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Tagsthings to avoid at all costs
Tonight’s very special episode of Pepperknit is brought to you by the House of Regret.
1. Do not, if you can help it, wind up a ball of yarn held double, knit up half the ball, then change your mind, frog the whole damn thing, and decide you now want a single-strand ball of yarn.
I didn’t take any pictures of the carnage that was the frogging, reassembling balls, then unwinding into two balls. But it was a nightmare. It didn’t help that I got the urge to frog the Cabled Bandeau at 11:30 a few nights ago, right before going to bed, and I did it while sitting in bed. Which meant that fifteen minutes later, when I realized this was a time-consuming endeavor best saved for another time, I couldn’t leave it. No! I had to resolve the mess of squiggly yarn that was smack-dab in the middle of my bed. I managed to corral it into four balls that I could place on the floor for a Time Out.
I finally had the energy to tackle the rest of it tonight. What once was the start of the Cabled Bandeau (above) now looks like this:
And I’m not sure what it’s going to be. But I’ve determined my gauge–and even washed the swatch! (it’s wet in this photo)–so I can pick from here.
2. Never, ever work the sewn bindoff and then realize something’s not right about the piece. Because picking out the sewn bindoff is an ordeal and a half.
This was that cursed sock from the spring, the one that killed my mojo for more than a month. I recently knit its mate, a fraternal twin, and decided this one needed more than just a new, looser cuff. Tomorrow I’ll get started on the identical twin to the single sock from Labor Day.
25 Responses to things to avoid at all costs
Well crapola, at that point I might have thrown them all away. It would give me an excuse to buy more yarn. Heh. So watcha gonna make with the pretty yarn that made you fight to get it back?
Unfortunately, I’ve already experienced number 1, and I feel your pain, :(.
Wise. Always hold your balls doubled rather than trying to double one ball.
HAAAAAAAAAAA!
If only Joce were here to be 12 with me.
Oh dear – number 2 for me. What a horrid experience.
I JUST did #1. Twice. Because apparently I thought the first time was a dream. Oh my gosh – you’re an experienced knitter and you did it, so okay, I can breathe and not feel too badly about it. Thanks for making me feel better. :)
Oof. Yeah, I’ve done 2. But with your wise counsel and a bit of luck perhaps I’ll avoid #1.
Oh, yarn! We cannot resist your siren call (picking out a tubular BO is awful too).
I can only imagine the scene, and shudder at the thought. I’ve done #2 a few times, tedious right?
Ouch!
oh gosh. what a mess! why do we knitters always decide to do stuff right before we go to bed????
I think I’ve spotted someone’s mojo!
Yeah, that descision making in bed thing happens to ma a lot as well.
Yep, I’ve done both.
I’m interested to see what you do with the bandeau yarn…
wow. so much frogging lately, huh? guess it’s that time of year.
and i second pam — dying to see what you do with the bandeau yarn!
you have tons of patience! I think I would have just thrown away the doubled yarn in frustration!
Yes, the sewn bind off is a pain in the ass to undo, but it’s so pretty!
I have done both, but found the second to be less excrutiating than the first. I ended up cutting off the top of the toe after realizing it was too short. It was cathartic in a way, but it made me a little less excited about socks…huh.
Ooh, I’ve done both those things. More than once. I don’t learn.
I’ve done #2 … major PITA, that.
So your yarn is in Time Out, too? I have found time-outs for yarn and projects to be approximately as effective as they are for my children. Which is to say, not very. Hope your yarn starts to behave!
The same thing happened to me this past weekend while I was knitting the meathead hat. Not a pretty sight and very frustrating. A lot of cursing and cutting was involved.
Yikes. I have so been there with #2 and it SUCKS!!
I recently had the pleasure of frogging a great deal of stranded colourwork which basically resulted in the same as frogging two strands of yarn held together. It was not pretty. (Fortunately for me I had resisted the urge to frog this piece at bedtime the night before, so at least I had a whole evening set aside for the untangling.)
As for the sewn bindoff – thanks for the warning. ;)
WORD on the sewn bindoff. People say it’s stretchy, but it’s all lies – I seemingly need to rework it every time because I sew too tightly.
Why no Cabled Bandeau? It was going to be part 2 (at least) of “Minty Makes Somewhat Questionable Knitting Patterns Look Hot,” wasn’t it? Clearly the universe didn’t want you to give up on it either.
I’ve had to pick out that sewn bind off before….definitley no fun.
First time here :) I really enjoy your blog!
Oh, how I can empathize. I just ripped out my sewn bind off for the Pretty Thing because it looks more like a floppy thing. I figure a couple more repeats otta do it. My clever hubster said, why don’t you put it on a string and then try it on before you bind it off. Ouch. Of course, love, I thought, but you are not taking into account the desire to see it in its finished state, to check it off of the christmas list and the denial that comes along with those primal needs. Other than that, a totally reasonable idea.
hope your twin sock goes well. I have definitely had a pair or two like that…. good on ya for ripping it out and doing it right!