starting over.

I bought the yarn and pattern to make the Sundrop Cardigan when I was at Webs last year in May. I knit the back panel, one front panel, and, upon completion of the second panel, realized that my pieces were not going to fit together. I had counted inches, not rows or pattern repeats, and everything was going to be off. Seaming it looked like it would be a nightmare. So what did I do? I folded it up nearly and put it in a drawer, where it sat for six months....

I dug it out recently because I wanted to finish it and I knew, unfortunately, that this would mean starting over. What a pain!!! But I am so glad I did. I cast on for all three panels and am knitting the whole thing in one swoop right up to the armholes. No seams to worry about! I also went and made the button band and button holes a lot smaller because I did not really like how they looked when I knit them the first time (and added an extra pattern repeat to compensate). I really enjoy working in this stitch pattern and, honestly, I don't mind knitting it twice! Now, if I can only finish it and wear it with a cute summer dress, because the weather's getting awfully nice here in southern New Mexico!

So, lessons learned:

• count rows, not inches.
  
• it's okay to give projects a 'time out'.
• having to start over is better than finishing something that you know you will never wear/use.

Hope this advice comes in handy for you, too!

best wishes!

The Bailout Plan 24" x 18" Oil on Panel

I failed to mention that the lovely video I shared on Friday was brought to my attention by the one, the only, Heather Neill! and what better a day to introduce her than today, her birthday!

Happy Birthday Heather!

See her amazing work on her website and read her musings and inspirations on her blog.

Mother's Darts 36" x 24" Oil on Panel

I suggest sitting down with a cup of tea and browsing through some of Heather's paintings online. And if you ever do find yourself in the Granary Gallery on Martha's Vineyard, take the time to study her work in person. Her paintings are rich, detailed, exquisitely mastered magical realism, each one accompanied by a piece of writing by Heather herself. Sometimes it's a story, a meaningful poem, a bit of inspiration, or a biographical reflection. The words always work well with the paintings, though the paintings stand just as strong without them. Heather is a very thoughtful artist and she doesn't let one detail go overlooked. And she never forgets her sense of humor!

I hope you enjoy her work as much as I do!

natural.

Here's some creative knitting inspiration for your weekend! I'll be back in a few days with some finished projects and follow up ideas from my last post.

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P.S. I am marking down all the sewing patterns in my etsy shop to $3. Please check out what's there or pass this along if someone you know loves to sew! thanks.