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Showing posts with label ripping out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ripping out. Show all posts

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Day 54 - Why are my posts taking weeks to show up??????

Oh, the joys of technology! I have no idea why my posts are appearing three weeks after I write them but it certainly makes my reading them more fun!

Yesterday, I attempted to discover where I'd left off on Meag's spring sweater but I am not really good at finding the needle in a haystack. I may have to frog it and begin again. I hate to do it as it's a really long cast on, but I'm only 1 1/2" into it so maybe it's better to count my losses now. I really need to find time for that "happy place." These days, work and life have been trying my patience and we'd all benefit from Mom finding a little time for peace!

On a totally different note, I have begun to allow myself time to write again. I have been working on finishing up 5 songs and have recorded the first two. I've been away from the performance aspect of my craft for far too long and this has really been motivating and inspiring! I've shared some of my pieces with some experts and some other trained musician. All seem to like what I've produced and I've gotten some really great constructive critiques which have allowed me to improve some things. I guess the real test is the family and friends I've shared them with. After all they are a more realistic sample of a potential audience. As hard as that's been, they've all loved it! Such a scary ledge to jump from but it's getting easier each time.

I've had some interesting doors open lately and if I can just get through the next 6 weeks with grace, who knows what next year will bring. I do know that it will be different in many ways and I can't wait!

Okay, off to rip it, rip it, rip it!!!!!!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Day 5 (PM) Long, productive day

Well, today was another success! I am already feeling tired though so I thought I'd blog a little early and turn off this over worked laptop.

Today, I finished the dress for Lily. I am sitting here looking at it and cannot wait to see it on her. Cindy is such an earth-crunchy friend and the color and fabric are so fitting for her daughter. I can't believe that I've waited so long to finish this! It's so cute, it almost makes me want to have more babies, just to knit them cute little clothes! But alas, those days are dead and gone.

So I made up my mind today to get more organized in the knitting. I decided to take pictures of projects and of yarn in my stash and log it on Ravelry. I also made up my mind that I must put off getting back on track with Nanny's sweater. This was such a wonderful gift from Nanny and I owe it to her to get it finished and wear it in her honor.

So, after many hours of cleaning my office/stash, I took the plunge and ripped out both sleeves! I had screwed them up long ago and want this to be perfect. I have successfully ripped them out and re-wound the skeins. Amazingly, I do not feel the guilt, loss or regret I thought I would be wrought with! I instead, feel light a weight has been lifted. I feel empowered! I feel strong. I love that.

Lesson: Sometimes we must face our emotions head on. Facing them with honesty and courage can open up new doors! We can only see what we're made of when we trust ourselves to reach our own expectations!

Anyway, tonight, I've casted on both sleeves on one circular needle and am back in business. I should set a goal for myself as to a finish date, but I think I will just enjoy the process!

Day 5 (AM)

Well, I've already finished another project today. I finished the dress I was making for Cindy's baby. It took me 5 months of so to ask for help on the top edge. Lesson: Ask for help when you discover you need it...don't wait!

I woke up this morning wanting it done. I wove in the 14 ends and then proceeded to hem the 40 inches of the bottom of the dress! Lessons: 1. Learn how to pick up the picot edge whilst knitting the garment. 2. hemming in such a way that the stitches are hidden is a very rewarding feeling.

This goes back to the adage that a job well done is worth doing! I was really pretty happy with the fact that I could do this successfully. Having completed this though brings me one step closer to that sweater project that I promised myself I'd finish before Thanksgiving. I did not. This sweater is a blessing and a painful remembrance and so I shouldn't be surprised that I have been avoiding it. Technically, I knitted the sleeves one at a time and made a mistake in the wrist of one. The result, they are two different sizes. I've agonized over my next steps for over a year as that's how long it's been sitting there unfinished.

I guess that leaves me only one real option: I must rip both sleeves out and begin them again. Today I will do just that, rip them out. Maybe then I can come to grips with the fact that Nanny always made me feel like giving anything less than 100% was letting myself down. I really miss her and her inspiration. I need to finish this project and so today I will begin that journey.