They're sawing out my wet wall and I'm making mistakes in a heart hat. Beer o'clock? Now? Now?

Knitting demons strike again. Sorry.

How about now?

At least you didn't have to write that sentence 500 times AND rip out. Sorry for your angst!

ooooo! a knitting goddess smack down. and you even swatched!

If only fixing it were as easy as cut'n'paste.

Sigh. Know exactly what you mean. Crappity crappity crap crap crap.

I SO feel your pain.

Ouch !

Hang in there
margieinmaryland

PS Jen's baby???

@ Rams: it's Beer o'clock somewhere....
I can't say anything about frogging post errors, nope, not since I tinked back 4 rows of cable pattern -- thought to be be later in the pattern-- only to discover they had exactly matched the start of the next repeat....

Deep breathes. Stiff drink. And begin.

If you're like me, telling yourself a thousand times won't prevent you from thinking you can commit a fancy chart to memory and knit without it next time.

Sorry. :(

Aw, craptastic.

I hope you typed each line of your penance out and didn't just cut and paste. It works better that way. Sorry though!! I'm glad I'm not the only one with a limited memory. Hope the picking up of 500 sts goes well!

Cat would tell you that was a good thing. You can invent entirely new stitch combinations that way. (I know, I don't always buy that either!)

as i ripped back a row last night (because i forgot one stitch) i bitched to the group that just once i would like to knit something in lace that i didn't have to rip back at least once. question: will you post the pattern for the baby blanket?

You're still better off than I am. I can't commit a simple chart to memory and knit without it.

On bad days I need to check the pattern every two stitches.

Hugs! Maybe you just made a design feature?! :)

Oh, Stephanie. So sorry for your pain. There is just one word......UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH

Oh, Stephanie. So sorry for your pain. There is just one word......UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH

I'm sorry, but LOL!!! You had me at the first repeat.

Oh, noes! Not sure it's any consolation, but my charts don't need to be fancy for me to be unable to commit them to memory :(

Oh dear! That stinks!I hope you had a life line.

But that's probably better than my realization this morn that the sweater I spent 3 months knitting for my granddaughter and just completed this last weekend was no where to be found!!

Oh, this is so me! I *might* give my memory a go with one repeat left. Heh. A photographic memory I do not have... not even mimeographic.
; )

What Rams said.

Or chocolate.

Darn that pride! Always making us trip and fall.

I feel your pain. I'm working on my first adult-sized sweater and I have 3.5 rows of 326 stitches across to rip out. I've been ignoring it for a week now, hoping it will magically fix iteself!

You can't? I always thought really experienced and fast knitters could read their knitting super well and fast in order to remember what's supposed to come next. Really.

I stay chained to my charts, myself, as I don't trust my memory at all.

I have that same issue! Started a few projects over again just so they would be right. I am a perfectionist after all. Beer o'clock is a great idea! I would like to start that now too. ;)

Fancy chart? 500 stitch rows? What are you working on?!?

Sorry you're having difficulties, though.

Oh no!

Oh dudette, that blows.

Oh I am so sorry - what a HUGE bummer.

Welcome to Catkin.
The chevron is fun, isn't it?

Argh! Been there. Actually, been there with simple charts. It's like I never learned that about myself and try to test it a few times a year.

Oh NO-O-O-O-O-O.

NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel your pain!

This is in my knitting area: http://www.etsy.com/listing/67422924/keep-calm-its-tea-time-somewhere-print

I'm pretty sure that we could change that to "it's Beer O' Clock somewhere"!

As one that is reknitting two complete rows of Enterlac, I feel your pain.

ETA: I found one!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59819141/keep-calm-and-drink-beer-13x19-poster?ref=v1_other_2

Important things 1st.......... any baby yet?

Gggggggggggh. It's beer-thirty starting at noon in the summer time. Really. But after, after (!) you have the stitches back safely on the needle

The knitting goddesses strike back! What did you do this time?

