Thursday, June 20, 2013

Enabling, Rabbit Chases and Unloved Projects


The knitting world is filled with enablers:  Folks who support your addiction and lead you off chasing rabbits when you should be staying the course.


I have a project in my basket (that for love of me, I cannot imagine WHY I wanted to do it; it will be referred to henceforth as The Unloved) that I need to finish.  I am a finisher.  I hate UFOs.  I cannot justify the waste of a yarn purchase and pattern.  I am forcing myself to continue with The Unloved.  

Then, I walk into our LYS and see one of our other knitters, Lisa, has done this oh, so soft and FEEL GOOD shawl...


Next thing you know, I'm off chasing rabbits and have abandoned The Unloved for greener pastures, so to say.   This is a SUPER FAST knit, a quick-fix for a Knitting Jones.  I am very sad to report that this Noro Kogarashi yarn is discontinued... because it was the true REASON for my diversion.  Just can't tell you how good it feels!


I added fringe in order to use almost every last inch of the two skeins I had.  And, I LOVE the outcome.


For those of you interested, I made a photo of the passed-around-version-of-the-pattern from our LYS.  Seems the pattern is no longer available.  It was free; so, I hope they would not mind my sharing.  I managed 9 repeats of the pattern before finishing with the last 8 rows (you know I love big).  Mine also does not have the first and last two stitches of each even row knit (my bad). 


I've been Radio Silent (blog silent) for the past few days.  Lots of visiting with friends, another wedding, Father's Day, a golf tournament (one of my golf friends THANKED ME for finishing DAL, dead-ass-last, so she wouldn't have to... with friends like these... I'm just sayin'...), beginning another watercolor, the usual duties, and living life... it all takes time!  ;) 

I can honestly say, I have no idea how people ever get bored.  I never have enough time to do ALL that I want to do.  I hope you are better at managing your time.  One of  my friends and I did recently confess that we could get more done if we just didn't have to keep remembering what we were trying to do... OR looking for things we have "put somewhere".  ;)

blessings to all ~ tanna

32 comments:

Cindy said...

Oh my, I hear you, Tanna! I often waste time looking for what I "just" put down! I have unloved projects too, sewing projects that I just don't love and will not finish. I also have way too many projects on the go, no boredom here!
I love your latest sweet shawl, it's gorgeous!
Have a wonderful day!

From the Kitchen said...

Tanna: This is so beautiful. I'm think fall in Virginia!!

Best,
Bonnie

Chatty Crone said...

Okay the knitting part way above my head - but the beauty or the shawl and that it was hand made - is in my head and heart. Lovely. sandie

Shug said...

This is the exact reason why I can't see. Bothers me to no end to have an unfinished project, and when it comes to sewing...certain pieces require time.
Can't wait to see your finished piece...

TexWisGirl said...

that shawl is gorgeous! love the array of colors!

DAL - bwahaha!

Pammy Sue said...

Absolutely beautiful. I see why you were distracted by it. I'm the same way, only I'm not as good at finishing as you are. I have been better this year, although I do have several things going at once right now. Why do they always do that with yarn?? I see something I want to do using the same yarn as a picture, and it's discontinued! Can't tell you how many times that has happened. Will be a long time before we see shawl weather. Until then, just leave it on your dress form and stare at it. Ha.

Catherine said...


Dear Tanna, Beautiful shawl.
Blessings dear. Catherine xo

Bonnie said...

Tanna, you have the best sense of humor and great way of wording things. I know exactly what you mean about busy living life. You do so much that shows pat yourself on the back several times!!!!

It is a blessing to have so many interests and things to do you don't get bored.

You'll finish the unloved this winter I am sure. Summer has too many distractions and longer days. I always appreciate your sweet comments to me. We are soul sisters except I can't knit or play golf.

kathy b said...

Oh dear now you've got me chasing rabbits!

I LOVE that pattern . And a chunky weight lace pattern is perfect. I think i have the perfect yarn....

I too never have enough time for all the things I want to do . Maybe that is the source of my recent ......uneasiness. Now that the weather is nice I want to do EVERYTHING. Too much TV time at this house;what with the hockey stanley cup playoffs.....
I need folks in my house to watch less TV.

