I'm not going to do it, but I feel like it . . . .

[lifetapestry]

Killing myself over a knitting project is really way more dramatic than I like to be, BUT I am SO upset. I'm working on a pair of soaker pants for Noah that I designed as a "apple" theme, with a leaves, stem, and apple applique and some other cute stuff. I've mixed and matched pattern directions, and did Pam's crotch shaping directions from her Wooly Wonder pattern (hi Pam, if you're reading this-- please don't take this personally, you know I love ya and your stuff). . . .

I just cast off the stitches for the first leg onto 12" circulars and the crotch shaping is on the outside of the leg!!! And I can't figure out what the hell I did, as I followed the instructions exactly. I'm sure it's my screw up, but I don't even understand what I did wrong!

And can I just say that I suck at ripping out stitches and always end up with a mess. I already ripped out the short rows I put in and have a couple of rows of twisted up crap for stitches (though the applique covers part of it and I think I can doctor it up the rest so it will look decent). That mess was created because I screwed up Theresa's instructions for short rows, somehow.

See a pattern here? Moronic knitter can't follow a pattern, no pun intended.

Drama over. Hug me, please.

Karla

[pamelamama]

:hug

:kiss

Can I help? You wanna mail it to me? Show me a pic? Anything??

[pamelamama]

OH, and WELCOME BACK!!! :mwah

[Arwyn]

I have absolutely no advice nor experience to offer, but here's what I can give. :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug :hug

[CraftyMommaOf2]

:hug !!! I think you did what I almost did. I wanted to try Pam's crotch *oh my! :lookroun: * and I almost went to the wrong marker to start the crotch. I caught myself at the last second. That sucks, mama! I'm so sorry. I hate frustrating things like that :irked More :hug for you!

[pageta]

I so totally feel your pain. The last pair of Pam's soaker shorts that I made, I did the legs on dpns because my yarn was in a ball so I only had one strand of yarn (vs. the Magic Loop). I did one leg, and the other, I swear I ripped it out three times because it just did not come out right. Ripping is the pits, but it was just so ugly compared to the other leg, and they needed to be similar, you know? I would work on them, then set them aside (I call it RIP [Rest in Peace}) for a few days, then I would rip them out...over and over again. I got the yarn from a place that didn't wind it from the hank into a nice ball for me, and needless to say, I won't be ordering from there anytime soon. My LYS has spoiled me by winding the yarn for me every time I buy something. I just so feel your pain. I used to have this thing about only having one project going at a time...something about finishing something that I've started. However, I must confess, I now have three projects on my needles because I need another project to work on when one hits a roadblock.

[ravingcutie]

Oh you poor thing! :grouphug You can do it! I agree with the RIP treatment for a few days. It'll help you get your perspective back & maybe a few ideas! An apple themed soaker would be soo cute! Sending :inthecup your way - just because I love coffee & it makes me happy; I hope it cheers you up a bit.

[lifetapestry]

Thanks, everyone-- I feel much better this morning. Pam: I emailed you because I figured out part of my problem but am confused about something in the directions, even though I know exactly how to fix it.

Tana-- I see your point about having more than one project going. I'm definately going to implement that ASAP.

I did pull out my "bible" (Knitting for Dummies) and have followed their excellent instructions for ripping out rows, and I'm halfway done putting it back on the needles and I've survived through it. So this was just the experience I needed to learn how to rip stuff out without getting the stitched all screwy.

Karla

[mamapez]

I did pull out my "bible" (Knitting for Dummies) and have followed their excellent instructions for ripping out rows, and I'm halfway done putting it back on the needles and I've survived through it. So this was just the experience I needed to learn how to rip stuff out without getting the stitched all screwy.
Karla

I am sorry you ran into this. I know I would be heartbroken. I, too, use the RIP method for getting back to projects that are kicking my butt. However, my "bible" is the Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting and it only says, rip out rows if you have to. It even tells me about the frogging term. Does it tell me how to get the knitting back on the needles once I've done that? NO! I haven't figured it out without getting twisted stitches (my tart hat has a twisted stitch in the ribbing because I couldn't figure it out). Arrgghhh! I'm glad to see your book has it. I'm going to check that out.

[pageta]

Speaking of twists sts, it was because of my ripping experience that I finally figured them out. So ripping can be very constructive activity...

[pamelamama]

So, Karla? Report? See my stitch markers in the gallery?

xoxo pam

[lifetapestry]

Hey Pam,


thanks for asking. I woke up in the middle of the night and realized that what I'd done (the second screw up) was not misplaced the crotch shaping (first time I reversed it, so it was at the outside of the legs), but that I'd stupidly cast off stitches for the first leg from hip to hip, rather than front to back. So all I needed to do was put the stitches back on the needle and then cast off properly. I feel like such a class A idiot, but at least I figured it out eventually. I'm now well down the first leg (about 5") and I expect to get more done tonight because I have a 2+ hour meeting to go to. To inspire myself, I sewed on the appliques and pocket that I'd made to go on the front. They look pretty cute. I can't wait to finish them and show them off.

Karla

edited to say, yes, I saw the stitch markers-- very cute. I have lovely stitch markers-- there's a seller on ebay, seahorse designs, who makes very reasonably priced and lovely markers-- I use a different color for the various ones. However, I really like the idea of having them marked A, B,C, and D and I'd buy a set if offered in your store.

[ravingcutie]

People learn by doing, & correcting their mistakes. You're not an idiot, you're educated