Am I NUTS???

catcook · 10-15-2008, 02:06 PM

Heres the deal, I started a scarf for my daughter for Christmas, it was a pattern she picked out with a leaf pattern. This thing has given me trouble through out I would take out put together take out repeat repeat.

.....So after working on this one item the last month I could at last finish it today, I looked at it and hated it! I don't like the pattern, my knitting is sloppy and I feel this yarn a wool/silk is too expensive to turn out a product like this. SOOOOOO I think I am going to tear the whole thing out! I think I'm tramatized by the decision but just cant give something like this away. Has anyone experience anything like this? Can you think of a nice easy pattern for a scarf that would look pretty in olive green wool/silk blend? Am I nuts to do this???

RuthieinMaryland · 10-15-2008, 07:40 PM

No, you're NOT nuts! You're a textile artist, and as such you're not going to be happy giving something that not only doesn't meet your standards, but falls way below them. And THAT is your right as the creator!

You wouldn't send your kids to school looking like they'd been in a mud fight, would you? (Grin!) Same principle!

Go for it!

Ruthie

Jan in CA · 10-15-2008, 07:56 PM

A lacy pattern benefits greatly from being blocked. You might try that first.

Next time use a lifeline and it'll help so you don't have to rip out everything when you make a mistake.

auburnchick · 10-15-2008, 08:38 PM

I don't think you're crazy. Rip it if you won't be happy giving it away. But do consider blocking it. You never know...blocking really does help projects look so much better.

Perhaps you could find an easier project that won't be as time-consuming as a gift for her. I'm sure she'll love whatever you decide on.

beldaraan · 10-15-2008, 08:38 PM

I could have sworn that Ingrid had made a beautiful lace shawl or scarf that she showed pictures of before and after blocking. I couldn't find it, but she does have a thread dedicated to blocking with pictures here.

There is a nice thread here by auburnchick that shows what a lace scarf looks like before blocking and after.

There is also the Branching Out kal that is of a lace scarf that seems quite popular. I didn't look through the whole thread, but you will find pictures and ideas in there as well.

No, you're not nuts!!!

luvmykid28 · 10-15-2008, 09:30 PM

Brilliant...Jan thanks for suggesting the lifeline. I have been having the same problem as Catcook with some of my knitting. I will start using a lifeline from now on.

Sorry Catcook for your frustration, but your post taught me something. Good luck with your scarf.

marlajap · 10-15-2008, 10:53 PM

It's true, lacy stuff does look better after blocking:

Before and after:

And that was sort of my own design (based on the leaf lace stitch used in the Foliage hat, here: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTfoliage.html. My only prior experiences with lace were two pairs of (identical) lacy socks in a *really* simple lace (this one is pretty simple, too).

threesmom · 10-16-2008, 02:58 AM

I don't think you're crazy - I've frogged things because I wasn't happy about how it turned out... I just waited until I wanted to use the yarn again to ease the pain of ripping out something I just worked so hard on

That being said, I would definitely block it - you can always tear it out after that if it still doesn't look right.

Also, how does your daughter like it? I think we're often more critical of our own work than is necessary - you might not like the pattern, yarn, or just the frustrating experience, and that might be shading how you're seeing the finished product.

And if you do tear it out, have a cry, then be happy it's all over

Maybe you can try one of these patterns

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...tego-bay-scarf

http://www.knittingpen.com/wp-conten...8/08/latte.pdf

http://www.sweetpaprikadesigns.com/windermere.html

And there are a ton here - you should be able to find something!

catcook · 10-16-2008, 03:16 PM

Thank you so much for the support, after tearing out about 50 rows I came back here a read what was written, as a result I stopped and blocked the project even though it isn't a lace pattern it really looked different, I haven't knitted enough to make anything that really needed blocking I can't say I'm still that enthused with it but I think I will wait and show it to my daughter this weekend and see what she thinks. I'm so impressed with the lace work you ladies do! Beautiful scarves! Thanks to all for the advice and encouragement.

Knitting_Guy · 10-17-2008, 03:58 AM

If you're not happy with it, frog it. An artist should be happy with his/her work.