I'm in! pulled out four rows of teeny weeny little lace stitches from the Mediterannean shawl. Reason for ripping: Cat atack, causing the droping of four rows of teeny weeny little stitches. You are correct--it feels so much better right now!

you are a ripping maniac. but thx for posting when you did so i had something to look at when i got to work at 6 am this morning!!!

These knitting blogs have been so good for me. First I'm inspired by the beautiful work, then I'm inspired by the courage to frog. I didnt' think it could be done. I thought once a garment was completed, it became like a piece of stone. Unchangeable. But no. I'm off to rip out the scarf I made for my mother last month and didn't give to her. Just wasn't right. THank you.

I ripped 2 projects last night and I'll try to post the photos on my blog tonight. Are you going to wash your yarn after you rip? I think I should but I'm not sure how to do it.

Way to go, Di, Roseanne, and Monica!

Looking forward to your pics, Monica. I am planning on washing my yarn. I've done this before (see here), following Theresa's instructions here. Good luck!

Hi there,

Ripping goes slowly (see my blog entry), but well. I forgot how gorgeous the yarn is, and I'm excited to use it again. Also, speaking of 2 knitalongs in one, I'm going to rip my Banff beginning. The manos-while lovely-just didn't look right, and I don't want to waste it on the wrong pattern. I'll be getting some brown sheep.

Lb

I have to say this is the most heartening group project I've seen in awhile. Sometimes, when surfing knitblogs, it's easy to feel like everyone is knitting the most wonderful, beautiful, perfect items...and then I take a look at whatever it is I just finished with its fatal flaws (meaning I'll never wear it or foist it off on someone else--hee hee) and start to feel discouraged. But here's a group of knitters who have shared some of the same types of frustrations working up the courage to frog their hard work and feeling confident that they can make something they'll like even more!

alison:

I'm scared. Or else there's some other hidden fear that's keeping me from frogging. I don't have much to frog but, boy, is it difficult. Each knitted piece has some significance and I feel as though I'm ripping memories. I should just cut the melodrama and start ripping. If not tonight, then I will start tomorrow. I sound like an addict who just won't give up her fix...at least I'm not alone...

Amy, thanks for the kind words. I thought it would be a helpful for others who need to rip to see that they are not alone. And even in the other knit-alongs, I like to keep people's names up who don't finish, because it's helpful to see that not every project gets finished or is a success. And to have the link so we can still visit them and see that they moved on from the abandoned project to make other things they liked or that suited them better. The knit-alongs have been a great experience for me in learning about the process of knitting (choosing, finding the right yarn, changing your mind, knitting, ripping...).

Cheryl, don't rip if you're not ready! I've got a couple of projects that I'm on the fence about, but I'm not ripping THEM yet. You gotta be sure. No pressure from us. But if you just need someone to say, 'look it's okay, people do rip and reuse the yarn to make things they love even more', then that's what we're saying. But, by all means, take your time and do it when you're ready.

My ripping commenced today, but I could only rip halfway as my arm got tired of winding! will post pics tomorrow on my blog. Just noticed my name didn't make it on the list, no biggie!

Ripping a zipper out? Groan! That sounds nearly as much fun as sewing one in! Oh yeah. I'll be procrastinating big time on the ol' zipper. Brave woman, you!

Oh Chris, I'm so sorry. I've added you to the list now. Can't wait for the pics tomorrow!!

All right, now I'm inspired. I'm gonna rip the knee-length ribbed jacket I did last year, $200 worth of Mountain Colors worsted + 100 hours of labor. Fits like crap through the shoulders, I'll never wear it in public. Plus, two Colinette Point Five vests that make me look like a middle linebacker. Count me in! Check my blog for pics.

I agree that the blogs sometimes make it seem that everyone is a better knitter than you and makes lovely objects while yours are not worthy. However, I think there are some key things here to remember 1. I think everyone thinks thier flaws are huge or fatal when in reality NO ONE else notices. For example I knit a friend a sweater and didnt make a swatch large enough (learned that one the hard way) and as a result the sleeve caps where the row guage was vital didnt fit, so I ripped and knit the sleeves in a needle smaller than the body and then since it was only the second sweater I had ever finished and had no idea how to seam a set in sleeve correctly I messed up and sewed the underarms to the arm for about a half inch and masked it with mattress st. and you know what? IT WORKED, it fits fine and no one would ever know unless I said something. I've always thought it would be a good idea for knitters esp. one's like Alison and Becky who produce amazing garments, to talk more about "how I messed up", we all do it. You have to accept its a learning process and be willing to try again, no one is always going to make perfect items. If nothing else being a self taught knitter, the polar pullover debacle taught me alot about yarn substitution and how different fibers act and that is invaluable knowledge for future projects.

Also ripping tips from a frog princess:
1. recycled yarn tends to fuzz, get a cheap disposable (DRY) razor and shave the new fabric it helps a lot.
2. try ripping out a bit at a time, its far more overwhelming to rip out a garment all at once then say a sleeve one day, then the back the next , it will give you a lot of courage.

Alison, I've ripped out projects before but always find that knitting the second/third thing with the same yarn takes a lot of motivation. How do you do it? For me, I think I grow tired of the yarn or something. Maybe it's just me and my inability-to-finish problem....

I have to say I was shocked to find out you were ripping out the ribby. It looked so great on you.

Thanks for your thoughts, Leya. I agree about mistakes being much less noticeable to others. And an experienced knitter doesn't really make less mistakes, but rather has learned better how to correct/fudge them! My knitting motto (and you can ask the Knitsmiths to verify this) is that knitting is ALL about cheating! As for the ripping, doing the ribby step by step over the week is working well. I too recommend plunging in, but completing the job in several stages. Also easier on the arms, right Chris?!

Thanks Stacy. I just didn't end up liking the ribby on me. I was excited about the yarn though, so I'm not having any trouble working up the motivation to start knitting with it again. Perhaps if I were having to reknit the same pattern (to change the size or something) that would be harder.