Lesson Learned?

The inspiration for the piece was simple. Brilliant, even.

I'd spent a fruitless week searching for patterns that would be appropriate for 550 yards of Blue Sky Alpaca that I picked up during the Yarn Harlot's recent visit to Chicago. Now frustrated, I threw the question out to the Knit Club last Thursday. Without hesitation, JC says, "Make a collar."

Perfect! Five-hundred-fifty yards isn't enough for a sweater - even a sleeveless one, but it IS just right for something as interesting as a collar, maybe with sleeves.

My visual design mind instantly began creating a pattern. Even though it was a school night, I began to sketch as soon as I got home from the meeting. I worked out a few numbers and cast on the first 120 stitches Friday evening. This would be my long weekend project (having Columbus Day off and all).

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, late into the night I knit, determined to be near an end with a FO to show by Monday.

The first half went so well that I decided to get "creative" and seriously deviated from the design with what I thought were some well-placed YOs that would serve as the necessary increases, as well as opening up the density of the resulting fabric. Sometimes what seems so right can be oh, so wrong!

I began to have doubts, so I pinned the WIP to my dress form for a look-see. The cold of reason Monday morning took hold and within two seconds, I knew that part of the thing had to die and never be spoken of again.

So here I sit with two sleeping cats at my feet and a mug of hot coffee, confessing my latest design sin and preparing for the inevitable.

Off to the froggin' I will go. Uh-hmm, uh-hmm.