the blue blog archives: frogging flowsies

There's trouble in daisy-land. I finished the first front panel of the Daisy cardigan and realized that I had incorrectly spaced the buttonholes, so it was not possible to have a button at the very top of the neck. If it were my sweater that might be okay. I mean how often do I close the top button on my cardies? But this is for a baby, where the top button might actually be used quite a bit, perhaps exclusively. And I bought such sweet buttons that I'd hate to use even one less of them. So no fudging possible here. I had to go back and fix.

First I thought maybe I could just drop a few buttonband stitches all the way down and reknit the button band that way.

But the two row buttonhole that I used didn't really want to cooperate and rip back without serious ugliness, so I went ahead and ripped the whole thing.

There was much sadness, but I always try to do my ripping quickly, as soon as I realize there's no other choice, before I can get too attached to the work and what was good about it. I feel good about how it's looking now. It also helps that my first attempt at crocheted flowsies went well!

posted by alison at 12:07 am | in baby (sweater) factory

Comments

Oh no... That's such a shame. At least baby clothes are teeny enough so that you will have it reknitted before you know it.

Posted by: kerrie at March 29, 2004 2:36 AM

It's looking good, and the flowsie is quite nice as well! I've been ripping a lot recently and I find I don't mind as much as I thought I would, but these are mostly old WIPs that I put aside for various reasons, so it's more of a restarting with a clean palette thing.

Posted by: Kat at March 29, 2004 6:50 AM

I always rip very, very quickly. Once I make up my mind, I don't delay. Not exactly painless, but it does help to take control of the situation, doesn't it? Lookin' good again!

Posted by: Kerstin at March 29, 2004 7:41 AM

Looks like you are already on a roll again. Quick ripping is the best way to tackle it. It's still progress on the road to a finished product that you will be happy with. That’s how I try to look at it.

Posted by: froggy at March 29, 2004 8:35 AM

And that flower looks great! Doesn't look like a first attempt to me. Now maybe I will get the nerve to give it a whirl now. I am very limited in crochet skills, but I sure do like Georgia's flowers. What a great color, too!

Posted by: froggy at March 29, 2004 8:40 AM

Take no prisoners. Accept no compromises. Atta girl.

Posted by: Stephanie at March 29, 2004 9:15 AM

You are a braver woman than me. I misplaced buttonholes on a loopy mohair cardi for my goddaughter. It was topdown and I just didn't have the heart to do it. I love the seed stitch button band.

Posted by: Kathleen at March 29, 2004 9:24 AM

whoo-hoo! You're crocheting flowsies, too!
Sorry about the cardi though! :-)

Posted by: Sarah Elizabeth at March 29, 2004 11:47 AM

Ouch, that just bites. I have finally learned the same lesson, I think...if I look at it now and hate it, I'm REALLY going to hate it later after I've knit another million rows.

Posted by: Lorette at March 29, 2004 12:42 PM

If you could have pulled off that buttonhole fix as you started to it would have been a feat for the ages. I think you've saved yourself a headache by ripping and reknitting. I now see the benefit of knitting the bands separately. I've reknit the bands of CPS many times, but only the bands.

I think the crocheted flowsie looks terrific.

Posted by: michelle at March 29, 2004 1:01 PM

oh nooooo! Well, good for you for ripping it out quick.

Glad flowsies is back on track. What cast-on did you use? Cable or 2-strand or something else? It looks nice with the seed stitch band.

Posted by: Leigh at March 29, 2004 1:24 PM

I can't wait to see the finished cardigan. I love baby sweaters! When no one is looking I like to sneak into BabyGap to check out the overpriced baby sweaters that any knitter could easily make for half the price. I look forward to one day being able to knit little sweaters.
BTW - Nice crocheted flower!

Posted by: Laurin at March 29, 2004 2:13 PM

Leigh, I always use a knit-on cast on. I just like the way it looks the best. And I love not having to measure out a long tail. The pattern calls for a few rows of garter stitch before the moss stitch, but I only did two rows (so one garter stitch ridge) cause I always gotta change something!

I'm really enjoying the crocheting! Thanks again to Georgia for the neat little pattern that inspired me. I may just go out and get a crochet book or two....

Posted by: alison at March 29, 2004 2:40 PM

Alison-I'vefinally posted pictures of my Spring Fling. Come by and take a look.

Posted by: Meredith at March 29, 2004 3:00 PM

You are so brave to rip! I know what you mean about having to do it quickly (like ripping off a band-aid), to get it over with . . . you'll be happy with your results once the hard part is over, though.

The crocheted flowsie is cute--what will you use it for? (Like I need another project to envy . . . )

Posted by: Chandra at March 29, 2004 7:00 PM

You have much more patience than I do. I hope the Daisy cardigan comes out right this time.

Posted by: Christina at March 29, 2004 9:38 PM

Alison - I was wondering - does your tank that you made and that you share the pattern go with the pants you made? Interesting combo? yes, no?

Posted by: Meredith at March 29, 2004 11:16 PM