Jan 27 2008
first frogging of 08
I started a Koolhaas hat on January 1, but in the past few weeks I’ve barely touched it; I just didn’t like knitting it. Something about the frequency of the cable crossings didn’t ever let me get in the flow. In the meantime, every single last one of you has cranked out your own–oh, wait, no, you actually made at least two, sometimes three! I watched in awe and befuddlement.
Yesterday, my Flickr friend Julie organized a knitting afternoon at a bar in the Lower East Side. I brought Koolhaas, to force myself to knit it. I really love the finished look, so I decided I would just have to soldier through. Well, last night, I finished it. And it was so small and tight, it slid right off my head. I considered investigating the source of the problem–careful assessment of gauge (which I’d thought was right), frogging to the beginning of the decreases and adding height, all those things that I normally do. But you know what? I didn’t like knitting it the first time, why would I like knitting it a second time?
So it’s frogged—gone—a mere memory. I needed that ball of yarn to finish up my skirt, anyway.
Heh heh. I ain’t knittin’ it. Good for you, life’s too short. Hooray for frogging and moving on!
It seems that you have really embraced the philosophy of, “if it’s not working…” The hat, the job…you should love what you do, in knitting and in life. Cheers to you for figuring it out and acting accordingly.
It seems that you have really embraced the philosophy of, “if it’s not working…” The hat, the job…you should love what you do, in knitting and in life. Cheers to you for figuring it out and acting accordingly.
I love the colorway you chose, even if the hat was a drag:)
If the two of you weren’t meant to be, then it’s time for the ol’ heave HO!
Hooray for your effort !!! Hooray for your frogging and not doing it over. Love the yarn.
Yeah, I just frogged a sweater I was making for my daughter. Sometimes, that’s just what needs to happen.
flickr and real life with knitting combine for pretty yarn that you can use on a project you love… end justifies the means?? :)
Ah nuts. Well, it’s always good to know when to cut your losses so you don’t spend time hating what you’re doing just to get a finished product!
I’m sure it was incredibly liberating to frog!
I must be one of the few in the world who haven’t knit one. Knitting is supposed to be fun, so if it was torturous then I wouldn’t knit it again either!
It gives me a headache just looking at all those cables, so good on you for even attempting it.
there is so many great patterns out there - why spend time on ones we don’t enjoy knitting??
Hi, new reader here. I haven’t made a Koolhaas either, and while I think it’s gorgeous, I’m not rushing to make one. I do love the yarn you chose knit up like that, though. And hey, at least you got your first frog out of the way early. ;)
man, frogging an “FO” always sucks, but better admit it’s not working than fool yourself.
Also, FYI — Thanks for the lovely blogging all these years. I “tagged” (or whatever) you for the ‘you make my day’ because, well, you do. Your blog was one of the first I ever read and it continues to be one of the first I look for when I open my bloglines.
Sometimes they just have to go. I haven’t tried this pattern yet, but I’m not a big hat person anyway…
Liberate that yarn! I love Koolhaas but I’m not sure I’d enjoy knitting it either.
First time commenting here. I, too, made a Koolhaus and thought the experience was not pleasant - my hands hurt from so many ktbl cables. I finished mine, though, and I like how it looks. I wore it twice. The last time I had a friend ask if I’d make one for her. I think I’m going to give her mine so I don’t have to make another one!
I hear you! There’s no way I could do those cables on the train, so my skein of Malabrigo is still sitting on my desk… all wound up with no place in my knitting bag.
Way to repurpose - life is too short to knit what you don’t want to!
Your crafternoon looked like such fun!
eh, there is no shame whatsoever in disliking the traveling stitch. it’s fiddly to the max. nice colorway, tho!
looked gorgeous and I admire your willingness to let it go! I don’t doubt you’ll make something equally beautiful with the yarn. it was good practice, in any case!
i am relatively new to the world of knit blogging and yours is one of many that inspires me to make one myself. just wanted to say hi and thanks!
It was great meeting you on Saturday.
I can’t believe the hat’s already come and gone. As for me I’m just barely getting going on the scarf you helped me start. Onto the second color. Yea! Next time I knit something (which could be in a year) I’ll learn how to make a fun pattern or something :)
I may not post a comment very often or at all, but I wanted you to know that your blog makes my day. So much in fact, that I awarded you a “Make my Day Award”. I hope I have made yours. When you have a chance please stop by and check it out http://www.twocrazyknitchicks.blogspot.com/
And you are not the only one to have not loved and frogged :)
Have a great day!
I started a Koolhaas over my winter break, and gave up for the same reason. I just wasn’t enjoying it…too many cable crossings or something (and I *like* cables!). I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who wasn’t digging it…it sure seems like everyone else is knitting dozens of them!
Why did you hate knitting it? And by sending me the pattern, does that mean you wish me pain and suffering?