At least it wasn't the blanket.

Please tell me you didn't find an error in the blanket after gifting. That would make me cry.

Yeah...

For what it's worth, I cursed loudly and strongly on your behalf. Rawr. That sucks.

Another thought - design element?!

Oh. Ouch. I feel your pain from here...

I promise not to complain about 3 rows of unraveled yarn at my feet, again.

I get the temptation of it...I feel like I should be takeing the short bus to school when I knit from a chart and have to follow each stitch....

Next time try to mistakenly drink 5 of the wrong beers. Just think of the benefits to THAT mistake - you just say oops - and start over on the RIGHT beers. By the time you are done, that little old knitting error just won't seem nearly as bad!

SO entertaining. Really. Could only be better if there were a live webcam.

I can only knit stockinette or garter by memory.

Man, it hurts every time! But I try to think of it this way: more knitting pleasure out of the same amount of yarn. Cost effective, that is.

If it makes you feel any better, you're not the only one who had that experience with that particular pattern. We feel your pain, but it will be worth it in the end :D

LOL! Mercury must be rising. Despite reading the pattern I ignored the instructions and reversed all the twists in the pattern I am working. So I know exactly how you feel. Luckily I only had to tink a mere 45 stitches instead of the entire row.

I'm going to invent a pair of eyeglasses that will project what comes next in the pattern onto the lens. They will always know exactly where you are in the pattern, and a bright red flashing light will warn you that you just made a mistake.

I just need a venture capitalist with a gazillion dollars to make this happen.

I've got it just as bad this week. I knitted a nice 4 inches of lace on a sweater, then thought "Oh no, I read the instructions wrong!" I ripped it all out, started reknitting, then realized I had done it right to begin with!

If it's any consolation your post makes me feel better. I was also smitten with the Catkins I saw at Sock Summit and cast on soon after I got home.

I had to frog TWICE! Once because I did something odd with one of the double mirrored increases and no matter what I did I could not make it look right. Once because I'm an idiot and was on autopilot so my contrast rows weren't garter stitch, which of course I didn't notice until I was on the second next set and realized the first set were wrong. ARGH!

I did find that once I got the second catkins established I could knit without the chart.

If I hadn't coveted it so strongly I would have been tempted to throw it across the room. I've made it to the garter stitch border and have just a couple of rows before the joy of binding off all those stitches and I'm still smitten.

Even amazing and experience knitters need a chart or pattern present???

Makes an enthusiastic novice like me feel better!

Quick sew in a life line before you rip.....

Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci both drew sketches and made mistakes, so why should other brilliant, creative minds be any different?

Ouch. Been there, done that, ouch. And yup, even thought afterwards I could do it again. Nope. Haven't written it on the chalkboard, probably should. (And after reading several of the comments, yeah, now I'm REALLY looking forward to knitting Catkin.)

Oohhhhhhhh. That just stinks. :(

This is the "furnace fuel disaester in my house so I know how to clean anything now" person. (Except acrylic yarn. That went in the garbage, credit now waiting for me at my lys.) Restoration is continuing after jackhammering out the concrete patch from last summer. Carpet went down 4 days early this week. Right carpet, wrong color, need to rip it all out again, carpenters on hold.....again! I'm going to start knitting something in garter stitch, one color. Maybe nothing can go wrong with that kind of project.

Ack... Gives me the sudden compulsion to add a chalkboard to my craft area so I can go a dutifully write sentences when needed.

Stephanie I am sorry that you have to rip back but I am grateful to hear that I am not alone in trying to memorize patterns. Sometimes it just can't seem to happen in my head.

Hope that you get it sorted out and are going forward soon.

Shit.

or,

Yea, more entertainment value out of the same length of yarn!

I'd go with "Shit."

