the blue blog archives: out with the old

New Year's is a time for reflecting on the past and setting new goals for the future, right? Well, I've reflected on one of my recently completed projects and thought, I'm just not going to wear that, so why not rip it out and knit something else with the yarn? I've seen Linda do this several times - she's so brave! So what do you all say to a rip-along?

Got a completed or partially completed project that simply didn't work out that you need to frog? Want some company and support through the ripping process? How 'bout we start the year off right and make the week after next rip-along week? Let me know what you're ripping and be sure to post a picture (or send me one) if at all possible. The picture is the best part!

posted by alison at 8:25 am | in ribby cardie , the week long frog-a-thon

Comments

While I admire your desire to recycle the yarn for a project that suits you better (and applaud your frogging courage!), may I respectfully suggest that you also consider donating the sweater?

Posted by: June at January 2, 2004 9:21 AM

Oh, heh! I've already frogged something in a new year's bout of courage (pale blue fluffy tank top in a yarn I had kept hidden from my husband because I know he will laugh and laugh). But no picture of course! Alas. It's going to be a nice conservative scarf for my sister or a friend now, because the yarn is really so soft and cuddly, it needs to be something loved and not an embarrassing thing I dare not wear. If I'd known you would come up with this excellent plan I'd have taken a picture!

Posted by: marrije at January 2, 2004 9:35 AM

Oh--but I loved that cardie! But I fully understand--count me in with the infamous red sweater--does it matter that I still had one more seam to sew up?

Posted by: Dava at January 2, 2004 10:32 AM

June, if I weren't so in love with the yarn, I might donate the sweater. But I really, really love the yarn and remember how excited I was to knit it up. I hope I'll enjoy knittng it with it as much the second time.

Marrije, good for you! Do you have a picture of the yarn now? That would would be great to see too. So we all know that you can do it and survive!

Dava, are you really going to finally rip the red sweater?? I'm so glad to have you ripping-along! I really need the support to tear out my ribby. I like the sweater a lot, but just know that I won't wear it. But the thought of giving up on the whole thing is scary. I hope we get a lot of fellow rippers, cause this kind of misery really needs company!

Posted by: alison at January 2, 2004 11:30 AM

Hi Alison, I have lots of sweaters that I want to re-do. Can you add me to your rip-along? I'll try to get a photo on my blog but I haven't really had much success with that so I can't guarantee anything. Thanks!

Posted by: Monica at January 2, 2004 12:08 PM

I need to rip my Rowan sweater I am half done with because I lost enough weight it is now going to be too big!! So I am in!

Posted by: Cindy at January 2, 2004 12:19 PM

OK - I'm in. I need to rip the summery green copacabana top that I made last year. One wash and its wide enough to fit 2 Kerries in! Not sure what it will turn into but I do love the yarn so rip away...

Posted by: kerrie at January 2, 2004 1:07 PM

Count me in Alison. I plan on completely frogging my scoop neck cardigan knit in noro silk garden. the sweater is pretty to look at but awful to wear....so, i am going to knit something else with it. any suggestions?

Posted by: elisabeth at January 2, 2004 1:27 PM

Happy New Year, Alison! You can count me in. I'm going to rip my Venus tank by Rowan knit in summer tweed. It's too big. I'll post pics for Monica as well.

Posted by: Lynette at January 2, 2004 1:44 PM

You rip, girl!
Wanted to be sure you knew of this group...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/musthave_knitalong/
of course, if you already, know, then.....never mind!
:)
xox

Posted by: Sandy at January 2, 2004 4:13 PM

Hi Alison,
I would love to join the rip-roarin' fun and was wondering if anyone out there has tried frogging a felted item? Made the French Market Bag from Knitty out of Kureyon and let's just say it didn't work out well. Or should I not even try?

Posted by: Carol at January 2, 2004 5:49 PM

This is so timely, as I just decided the other day to rip out my Ribby Cardie which is made of luscious Chamonix. I need to reknit the yarn at a slightly tighter gauge to give it more body, and I think I'm going to make it a top-down saddle sleeve pullover instead. So yeah, count me in!

Posted by: ivete at January 2, 2004 9:03 PM

Oh, you're ripping out ribby cardie? :-(

Your rip-along is a great idea! I have a sweater (kim hargreaves) I've wanted to rip but just didn't have the fortitude to do so--please count me in!

Posted by: Leigh at January 2, 2004 9:33 PM

Hi Alison:
I was just surfin' and saw your rip-along.
How timely, I have a Flirty Ruffles Shawl about 10% complete that I started in January 2003. It took me about 3 months to get that far and it'll hurt to frog it. However, it's beautiful Jaggerspun Zephyr yarn and it's a shame to have it wasting away in a plastic bag somewhere....this'll give me the courage to do it!!
Let the ripping begin!

Posted by: Cheryl at January 3, 2004 10:48 AM

Weeel, I've got a baby sweater almost done that I'm fairly sure the yarn won't hold out to make the sleeves long enough - can't decide whether to just make the sleeves short or what.

How does one make a button? Know of a good online tutorial or something?

Posted by: Meg at January 3, 2004 5:06 PM

I've a nearly completed jacket in Colinette Prism (from last year) that just doesn't fit, and I sat with it the other day thinking I should frog it, but didn't have the nerve. I think it's cool if I do it along with others.. what a great idea!

Posted by: Iris at January 3, 2004 7:05 PM

I'm so glad that so many of you are joining the rip-along. You all have some wonderful yarns to reclaim. Just be sure you're really ready to frog before you start. And feel free to back out if you change your mind. I don't want to have pressured anyone into ripping!

Elisabeth, have you looked at the Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Collection? She has some lovely designs for many Noro yarns.

Ivete, it's good to see another ribby ripper on the list. I'm so nervous about taking out that zipper!

Meg, sorry to say that I don't have any great info on making buttons. I've just tried things out and taught myself.

Posted by: alison at January 4, 2004 8:12 AM

Alison, I ripped my Wave&Shell on 1/1, after some long-distance coaching from a fellow blogger. Rewound the frogged end so I have two "yarn cakes" now and am trying to find a better pattern to do with a double strand . . . so I may be able to send the restart pic ~

Posted by: Maggi at January 4, 2004 3:45 PM

I guess I was too impatient; I ripped a too-big sweater a few weeks ago, and I'm already working on the sleeves of the new version! So if it's ok that I started early, then count me in. I posted pictures of the ripping and everything.

Posted by: J Strizzy at January 5, 2004 5:39 PM

glad i found your site again. i was thinking about the rip along today as i was frogging an entrelac sweater i started last year. beautiful handpainted greeny/turquoisy la boheme type yarn. georgeous love the yarn and loved knitting it. only had the one side done before i realized that its going to be too big. but what a big horror it has been to frog it!!!! DONT TRY TO FROG MOHAIR THAT IS ENTRELAC!!!!.knotting up every other row,only able to frog a few stitches at a time,its been a nightmare and i fear that i will have to throw the whole thing out and lose the yarn.in desparation, i decided to give it up today. maybe ill try again in a few days or a few years. wont throw it out but not sure if it can be saved.but im with all of you who are froggin,hang in there!!!

Posted by: pittbunnie at January 5, 2004 7:51 PM