Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Project loyalty at stake

By now I know what to expect in October. Rain, cold winds, shorter days and longer nights. Possibly the first snow that very seldom stays. Frost and slippery roads. Vivid colours will fade away. No green, no yellow, no red, but blue and grey. Luckily there is this one spot of colour to focus on...Today I completed the body of Nocturne but it did not last for long, I had to rip back more than 5 inches. A bit frustrating. So far I have enjoyed the process while reading and watching movies but today after ripping back, the enjoyment vanished and there was just exhaustion. I put down the knitting, went outside to do some compulsory work (piling firewood) in preparation of winter thinking that I need to take a break from all this stitch-business for a day. The left wrist did not feel that good either and could use a day's rest too. Before going out I wrote into my note book where I write down project notes and collect all kinds of inspirational bits that I mean to say loyal to this project no matter what...

Before coming in, I went to collect the mail. And there was this treasure... out of the blue (of October).Do you remember what happened to Yarn Harlot when she set her eyes on this little cardigan...

This little beauty is called Tulips and it has colours and it is knit top down and it is so small that it really won't take long... If I knit this now and then continue with Nocture, it is still loyalty, isn't it?

22 comments:

  1. Absolutely that is loyalty. If you complete a project while "on a break" you are not cheating at all!

    When you rip back, do you let that yarn rest/retract or do you work in a new skein? A friend has let me know that yarn stretches during the knit/rip process and needs some drastic recovery time before being used again. I found this to be true when I ripped back and then reknit a couple rows on a little baby sweater - there was about 6" extra of the yarn previously used.

    DHall

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  2. Yes, yes! Knit the little sweater. You will return refreshed and happy to your Nocturne.

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  3. My mother said "A change is as good as a rest." You'll have renewed energy for Nocturne after you have some fun with Tulip.

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  4. Anonymous20:01

    Of course that isn't disloyalty! After knitting up the little rainbow, you'll come back to the Nocturne and appreciate the subtle colors. Actually, I think you'll be more loyal to the large sweater once the little, wee one is out of the way. Just think how warm and welcome the little one will feel wrapped in those glowing colors.

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  5. It's a slippery slope....But I understand that the baby jacket is so much fun to knit and so bright that it will be a refreshing change. I love the colors you are using for nocturne.

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  6. Yep! Little joyful sweaters do not count as cheating on bigger projects. Now another big project... that's another thing.

    Enjoy!!!!

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  7. Oh yes, you definitely need a little Tulip refreshment. Nocturne is deep and slow and long, but tulips are short-lived and bright and happy. They'll offset each other very nicely.

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  8. Anonymous21:27

    Your dog is beautiful. What kind is it? And no, you should never feel guilty about doing a quick "pick-me-up" project when you have become frustrated with a current one. You have to keep smiling.

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  9. I think Tulip would be a very nice break and it is not being disloyal! Sometimes you need to give the project a break too and it benefits from resting for a bit.

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  10. Anonymous23:55

    It is growing dark and grey in Seattle too, and that can only mean one thing - color desperation! I think it's a medical necessity, not disloyalty!

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  11. Anonymous00:52

    Please, please keep painting pictures with your words - pictures of grey skies, rain, frost, creatures readying for the winter. It's still in the 90's here and I need to escape to the cool of your world!

    And yes, go ahead with the little treasure . . .

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  12. Oh Lene, thank you so much! I was trying to remember the name of this exquisite little baby jacket and I couldn't. And then you posted! That has to be more than coincidence. I really really want to make this for a shortly-to-arrive, long-awaited new baby friend. Off to order...

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  13. Anonymous01:11

    As long as you didn't add the word "exclusive" to your note book, a little excursion into color can't do anything but raise your spirits. I agree this is medically indicated to balance the October blues. Have fun!

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  14. Anonymous01:38

    I agree. Knit the little sweater. It is so cute and its colours will lift your spirits and refresh your enthusiasm for the big project.

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  15. Anonymous02:48

    The question is: "Can you stop at just one?"

    It looks like the colors that you have are different from those shown on the pattern.

    Just for a bit of weather contrast: Here in Maryland, we are still wearing shorts! It gets dark around 7PM. But, the days of wearing shorts are numbered. By the 31st, it will be cool.
    Margie

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  16. Anonymous03:11

    Oops. As I was reading and slowly scrolling down the page, I thought that 3rd picture was a caterpillar.
    That teeny little sweater will take you no time at all! Just a quick little change of scenery.

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  17. Good luck knitting just one Tulip. I have knitted three now, and have just figured out the measurements to knit one for a 3-year-old who admired her baby sister's.

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  18. Oh definitely! and thank you so very much for the photo of the yarn, it is truly gorgeous!
    As is Tina!

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  19. Anonymous17:14

    I think you must knit that little cute one as a break from the bigger project. Think of it as a holiday romance.

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  20. Tulips belie Spring as Color belies Spectrum... Yes! Knit Tulip and then Nocturne will ring true.

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  21. Oh, the twisting of logic. But yes, think of it as a palate cleanser. You'll be so refreshed that Nocture will flow out of your hands.

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  22. Anonymous01:30

    I think you can be loyal to more than one thing at a time! So, taking a brief change wouldn't count in a negative way! Just all the positive ways as listed above.

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