I should not feel a sense of relief from another knitter's misfortune, that I am not the only one.
I should not feel a sense of relief from another knitter's misfortune, that I am not the only one.
I should not feel a sense of relief from another knitter's misfortune, that I am not the only one.
I should not feel a sense of relief from another knitter's misfortune, that I am not the only one.
I should not feel a sense of relief from another knitter's misfortune, that I am not the only one.
I should not feel a sense of relief from another knitter's misfortune, that I am not the only one.

Hugs.

Been there. Done that.
Only one word for that situation but it's very impolite.

Chocolate helps.

Has the baby arrived yet?

I've totally lost my knitting mojo.Too much ripping back. And too much beige yarn.

That really stinks.

I'd say "bad word", "bad word", "bad word", "bad word", "bad word" and end it off with "bad word"!

When that happened with a falling leaves one skein shawlette I threw the whole thing at the door, slammed the door shut, opened the door and slammed it again, let out a loud wrenching wail and stomped out of the room. It wasn't the shawlette's fault but at the same time I felt better after putting it in the time out corner for awhile. I did eventually finish the shawlette but have never worn it.

Uh-oh :(

Note to self for when I copy Steph in making this pattern. Keep the chart.

I admit I just about giggled my self silly because I did the same thing recently.

Drink beer while you rip it out and it'll make it less painful

pants.

Would biting your knitting or maybe the pattern make you feel better? Because if I think it would make me feel better. ;)
I'm sure whatever it is will turn out lovely, as it always seems to.

Uh, uh, uh uh uh. Yeah. My georgeous purple lace summer sweater is in time out for the same thing. TWICE. That's because I tried to fix it while I was still mad. Don't give in to that temptation. Adjust attitude (with or without beer) and knit on. It's Catkin (!), the Clapotis, the February Lady, the Teach of 2011.

Some days are just like that. And some charts are easier than others. Heck, some rows in some charts are just not for memorizing.

Don't let it faze ya. We all have days like that.

I've done this shawl. I know where you're at. It's a crappy lesson. Many sorrows and mountains of patience sent your way. You will make it to the end! txhippie

I have felt your pain. Wine helps.

Yikes! It is definitely whine time--oops I mean WINE--

There is nothing anyone can say except 'HUGS'....

I can't remember anything, and I don't even try anymore. My charts and I are never far apart.

I'm with Marilyn at 3:04 "I can only knit stockinette or garter by memory."

And I even screw those up!! I must have the chart in front of me at all times or I start making up my own pattern. My mind is a total sieve.

I feel your pain and wining is the only answer.

I can't either, Stephanie. I feel your pain. When will we ever learn?

Rams, you and Stephanie need to head to the nearest Pub for a beer and some hug therapy.
I'm working on a sweater that I've just about wore the yarn out ripping out and knitting it back up to rip out again. And by the way, my gauge swatches lie egregiously, too. I evidently don't knit lace at the same tension as stockinette.

Okay, warning for me as I knit the second section of Catkin: no matter how intuitive it seems, STICK TO THE CHART. Thanks, Steph. Because of your pain, others will not have to suffer.
Beer. Now.

repeat after me:
WHISKEY
WHISKEY
WHISKEY...

I tried so hard to forget my first complicated stitch scarf. If I had never ripped any of it out, it would have been 12 feet long. But I did and it wasn't. Since it was a promised gift, I finished it instead of delegating it to the UFO pile. And, I'm so glad I did. Lived, learned, loved! You're the best!!!

I cannot READ a simple lace pattern - let alone a chart - and get it right.

That sucks. Been there done that. Wanted to drink some Jack. =( Hope it makes you feel better we all do it, and sometimes do it more than once.....(tries to look innocent).

I feel your pain. I really, really do.

Been there...am doing that...I have been working on one sweater that is driving me INSANE. I work on it for a week or so and HAVE to put it down for a month!

This too shall pass!

You get me, you really get me! (-:

Eeep!

I have done this. Oh, have I done this. "It's only a twenty-row repeat of some fancy Estonian lace stitch. I can *so* memorize this. I don't need to bring the chart with me."

