One sleeve done, two to go.
I finished the first sleeve last night and I was so excited because I was determined to have the Elaine striped sweater finished this month. But it was one of those crazy days where I was constantly starting something, getting interrupted, getting back to it and forgetting where I was, getting interrupted again…….
By the time I got around to wet-blocking the sleeve it was getting late and I was in a bit of a hurry. I thought I would spin the wet sleeve out in the washing machine. I've done this many times before without a problem.
But this time I didn't check the spin speed before I started the machine. What went in as a soft, waterlogged, floppy piece of wool came out about half-sized, firm and thick and very nicely felted. If it weren't so small it would make a lovely sleeve-shaped rug. Pre-felting the sleeve was about 25 inches long. Now it is almost 15. I didn't even know I could felt something with just the spin cycle. I'm not sure what I will do with this yet, but I will save it. I'm sure I can make something useful out of it that will always make me smile.
Before this, I wondered what I would do with all the extra yarn I thought I had. Now I wonder if I have enough to knit two more sleeves. I think I have enough of the Elaine, the multicolored yarn. I probably don't have enough Manos. I am hoping to have enough Manos to get through the sleeve and then have to buy another skein for the front bands.
I have no one to blame for all the problems with this sweater but myself, for silliness, and self-delusion, and just plain old inattention. It is kind of amazing that so many things can go wrong with one sweater. But I am determined it won't get the best of me.
I wonder if I can knit two sleeves in one week and still get the sweater finished. I wonder if I want to knit two sleeves in one week. No I know the answer to that; there are other things I want to be doing. I won't let this sweater defeat me, but I won't let it run my life either.
Comments
18 responses to “If it weren’t so funny I think I’d cry”
Oh no! But you are right, you just have to laugh. I wish you speedy knitting!
Oh no! But you are right, you just have to laugh. I wish you speedy knitting!
It is a very nice piece of felted wool though! I am sure you will find a good use for it!
It is a very nice piece of felted wool though! I am sure you will find a good use for it!
Oh, I feel your pain. That must have been a bad moment of realization. But you have learned something. And you will have a great sweater eventually – one which you can tell everyone was the hugest undertaking ever 🙂
Oh, I feel your pain. That must have been a bad moment of realization. But you have learned something. And you will have a great sweater eventually – one which you can tell everyone was the hugest undertaking ever 🙂
I have to admit, it would take me a while to get to laughter on that one, and I might just throw in the towel! My sympathies!
I have to admit, it would take me a while to get to laughter on that one, and I might just throw in the towel! My sympathies!
I always knew I didn’t have a corner on the “3 sleeves” problem, but I’m sorry that you had to join me there. I’ll take this as a warning about spin cycles, and be more cautious about spinning woolens dry.
As to your pretty little felted sleeve, I can on say: “What a nice potholder!”
I always knew I didn’t have a corner on the “3 sleeves” problem, but I’m sorry that you had to join me there. I’ll take this as a warning about spin cycles, and be more cautious about spinning woolens dry.
As to your pretty little felted sleeve, I can on say: “What a nice potholder!”
‘scuse me, that’s “only”, not on.
‘scuse me, that’s “only”, not on.
Ouch! That smarts. I would definitely not be laughing or finding it funny, this soon. I’m sincerely hoping you have enough to do the 2nd and 3rd sleeves.
Ouch! That smarts. I would definitely not be laughing or finding it funny, this soon. I’m sincerely hoping you have enough to do the 2nd and 3rd sleeves.
That’s terrible! Fingers crossed that the Manos holds out. I’m rooting for a good finish on this one.
That’s terrible! Fingers crossed that the Manos holds out. I’m rooting for a good finish on this one.
How heartbreaking! I believe you are taking the right approach to move forward at a reasonable pace rather than rushing to finish by a deadline you set for yourself. The goal is to make steady progress and to enjoy it along the way, right? I’m so glad you can chuckle at yourself.
How heartbreaking! I believe you are taking the right approach to move forward at a reasonable pace rather than rushing to finish by a deadline you set for yourself. The goal is to make steady progress and to enjoy it along the way, right? I’m so glad you can chuckle at yourself.