Friday, November 30, 2007

Friday Frogging Frenzy

In the ongoing effort to clear out my UFOs and WIPs, I've decided that any project that

  1. I don't love knitting
  2. I don't think will fit or
  3. I'm just not sure about
will need to be frogged.

And today is F-Day. Frogging Frenzy Friday.

First on the lily pad is a blanket I started for Charlie.

It was with Lion Homespun from my stash, and less than one row in I realized I hated knitting with this yarn. I soldiered on, but didn't get very far. Then I put it down and haven't touched it in weeks. I thought about it, and Charlie really couldn't care less about a hand knit blanket. I'm sure I'll still make him one some day, but it will be out of yarn I love to knit. I want happy vibes in his blanket. So, rip . . . rip . . . rip.

The next project to make the leap from WIP back to stash really hurt me. It was my Pillars of Atlantis socks.

I love the pattern, love the yarn even more, and love the sock so much. But it was coming out way too small. After finally facing up to that fact, the only option was to rip. Both the pattern and the yarn will be paired up with better partners some day.

The last project to take a plunge into the frog pond was my Snowflake Shawl.

To be honest, I really cast this on because I wanted to knit the Casino Shawl but thought it was too hard for me. I later decided to give Casino a try, and put Snowflake aside. I hadn't knit much on it, maybe an hour or so, and it seems best just to let it go. Maybe I'll start it again some day. Maybe I won't.

Believe it or not, it feels good to have ripped out three projects. It's very freeing. Hopefully I can resist the urge to cast on six more now!!

20 comments:

Theresa said...

I may be doing some of this this weekend. I'm a little afraid it will set off a frenzy of starting new things, though!

jessica said...

You brave and dareing girl! Good for you... there are probably some things in my wip stash that I should be doing that to. I think I'm too chicken.

Anonymous said...

Empowerment!! I love it!

PS. I must say that your little Charlie just touches my heart so much. I am sooo happy Charlie has someone like you to love!!

Alisha said...

As hard as it is I think it is great to do. You'll find a project for the yarn that you'll enjoy and finish!!

Gingersnaps with Tea... said...

Good for you! Better frogged than niggling away in the WIP basket!

Julie said...

I know exactly what you mean. It's like a weight lifting off your shoulders. I enjoy a frogging now and then too. :)

Sonya said...

You crazy knitter, you!! I bet it felt good. I have some projects that need to be frogged too.

Ragan Knits etc... said...

AHHHHH! Oh my!!!!
Phew, you are brave! And, that takes a lot of willpower there! To say, that you are going to FROG projects that are not going just right and then...do it. Especially those lovely socks. I love those.
I hope that you will now move on to projects you love more and will complete. They will be great.
WAHHHH....I can't wait to see what you make with that lovely pink yarn.
Have a wonderful weekend...free from those bad projects...it must have been hard at first but feel good now.
:-)

Dipsy Doodle said...

Oy - that's a lot of ripping that you've done there! But kudos to you for having the strength to actually do it - there's a lot of work in such projects and it's sure a heartbreaking experience beginning to rip. Then again, whast use is there for these projects when you know you probably won't continue working on it, you won't ever enjoy the yarn, you won't ever wear that particular garment? Ripping is the best thing to clear up one's WIP-basket, and I'm sure there's a lot that you can do with the yarns that you'll really, really enjoy! And I *so* understand that it felt good after you've done it - it's like a weight's lifted from your chest, right?

Theresa said...

Email your mailing address so I can send your prize.

Melissa said...

I need to have a day for the same thing. Good for you, I bet it gives you a feeling of relief.

Ariel said...

Good for you! I love the feeling of letting go of projects that just aren't making you happy. Otherwise they just linger in your UFO basket and make you feel guilty for not knitting them. Much better to frog!

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Awww, poor little Snowflake! But you did the right thing...

Anonymous said...

Good for you! Now that you're free of those knits you can cast on for somthing you love!

BTW I love the cat and wip pictures in your last post!

Rebecca said...

Hmmmmmmm....it's freeing, eh? I may have to institute a Frogging Frenzy Friday in my house, too!

MissyJoon said...

iGood for you! Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip and onto bigger and better things!

Sourire11 said...

Good for you! Ripping can be so liberating... and I'm sure that Charlie is not deprived of soft places to sleep!

Sarah said...

Good for you! Doesn't a fresh start feel great?

Heide said...

Congratulations on your frogging. That takes a lot of courage and it is indeed liberating. I'm sure that Charlie is content on any blanket as long as it's placed near you while you're knitting, etc. My favorite "manly" hat is the free pattern from the Needle Beatle called the Seaman's Watch Cap (I think that's the name). It is very quick to knit, very basic and can be easily modified by yarn changes, etc.

Kyle William said...

good for you - I know it's hard to rip out things... but it was probably the right thing to do... and I KNOW you feel better now that all those wip's aren't staring you down.. .I'm actually thinking of doing the same thing with all the random partly done and never-to-be-completed sweaters that are haunting me in my WIP pile... hmmmm you're inspiring me to rip too.. :)

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