I am April’s fool

Published on Sunday April 1st, 2007

Oh fie, oh spite! I was dividing up the stitches for the arm and body of Rorschach’s right half last night when I realized the numbers weren’t coming out aright. I spread it against the left half and was dismayed to find the body a good two inches shorter. Much invective-laced counting ensued. Could my gauge have changed? Nay, my haphazard notes were to blame. I had jotted on a crinkled scrap of paper, “CO sts for M size.” However, EZ does not label her sizes S-M-L. She gives them in inches, sensible woman. And when I cast on for the second half, I used the stitch counts for the 38″ size rather than the 40″ size I’d followed for the first half. (I’d correctly worked the width for the 36″ sweater on both halves, in case you’re ever trying to recreate my dimensions.)

There’s nothing for it but to frog Half the Second. While there’s a sting in undoing so much work, my real concern is for the Unspun Icelandic to survive the experience. It’s delicate at best, and I’m going to have to unknit and wind up my two little mare’s-tail strands with great care if they’re to survive being knit a second time. Also, I want to have this sweater finished for my trip to New York at the end of the month, in case it should still be wintry there. The good news? It’s the second week of Spring Break and I’m working at my little elementary school every day, but it should be very quiet. If I get the best of some long-term projects, there should be a bit of time for knitting.

Wednesday afternoon begins a new seminar at the university on art & religion; I’ll now have Tuesdays and Thursdays free for my other work and for knitting and pattern drafting. Huzzah for the spring term!

8 Comments to “I am April’s fool”

  1. loribird Comment Says:

    Oh dear. Hope the icelandic holds up… good luck!

  2. Brenda Comment Says:

    Haphazard notes (or in my case an idiotic belief that I will remember) are the bane of many a knitter. I hope your Icelandic wool survives! The first half of Rorschach is so striking, it must get a second half. Enjoy your spring break!

  3. stacey Comment Says:

    oh no! hopefully a careful ripping will preserve the yarn!

  4. MeBeth Comment Says:

    Oh no! Best wishes in the unwinding process, I hope the yarn holds up.

  5. Veronique Comment Says:

    Ack! Fingers crossed on the single ply wool unraveling…

  6. tiennie Comment Says:

    Oh no! Hope it comes out OK.

    Yay for more knitting time!

  7. mamie Comment Says:

    oh dear, nothing like having to rip it out, eh? i like your style though, dwelling on the extra knitting time you do have. i just finished my first tomten aka EZ (to be posted soon) and i did read it incorretly in knitting workshop…resulting in a slightly off, but possubly usable jacket. ahhh, the joys of learning, it never ends. enjoy your break. 🙂

  8. Debby Comment Says:

    Sorry to hear you have to do some ripping. Hopefully the Icelandic will survive and knit up very fast again.

    I love your new haircut!