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10.27.2003 :: The sweater that would never die...
Has anyone ever ripped out a fair-isle sweater knit from two-ply shetland wool?
I know that I could make a pillow out of this, but I'm not sure that I could stand to look at it. Ideas?
ok! Here is the scoop: I started this sweater somewhere around the year 1995(?). It's a pullover, so there are no steeks until the sleeve openings. I just reached the row before I make the neck steek and I've realized that for about 8 to 10 rows, I've been off-setting the pattern (perhaps I'm knitting too late at night!?). I had finally resolved that I was going to finish this sweater and I may have over-reacted to seeing such a big mistake.
While I wouldn't want to rip out the whole thing, one, because of the velcro-ness of the yarn and two, because there are at most only two rows without a color change - I think I would end up with approximately 300 individual strands of yarn!
Now that I'm thinking more clearly, I can probably try ripping back to the last row before the pattern started to mutate! Ten rows of ripping would be an excellent learning experience and if all goes well, I'll regroup and keep working on this as a sweater.
If I really mess things up, I think I'll do a mirror image of the ribbing at the bottom and make a big, scratchy pillow. This would make a wonderfully scratchy and scrumptious kitty bed.
Thanks for the feedback!
Posted by Mary on 10.27.2003 AT 10:19 PM
Comments
Did you steek the back? (and cut it already?)
Maybe you could use it like fabric and machine sew it into something--it looks like you have enough to make a hat or maybe ? (hmmm, will think on it)
It's beautiful Mary, why do you want to rip it out?
Posted by: Leigh on 10.28.2003 AT 10:32 AM
Yes, I too want to know why you want to frog. And re: frogging... are you worried that the yarn will be too sticky?
Posted by: Melissa on 10.28.2003 AT 09:31 PM
Rip by holding the knitting just below each short section you rip very firmly.No worries !
Posted by: Emma on 10.29.2003 AT 01:36 PM
Depending on the yarn, you could also consider felting it. It would be smaller but it might be less "hard to look at" as a pillow, or cat bed, or felted bag if you do that.
I have no advice on ripping...I hate to rip even when it involves only one color of yarn. If you do rip, another thought is to put in a "rescue thread" like lace-knitters use so you don't go too far.
Posted by: fillyjonk on 10.30.2003 AT 10:56 AM
I'd say use a size 1 circular as a 'lifeline' and run it through each stitch in the last row that was correct, then just rip with abandon and rekint off the lifeline needle on to the regular one again. I've done this before, if you concentrate stitch by stitch on staying on the same row (harder than it sounds) you will be fine.
Posted by: CarolineF on 10.30.2003 AT 02:24 PM
I have been where you are, only worse. I knit an entire Alice Starmore except for the last sleeve before I would finally admit to myself (1) the colors sucked on me and (2) the sweater was WAY too big. Had I not already cut the steeks, I would have ripped it. As it is, it is destined for pillow-dom. If I were you, I would rip it out to right before the mistake and start again. Don't worry overly about the stitches running away from you whilst off the needle...the hairy yarn will hold just fine.
Posted by: claudia on 10.31.2003 AT 03:24 PM
Actually, I think it is beautiful. Make it into a pillow and give it to somebody for the holidys.
Posted by: max on 10.31.2003 AT 11:39 PM
Don't throw it out! Donate it to another knitter you know. It would make a lovely pillow/cushion. The undone strands would never be long enough for anything much.
Posted by: Chris on 10.28.2003 AT 09:22 AM