Now youve got me thinking

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Ode to the unloved and the UFOs... we all have them!

podso said...

Don't you know how frustrating that wasted time is looking for things we can't remember where they are? Oh my. if there was something else we could do at the same time so it would not be such a waste.

Another beautiful shawl. I see why you were drawn to the yarn.

Sandy said...

Oh.my.goodness. Love at first sight...the colors, style, and I can ALMOST feel the softness. I want it bad.

Mereknits said...

I am thinking this is pretty gosh darn gorgeous, and I am also thinking I might just have to make it. How much yardage do you think you used?
Meredith

Tanna said...

Meredith, I had a total of 330 yards. It is a chunky weight. Hope this helps. blessings ~ tanna

Anonymous said...

Ha, ha...Tanna, I know just what you mean! My mind and body want to race on to the next thing but refocusing and recharging seem to take a bit more time than they used to! And as always, another lovely knit.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh goodness, there you go again with yet another beautiful project.

I love this. The yarn is beautiful. If only I could get my knitting MoJo back....one day perhaps.

Wishing you a most wonderful day filled with many blessings dear friend.

karen said...

beautiful shawl and fringe too! Wow! You know frodo chases rabbits all the time, I think you have something in common with him :)

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

Go Tanna.....
and I'm just worried about being in the middle of 3 books..

ruzzel01 said...

Beautiful scarf.


north bergen

Mary Bergfeld said...

What gorgeous colors, Tanna. You have made a production line of your hobby. I've never known anyone who can turnout so many lovely things as you do in such a short period of time. I am truly in awe. I hope your weekend is off to a great start. Blessings...Mary

SouthernHeart said...

Gorgeous! I love the rich jewel tones. Right now I'm busy sewing for granddaughters, but - one of these days - I should take a knitting class and try again. You inspire me.

Blessings,
Dianne

no spring chicken said...

LOL! :) I just call it my happy place. I figure if I can't remember something... it wasn't worth remembering. I suppose that can lead me on a rabbit trail or two of my own. I loved the title and the gist of your post... and the shawl. Thanks for sharing the pattern. I may just be brave enough soon!

Blessings, Debbie

Jen Price said...

I'm a finisher, too. I can't stand unfinished projects! That shawl is fabulous!

Debbie said...

I can relate to The Unloved. I have several starts which keep getting pushed down in my "basket" for the sake of rabbit trails.

But now, your adventure chasing rabbits turned out just beautifully!

Stitchfork said...

Want to chase another rabbit Tanna? Later this summer Pittsburgh is going to yarn bomb an entire city bridge spanning the river! Knit the Bridge!
xo
Cathy

Donna said...

So, just because I like you so much and want to help out...when you finish The Unloved, you can send it me so you never ever ever have to look at it again! Just trying to help.... :-)
Love you! d.

Christine said...

Love your enthusiasm!

Catherine Holman said...

I never have time for boredom either! I love this shawl! It amazes me how fast you finish a knitting project. I've been working on the same infinity scarf for several months.

Amanda said...

I had to laugh at the knitting enabler/addict comment. I can see how that would unfold to be true!

I knew from that first picture that you were going to tell us how soft that yarn was. I could almost feel it in the photograph. Heavenly!

steph said...

i hate to tell you, friend, but you are quite the enabler yourself!!! (such beautiful things you make usually steer me away from my project of the moment into unknown territory!!!)
I must admit, though, if I find something that I thought I would love and just don't .... it gets frogged rather than finished. (I'm a great frogger!!!)

Marie said...

What a beautiful shawl! The yarn is perfect. I don't know how anyone can be bored either. I am disabled and in most of the time and there are not enough hours in the day to day all I want to do. My doctor wanted to know if I was depressed from not being able to get out and I told him that I don't have time to get depressed. I always loved seeing your beautiful work.
Marie

Judy S. said...

Great post, Tanna, and oh so true! Love the latest shawl, and know how easy it is to get distracted. (am eyeing your pattern now......um, thanks!) I don't get bored either!

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