Just found out my sister has a whiskey voice and gives me the best socks ever.

I thought I had received a runtime error when I first looked at your blog today . Soon, I realized it was your message of the day. Not fun.

As painful as it must be for you (and I'm sure it is), it's somehow comforting to know that even knit goddesses sometimes make mistakes. So sorry.

Been there, ripped that....wishing you blessings and beer....blessings OF beer?

There must be something in the air, I just ripped back 12 rows of 115 stitches. Soooooo Sooorrryyy! Maybe that beer (or 2) will take the ouch edge off. I think I'll have one for you!

Been there, done that, on Catkin. Good Reader on my iPad is saving me on this time through!
I totally empathize and feel for you.

I could barely look up from the Catkin charts, so this makes me feel a little bit better! ;-)

Been there, done this, again, and again... seems like some lessons need repeating.

My motto: more knitting, which is why I do this in the first place.

And there I was marveling at your amazing powers.
I downloaded that pattern yesterday but was stopped cold by the 13 pages and the last set of charts. The first third is easy, the second third not so hard although a 20 st repeat is more than I can usually memorize but then come the #2 charts.

It is heartening to see you are also struggling. How could so many of these already be done? Did they start in january and take 6 - 7 months to tink and frog until they got it right?

I cannot knit WITH a chart.....

Never mind, it's not time wasted, you still had the pleasure of knitting, even though it went pear-shaped.
Twice the enjoyment from the same few yards of yarn.

And I've been thinking it's because I'm becoming elderly (aren't we all?). I am not happy that you have to rip, but I am glad to hear that I am not the only one that "cannot commit a fancy chart to memory and knit without it".
BTW that isn't the 13 pg shawl I just purchased is it? Oh my!

I can. Just about the time I'm finished with the project, I have the fancy chart memorized. Usually about 6 rows before the end. Up until then, I'm playing dice if I try to go without.

OT: will you please let us know when Jen has her baby? I was sure the day after you finished the blanket we would hear the good news. Pins and needles here and best wishes to all involved in the birth...

I cannot commit a simple chart to memory and knit without it.

I'm laughing as though it's never happened to me!

Happens to the best of us ...

Yes..... she agreed, as she ripped and tinked back about 8 rows where she forgot to do the right side decreases.....

If it makes you feel any better I couldn't remember my own phone number this afternoon.

I never even try because I know I can't.
I never even try because I know I can't.
I never even try because I know I can't.
I never even try because I know I can't.
I never even try because I know I can't.
I never even try because I know I can't.
I never even try because I know I can't.

When I sit down after a long day with my children, I so enjoy reading your blog. I appreciate you!

Ouch.

Well, Steph, you've done it again.
Now it's time to share the (can you say "overkill"? I knew you could...) BABY??? blanket?

I showed it to a friend and she said "BIG BABY?"

We both joked it was really for your husband...let's face it. Some men really are big babies...but I digress.

I think I want the pattern...but would rather make a smaller version. Not that I have a baby to give it to, mind you, but would make a nice receiving blanket to give to the hospital.

What do you say?

LOL!!!! :-D

Oh, that hurt just reading this.

I just had my first painting class EVER today. Did I mention that I don't paint? I know I am majoring in art because I want to learn how to do it, and I know that everyone has to start somewhere, but holy crap, it was bad. And I'm not used to being that bad at trying things.

I think this calls for a glass of good red wine... It doesn't solve anything, but it will take the edge off.

Here's where your famous perseverance, which I have admired in the past, kicks in. I feel your pain.

I so agree! I'd type it a few more times if I hadn't had 2 glasses of wine tonight.

I'm familiar with that one as well as the "I don't use lifelines because I rarely make a mistake when knitting lace" reasoning. I still don't use lifelines... karma will get me one day, I'm sure of it.

oooops!! :)

If I could have save the ripped-out rows I'd have a closet-full of garments. But you do have me beat at 500 rows. Oh, - - - -.

