I really though it would only take a day or two to finish up this shawl. I thought that I only had to work the remainder of one pattern repeat to finish it off, but once I got it off the needles it was too small.
What I did not take into account was the fact that I used a needle two sizes smaller then what the pattern called for. Of course I ended up with a smaller shawl. There’s no picture as I was too frustrated to document my stupidity.
I had two choices, I could either live with a toddler sized shawl or I could undo the bind off and a couple rows of edging. Under normal circumstances, ripping out a few rows wouldn’t be so daunting but this shawl is knit with mohair.
This stuff seems to cement itself together in the humid climate I live in. No amount of time in the freezer alleviates the pain that is frogging hairy mohair. Nevertheless, I bit the bullet and tore the sucker apart.
It took me over two hours to get back on track. There was a lot of chocolate involved as well as some liberal cussin’. But I just couldn’t live with a toddler sized shawl and I don’t think the recipient of the shawl would be very ecstatic either.
I think I’ve made friends with the shawl again as the knitting is going smoothly, but I’m not taking any chances. I’m going slowly and carefully. Stitches are being meticulously counted and the project is put away in a Quincy-proof container whenever I’m not working on it. He may play the innocent, but given his past behavior I’m not taking any chances.
(Quincy honestly loves to sleep in the carrier. He has yet to learn the meaning of the carrier.)
Shelly on 19 Jul 2007 at 11:30 am #
Poor Quincy - just wait till he finds out what that carrier takes him too! Good idea to protect him from getting the shawl, since you are raising such a yarn snob of a kitten!
That shawl will be beautiful - I just know it . Your work will be rewarded!
chris on 19 Jul 2007 at 11:41 am #
Oh boy. That does sound rather daunting, but good for you! And chocolate, that does make a body feel better, doesn’t it?
That Quincy is just too cute!!
Sue J. on 19 Jul 2007 at 12:27 pm #
Kudos to you, Opal, for ripping mohair. I’m afraid I would have tossed it across the room long before finishing such a daunting task. But I do think you did the right thing. Sure hope we get to see photos when it’s finished and blocked. Quincy is so adorable.
debbie on 19 Jul 2007 at 12:36 pm #
i love the look of mohair, don’t know if i’ll ever attempt it - but your shawl is looking great - looks like a cloud….i’ve just had lunch and i feel like quincy in that last shot - yawn….see you tonight at mocha java, will be coming with patrice.
Debi on 19 Jul 2007 at 12:42 pm #
What fortitude!! :)
Quincy looks like he could sleep on the head of a pin!
Amanda on 19 Jul 2007 at 1:23 pm #
Sorry about the problems with the shawl. On a bright note, what you did/do have completed looked really great.
Karen B. on 19 Jul 2007 at 4:31 pm #
Brave soul! You shall be rewarded, I have no doubt. From what you tell me, I think you’re wise to Quincy-proof this project given his propensity for fiber munching - despite his super-cuteness in the carrier!
Jane on 19 Jul 2007 at 5:26 pm #
You have real stamina to rip out mohair! I have very little of the stuff in my stash and it just stays there untouched because I fear to make a mistake and have to rip it out again. Still, the shawl is looking beautiful and I know it will be worth the effort. You definately deserve chcolate!
Pennie Rayfield on 20 Jul 2007 at 2:49 am #
Beautiful blog . . . love lace
I hand dye lace yarn, visit my store at http://www.extremeyarn.etsy.com
I also dye special requests.
Dee on 20 Jul 2007 at 3:29 am #
Owwwwww — the position Quicy lays in makes my back hurt just lookin’ at it!!!!
textillian on 20 Jul 2007 at 3:36 am #
I feel your pain. I seem to be doing more ripping than knitting, lately. I think part of the problem is that your are knitting something with moth in the name. Think about it!
Glad you are back on track.
Robbyn on 20 Jul 2007 at 4:03 am #
Oh Lord, mohair is *such* a trial to frog. I commend your courage and persistence though - forward! I remember attemtping to frog a few rounds of Madil Kid Seta some time back. Just as you said - *much* cussing, though I don’t remember chocolate. Something I’ll have to bear in mind for the next time :)
That Quincy is a hot ticket :)
Meredith on 20 Jul 2007 at 4:09 am #
Good work on the Luna Moth…I hope the remainder of the work on it goes smoothly! Quincy, Quincy, Quincy…yarn snob and narcoleptic.
I have FINISHED the pink thing and will block it this weekend. I spent last night looking through books and stash to try to determine my next shawl project. Still undecided, so I knit a finger on a glove and several inches on a sweater.
huggggggggggssssss to all
mm
margene on 20 Jul 2007 at 6:11 am #
Good for you…it’s always hard to face the truth but so worth doing. Your cat is a hoot!
lobstah on 20 Jul 2007 at 10:11 am #
Ugh, I think that made me physically ill to think of trying to rip all that mohair in humid weather. The chocolate sounds good though.
My parent’s cat must not be too smart because even though he’s been to the vet numerous times, he still runs into the carrier as soon as he sees it. Either that or he’s trying to tell them something!
fleegle on 20 Jul 2007 at 11:04 am #
I am so sorry…your MS3 might make up for the pain. Hope so!
Aim on 21 Jul 2007 at 3:48 am #
Your Quincy is too hilarious! Looks really comfy in that odd position :) Your stole is going to be worth all that effort to make it right, that looks like a fluffy cloud of softness–lucky, lucky recipient!
Dipsy D. on 21 Jul 2007 at 9:33 pm #
Ohhh, I *so* hear you! Ripping mohair is the worst nightmare ever - at least for me - actually this is the reason why I haven’t worked with mohair for quite a while. The last time I did (and of course had to rip and tink like mad) I got quite some hysterical fits and have been very close to just kickin’ everything off in the trash! Yay for your perseverance and determination, and all the cussin’ that you had to go through is certainly worth it! ;)
Quincy is so hilarious - I often wonder how in all the world certain sleeping positions of cats can be comfortable at all ;)))
Peggy on 23 Jul 2007 at 3:14 am #
Oh, the pain the disappointment, frustration and disappointment of the frog pond. It always makes me feel like such an ignoramus!
I am glad you did not give up on this. It is going to be lovely when complete.