Knitting…Unknitting…Reknitting

It has been a while since I updated you concerning my adventures with yarn and knitting. I have a project, but my progress at the moment is mostly in the negative direction.

I am knitting a V-neck mohair pullover, from the pattern “Cumulus Blouse” by PetitKnits. I am using two lace-weight mohairs held together — Mod Yarns Loopy de Loop and ArtYarns Silk Mohair. I’ve dubbed the project “Lavender Clouds” on my Ravelry Page.

It is a rather fun and simple knit. I didn’t have any trouble with the directions, or at least I didn’t believe I did when I started. I had, in fact, made a critical error which, which I compounded later due to simple lack of attention on my part. I might claim extenuating circumstances as it has not been the easiest of autumns, but that is just a copout.

Anyway, I struggled at the beginning of the sweater, not because the instructions were difficult but because I didn’t like making the increases using these two fine yarns with my relatively blunt KnitPro needles. I have Signature needles, which have pretty sharp tips, but couldn’t find the right size in my needle storage case, which means they are probably tied up in another project. (or at least I hope that is the case). So I soldiered on, but I really hated making the increases, enough so that I apparently skipped quite a few.

I did order some Hiya Hiya needles in the appropriate size, but by the time they arrived I was pretty much done with the increases. or so I thought. Did I try on the sweater to check? No.

Foolishly, I did not try on the sweater until I was fairly well along in the body length, and I was checking to see how much further I should have knit. As you can see, I have an asymmetrical v-neck, and a funny bulge over the right breast where the shoulder-shaping is badly misplaced. I like the idea of an asymmetrical neckline, but I don’t need room for a third breast.

I did finally admit to myself that I had known the sweater was wrong all along, but I was just pretending not to know, because I wanted to knit and not think. Always dangerous territory that. You would think I would know better by now, but the human capacity for self deception seems to be quite high. Or at least my capacity for such is pretty high if it means continuing along with something I enjoy as opposed to facing something I’d rather avoid.

I took the project with me to Chicago, where I ripped it all out and started over.

Luckily I started with sharp-tipped knitting needles on the second go-round, and therefore I have not struggled with the increases. I am also paying more attention. I have no excuse for that, am merely happy that my brain has returned to the fold after its brief wander.

This time around the sweater is progressing exactly as it should, and I am trying it on as I go. I have one more round of increases before I join the yoke and begin working in the round. I could stop here, but after fiddling with the sweater on my shoulders a bit, I do think I want just that little bit of extra depth at the v-neckline..

Anyway, I am really enjoying knitting this. It could have been done by now if I didn’t mess up. But I’d much rather rip and reknit than waste my time on something doomed to be a failure. The ArtYarns mohair is really nice; the quality of the Loopy de loop not nearly as fine, but I do love the fabric that the two yarns are making.

I feel like feel like I am making faster progress; perhaps I am just making happier progress. I am not knitting much, so I am not whipping this out. There are too many other distractions. It will be done in plenty of time to wear it this winter, especially given that winter really hasn’t even settled in yet. It has never been about speed for me anyway. Eventually I will have the sweater I want, and I will have enjoyed the process of creating it.