Comments: Depends on how you look at it.

I have only dabbled in lace knitting so I am quite impressed with your swatch and how you are winging the edging.

The booties are sweet. I have been tempted to get the Mellor book for a long time.

Posted by Melissa at March 24, 2004 11:09 AM

Oh, come on. To quote "The Sweater Song" by Meryn Cadell, "...and you don't have to die of humiliation. You are a strong person and this is a learning experience." (It's really dang funny if you know the song)
Your time was in no way wasted. You are a more experienced knitter for the misery, and I'm sure at some point, something you learned during those hours will come in very handy. At least, that's what makes ME feel better in like situations. I think I speak for everyone when I say that, in view of the fact that you have knitted this, creating as you go, and not following any sort of pattern, YOU ONLY WASTED THREE HOURS???

Posted by LauraA at March 24, 2004 11:58 AM

Well, maybe you could knit the booties on size 78 needles or something... they'd undoubtedly fit!

And just remember, the shawatch is lovely. And it's just a swatch, so when you make the real shawl, it'll be perfect!

Posted by Jon at March 24, 2004 12:29 PM

Hey, I think you should pat yourself on the back for even trying to work it out beforehand. (Says she who tends to just whack it out and get frustrated _after_ the project looks like sh--.)

I love the booties. And I *heart* the idea of knitting together a string of curses. (What an exciting sha-watch _that_ would make!)

Posted by Rana at March 24, 2004 1:08 PM

swatching with expletives...now THERE's an episode worth tuning in for...*hee* what size needles will you be using for THAT?
Might I just say that the feeling of going to bed feeling like Queen of the World is something that non-knitters (or those who just knit from a PATTERN, can you imagine...) will probably never experience.
Only THREE hours, indeed. I say wear the tiara, stand tall and say POINTEDLY (oh sorry) how PROUD you are to represent your nation of Knitters...
KNIT ON!

Posted by greta at March 24, 2004 5:14 PM

I bow to your assessment of Appropriate Pointy-ness. In large measure, because I don't want to be responsible for sending you screaming over the edge.

Oh. That already happened? Never mind.

Posted by claudia at March 24, 2004 6:13 PM

While on cold medication, I once worked out a very tricky cardigan front and neckline treatment. Then I knitted it. The whole thing is sitting in a bag waiting until I am unpissed enough to unpick the thing. 3 hours is nothing. And it's like socks in the washer. They disappear as sacrifices to the gods of the washer. 3 hours have disappeared as a sacrifice to the gods of knitting. It was a necessary ritual.
And Jon, I love the word shawatch. Perfect.
Barb

Posted by Barb Brown at March 25, 2004 7:58 AM

Oh, Stephanie! I don't know whether to say, "I'm sorry," or "You're welcome!"

I'm glad that you liked my suggestion, and totally bummed that I didn't post it until late in the evening. From now on I promise to harlot (can that be a verb?) earlier in the day.

I love the term shawatch.

Posted by Lori at March 25, 2004 8:59 AM

Those booties are sweet!

You could definitely resize them to normal person feet with worsted yarn. I've done it. It's an... interesting process, but I've done it.

Bloody hell, woman, if you can freestyle a lace shawl, resizing booties should be a snap! Half a snap!

Posted by Christina at March 25, 2004 6:01 PM

Oh, those booties are so cute. They're like my tiger socks, but so much better. Of course, you can only work out complicated lace patterns while on cold medication, due to its amphetamine-like effects.

Posted by Sonja at March 26, 2004 8:56 PM