Lately, I’ve been working a lot on my Rocky Coast Cardigan. As I was uploading the pictures I took of the sweater, it was then that I realized I made a mistake in the cabling many, many rows ago. My heart sank. The last time I shared this project with you, I explained how I had to rip back about four inches of cables and how I chose to be happy that I learned how to rip back and pick up my stitches successfully. But this time, I’m not so grateful or graceful. For starters, this is more that twice as much progress. Plus I was so happy with progress I was making and the look and feel and fit of the sweater in general. It’s quite a high to fall from.
But before I make any decisions regarding the body, I’m going to do the arms. After I complete them (and have a chance to cool off a bit), I’ll decide if I will rip back or learn to live with the pattern flaw. (The row with the mistake is at the very top of the photo below. So you can see my heartbreak.)
In reading news, my book pile is large. I was in the middle of a book on Icelandic Folk and Fairy Tales
Stitch Rabbit’s recent posts on dyeing fabric reminded me that I always wanted to experiment with natural, homemade plant dyes so I borrowed The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes
Also in the stack is Knits at Home
What have YOU been knitting or reading?
If you’d like, you can share what you’re knitting and reading every Wednesday with Yarn Along over at Small Things.
PS: I’m planning a yarn giveaway for Monday!
February 27, 2013 at 9:33 AM
i have been keeping a list of books i am reading or want to read on Goodreads and you can put a widget on your page to show your progress and share it easily with everyone :) I thought of you when I first started putting mine together! I like to keep my wishlist of books there too :)
February 27, 2013 at 9:50 AM
your cardigan is unbelievable. i completely understand the frustration in finding mistakes a ways back. it makes me not want to work on my project for a while. but regardless, the product is beautiful. i just learned how to cable knit a few weeks ago and i’ve been loving it. I may have to give that Invisible Partners a look- I’m currently in the middle of writing a paper on Jungian theory haha. Thanks for sharing!
February 27, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Your sweater looks beautiful. I hope it is smooth sailing from here on.
February 27, 2013 at 10:50 AM
Maybe your error in the pattern could be a design element? How does it look in the front? Could it just be a nice accent to the bustline of the sweater? Just a thought…
February 27, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Oh that is so incredibly frustrating! I loathe picking stitches and being an anti-perfectionist would leave it.
February 27, 2013 at 10:26 PM
oh dear, that is distressing. i’ve had the same thing happen, it is a heart sinking feeling. i am not good at giving knits a time out or living with mistakes (i wish i could!), but it really helps to know yourself. love your stack of books.
February 27, 2013 at 11:01 PM
I feel your pain – I have been there before. But honestly? It took me a really long time to find the mistake – it’s not super noticeable and I think you’d be okay leaving it. It’s really a stunning cardigan! Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
February 28, 2013 at 4:02 AM
I’m not sure I ever found the mistake!! I’m generally of the ‘leave it’ in variety. Perhaps it’s laziness, but I also feel like it represents people and life in general…there’s some bumps along the way. :)
I’d love to hear what you think about the Invisible Partners book when you’ve finished it.
February 28, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Love the sweater…it’s going to be so pretty!
~Have a lovely day!
February 28, 2013 at 12:55 PM
You’ve made so much progress on it! It looks gorgeous! I think I might see the mistake but maybe you could ignore it and pretend it’s just part of the design? All that ripping back would be so sad :( and I agree with what Donna said, I like to leave it in, it’s part of the journey of your piece ;)
February 28, 2013 at 4:55 PM
I’m with those that say leave it there! I know from experience that sinking, oh no, feeling. Your sweater is so gorgeous, tho, I wonder if anyone but you would see the problem? Just thinkin’…..
February 28, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Honestly I like the mistake and where it’s placed. Maybe do the same on the sleeves in the same place, and call it a design element.
March 13, 2013 at 8:32 PM
I’m finally getting caught up on reading – love all your posts! And I remember taking out Don’t Throw It, Grow It! from the library a couple summers back and absolutely LOVED it! I’m sure you will, too! :) Your Rocky cardigan is looking fabulous! It fits you so nicely and I don’t think the “mess up” is that horrible. If anything, I think it gives it nice distinction. And I really like spinsane’s comment about mirroring it on the sleeves in the same place. Can’t wait to see what you do with it :)