, , , apparently it doesn't apply just to knitting , , ,

boo urns. :(

OUCH!!!!!!
Been there, done that.........

Good luck with that!!

Apparently I can't even commit a *simple* stitch pattern to memory & knit from it, although in my defence I was working from a photocopy and the 6-stitch repeat from the 13-stitch chart was highlighted IN RED. I used a photocopy so as not to lug the book around. The 8 inches of plastic mohair with the wrong fir cone pattern is now going in the bin. Life's too short and I wasn't *that* enchanted with it anyway...

When knitting intricate lace patterns, I must always use stitch markers and life lines.
When knitting intricate lace patterns, I must always use stitch markers and life lines.
When knitting intricate lace patterns, I must always use stitch markers and life lines.
When knitting intricate lace patterns, I must always use stitch markers and life lines.
When knitting intricate lace patterns, I must always use stitch markers and life lines.
When knitting intricate lace patterns, I must always use stitch markers and life lines.
When knitting intricate lace patterns, I must always use stitch markers and life lines.

Yep, been there, done that, got the t shirt.

also, don't get carried away with the simple lace pattern that you can memorize, and go too far!

sigh...

A mother's mind has too many things to be worried about to memorize a "simple" lace pattern. However, a much more complicated one can often be memorized because it mimics the day to day complications we have to memorize all the time. Or, be like me, and ASSUME you can't memorize ANYTHING.
What you focus on, expands. You've just doomed yourself to not being able to remember the pattern. Find a way to re-phrase it before continuing :)

Oh, I'm so sorry........ I hope the rest of your day is wonderful!

Hmmm...someone suggested saying something other than "Hugs"...how about "Suck it up!" LOL 'Tis a fact of knitting one must accept...tinking, ripping, frogging. Just yesterday I had 10 rows left of the lace pattern in a Gingko Shawl. Discovered a split stitch hanging on by a wee bit waaaay back with no way to drop down to that stitch because of the lace pattern....ripped it back to where there were just 180 stitches across (made a nice fat cake as I wound it off).

I like what one poster said about getting more knitting pleasure out of the same amount of yarn.

Oh no! Keep focusing on how great the shawl will look when you are done!

snort. Been there, done that.

Ouch! 5, 500 stitch rows?! oh, I am sooo sorry.

I meant 5 x 500 stitch rows.

glad to know I'm not the only one stuck at frogfest 2011.... I haven't worked on anything in two weeks that didn't require frogging and that includes a pair of stockinette socks! Will drink an extra beer in your honor this weekend in hopes that we can succeed in future charted or uncharted knitting ventures without having to wade through the blame-dang frogs. :)

o_0

That's knitting hubris!! The knitting gods have gotten you!! Now write many times: I love my chart; I will take it with me at all times...

I recently tinked three 250 stitch rows, and I thought that was bad. So sorry.

So glad to know that I am not the only one.

If this is Catkin you speak of - I spent 6 hours on a bus through Mexico last month, with that damn chart balanced on my lap so I could knit on it. It's sneaky, that one.

Rx: Wine. (or Beer.)and Dark chocolate. Repeat as needed. :)

What a relief to find that I'm not the only one. . .

The Knitting Gods probably got on your case after thinking you could. *pats shoulder* Have no fear. That has happened to me many times before.

Well...it does make me feel better about ripping out 4 rows of 64-stitch socks!

I'm sorry. I'm guessing you can't just call it a "modified design?"

Ribbit - the frogs are loose in Toronto. Memory - what's that? After kids, adults have no rational thinking let alone short term memory function. You're lucky you remembered where your yarn and needles are! Congratulate yourself!

I've just given up. I know I won't remember so I do't even try anymore. Am amazed by the people who can.

Just had to start over on a lace scarf. Dropped a stitch in a complicated place and couldn't reconstruct....:>(

So sorry for your loss.

UGH...what a pain in the neck!

