Thursday, January 26, 2012

Perspective

About a month ago, I came down with a case of Startitis. Thankfully, it wasn't the the severe kind that has the knitter casting on 17 projects in 3 days in wild, careless abandon. No, no, nothing like that.

I just really, really, REALLY wanted to cast on for a shawl. Even though I already had an active project on the needles. Even though I had a *cough*few*cough* lingering WIPs. I didn't care about any of that. Suddenly, what I was working on had about as much appeal as a colonoscopy, and I wanted something shiny and new, and darnit, it was going to be a shawl. Something with lace, but not too "lacey". Something awesome.

Now... I know what you're thinking. "Big whup, Tara. So you wanted to cast on for a shawl. How is that Startitis?!?"

Because of the fevered blindness with which I cast on, my friends. Brooklyn Tweed's Loft Collection had just come out and pushed me over the edge, so it didn't take me long to settle on Stonecrop for a pattern. As for the yarn, I quickly settled on the Foxhill Farm Cormo Cross I bought at Rhinebeck last year because a) it was still relatively shiny and new and b) it's brown, like the one the gorgeous strawberry-blond nymph modelling the pattern is wearing.

Was it the right gauge? Did I swatch? Did I even give a sh*t?? Um... no. I threw caution to the WIND, my friends. I told the Knitting Fates they could shove it up their skeins, and recklessly cast on. Total Startitis.

After about 10 rows I started getting that feeling, though... that feeling that this wasn't looking quite right, that maybe it wasn't going to work out. And I went through all Denial's usual suspects: "Maybe it'll block out", "Maybe it's the lighting", "It'll look better once it's off the needles". And for a while, that was enough to keep me going. I kept knitting, trying to outrun the sense of knitterly doom.

After a few weeks, as often happens in these situations, the Foxhill Stonecrop got set aside in favour of other, more interesting pressing projects. And there it sat, in suspended animation, on the living room end table (a.k.a. where WIPs go to die).

Last night I had Kate-the-Enabler over for a Knit Night, and as she was dutifully Oooh-ing and Aaah-ing over my current projects, she came upon the forgotten shawl.

"Is that your Cormo!??", she asked excitedly (she was there when I bought it. So was Stephen West. It was a Moment).

"Yeah" I answered. "I'm not entirely convinced it's working with this pattern, though...".

And Kate, yes woman extraordinaire, she who can see the positive in ANYTHING, spread the shawl out and gave it a good hard look. "You know..." she said, pursing her lips "I think you might be right."

Buh-bye, Stonecrop. Anyone have any pattern suggestions for 820 yards of Foxhill Cormo Cross?


Happy Knitting, Everyone!

9 comments:

cauchy09 said...

most of the time, i knit just to knit and the final result isn't the goal. startitis seems to originate from this therapeutic desire but, you're right, there's always the Moment of Truth when fun things bite you in the butt. Oh well.

Dad said...

SockssockssockssocksSockssockssockssocksSockssockssockssocksSockssockssockssocksSockssockssockssocksSockssockssockssocksSockssockssockssocks... oh did I mention what about sox? Love Dad

Chantal Boucher said...

Mais qu'est-ce qui ne va pas avec ce patron? Je suis curieuse... Et la startite... ouais connais ça...

Celia said...

Darn that the pattern didn't work out. Hope you have better luck with the next pattern.

Sinéad said...

Lol at your Dad, subtly hinting for socks. Aw. Shame about the shawl, it is a pretty pattern. Am I right the yarn is Aran weight? Why not go all EZ on its ass, and make a big Pi shawl with nice stitch patterns between each repeat.

KTE said...

Purchasing the Cormo (or witnessing you purchasing the Cormo) WAS a moment. I agree.
I'm mortified to have been a catalyst for frogging - but I think it was the right call, the Cormo deserves to show itself off better - not sure what was wrong - too dark for the garter to show crisply? Can't wait to see what you pick for it next though. (Or that possible stripey Bugga thing. I keep thinking about that one..)

Knit and Purl Mama said...

Ha ha, love your dad's comment! I think you should make him socks.

Dawn said...

Ugh, that sucks!!! I have no suggestions...I know what help am I?

Jennifer said...

What was the problem, in the end? Too tight? Not drapey enough?

Pop into Rav and search by yardage/weight. That's what I do for inspiration when I'm trying to find what to do with a yarn.