Remember ages ago (back when I actually had the nerve to install a “meter” to keep track of my knitting progress! HA!) when I started to knit a Clapotis (I called it Cleo because I was so tired of looking up how to spell Clapotis, and mentally saying Cleopatra)?
Remember how afraid I was at dropping the first stitch?
(Don’t get too excited; there will be no completed Clapotis photos in this blog post.)
I know, it’s been a while, so here’s a refresher shot:
I pulled Cleo out again a couple of weeks ago and have been trying to work diligently to get her finished (so I can get another one on the needles as a gift for a friend we’re going to visit in the South of France). It was going smashingly. I finally finished the last repeat (as far as I could tell anyway) for the “middle” and was SO EXCITED to start the decreases for the end of the shawl. See the corner at the upper left end?! Just a smallish triangle left…
And then I realized I was so excited about finishing the darned thing and so focused on the double decreases, that I.FORGOT.TO.DROP.STITCHES! Notice the nice, rhythmic pattern to the drop stitches (the parts where the yarn makes ladders diagonally across the scarf)? Notice how they’re missing from the last 3-4 inches of the shawl?!
I was so annoyed when I saw that, that I put it away for a couple of days. Mostly because I hadn’t a flipping clue how to fix it, other than ripping back to where the dropped stitches should be. I hate ripping. To the point that I wondered if I could make it into a bandana instead.
But then in a moment of clarity, I realized how to fix it.
Unfortunately I didn’t do it DURING the moment of clarity (and actually couldn’t remember what I was thinking, much like when you have a dream and it’s SO clear and makes SO much sense, until you’re actually awake and you wonder what you were thinking) but instead waited until this evening.
And totally flucked it up. I can’t even take a photo of it because I’m so annoyed with myself.
So if I don’t encounter another moment of clarity, I’ll be ripping back about 12 rows (which could be beyond my skill set because it is knit on the diagonal, meaning there are decreases and increases on the ends and I’m not sure how to deal with those).
Or I may just see how it looks as a bandana. It would be cute, no?
June 26, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Oh no! This just hurts. I have been there too, believe me. Good luck frogging!
June 26, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Oh no, what a shame. I hope you find some way to fix it Frank. So depressing to have to unpick work….;-(
June 27, 2009 at 4:56 am
But on a happier note, your yarn choice is beautiful. I know you’ll get that clarity back too, just wait and see!
June 27, 2009 at 7:05 am
Man, that sucks.
June 27, 2009 at 7:52 am
I’m at the double decrease stage of my clapotis right now, thanks, for the warning! Will be very aware now to avoid your mistake.
btw, I tell everyone a great knitter makes no less mistakes than the novice.
June 27, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I tried to knit a clapotis out of the *exact* same yarn. I got about 1/3 of the way through and then stopped. BUT, now you’ve inspired me to pick up my needles again
June 28, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Have you tried looking on Ravelry (I’m sure there are about 10 Clapotis groups) and posting on their forums to see if anyone has any advice? Maybe they know something that could help….