I can not knit lace and supervise a teen program at the library at the same time. This is why I have a simple, no frills sock, I must not get ahead of myself.

This is not the knitting for speed and efficiency we were looking for....

:-(

Oh, owwwww...! I'm sorry! (Here, you want me to come frog it for you?)

Note that it is always easier to frog a large piece of, say, lace, if you've rinsed it and set it to dry overnight on the needles: the stitches you're going down to behave themselves and stay put a whole lot better rather than running away as far as they can.

It never fixes it's self..I feel a case of startitis not finishupis coming on since it would sit in the basket with a few other items that wont magically rip out on thier own..darn knitting gremlins.

Aauuugghhhhh!

Saw the first lines of your posting and felt my brain shrink down to the size of an orange. A shrinking, wrinkled orange. The horror. And of course it had to be lace, not just patterning. Still shaking my head.

Ouch. Try some (doctored up) Chamomile tea and chocolate. May help with the frogfest.

oh barf (that is what went through my head when I read that). Can't believe it...egads and Godspeed.

agree (1)

Yikes!

I looked up Catkin--pretty pattern on the model, but I don't think it would look nice on me. Even so, might be worth the try, just to stretch my skills....will favorite it for now...sorry that you are experiencing difficulties, but I'm gonna say this and then duck and run...fast knitters run into this problem all the time (and lots of people say I knit fast, too, though I am not nearly as fast as you are, and I sure wish I WAS...maybe I could get something done!).

Oh, no!!!!

My sympathies.

Me either. Sorry you have to rip.

Would a lifeline every 20 rows or so help ?

Yikes. I'm doing that now, and I think it might bite me!

It doesn't have to be a "fancy" chart for me to be unable to remember it. My brain is a sieve.

Deep breath,
Shot of vodka.
Deep breath,
Shot of vodka.

Happy drinking! ;)

We can be grateful you weren't knitting it in mohair.........

When in this situation, I use a finer needle as a life line, thread it through the row I want to frog to, then rip the rows above it. Or thread it to a row that is easy to find (like an all purl row). Then I can start knitting off the fine needle onto the right size needle. Don't forget to switch needles.

I'm about to do this as I've discovered that half my pattern has used up 60% of my yarn. Time to back up and make each section shorter.

I wanted to ask about those embroidered circles.

We've all been bitten by the knitting hubris bug!

Nooooooooo!

Makes me glad it was only 2 rows to pull out for me today, did my cables wrong.

Knowing me. I would have left it the way it turned out. It would still be a beautiful blanket created one stitch at a time. I would include a little note with the "gift". I'm going on 73 and I only started knitting and crocheting again 10 years ago.... With kids, grand-kids and, so far, 2 gr grand-kids, I figure I have so little time to create all the things I want to, with All the stash I have. Besides, I just began taking cello lessons and learning to read music a month ago and continue to work part time as an RN.
The little note would be part of the blanket's provenance. I'm a way slooowwerr knitter than you. It is maddening tho, isn't it?

That's what I call "making it up as I go along." It doesn't work out well for me either.

I agree with so many of these comments. As a newbie I recently had to unpick a basic scarf cowl so many times!!! I nearly gave up.
Thank you for your honesty & making me realise that even knitting goddesses can have the same problems.
Cheers
Lush
London, UK

I'm checking every day for baby arrival announcement!

Been there, done that... you can haz winez now.

I know your pain far too well!!!

Me neither. :)

Oh my what a muggle mess.

OMG. Been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt, the CD and the poster. Love u.

Hi, Stephanie,
Lovely shawl, lovely knitting and beautiful color selections in the yarn, too.

So how did the sheep to sock challenge end up at Sock Summit? I was at a family reunion in Minnesota that weekend, so I didn't get to see it live. I'm googling about trying to find a pic of the resulting socks, but no luck. Looking on the "Official Website" Did someone post them somewhere on a blog maybe? Please post a link when you get a minute.
Thanks,
Julie