Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Ophelia frogged.

Ophelia, a tragic woman who falls victim to men because of her own beauty and ends up dead. Perhaps there was a clue in the name given to this piece.


There was nothing for it. It wasn't a decision made lightly or easily, actually it was downright torturous but there's only so much stretching and pulling that yarn can endure before it has to be admitted. Only so many contortions of the torso and warping of bodily parts, can be physically endured, twisting this way and that all in vain. Ophelia didn't fit me. No matter which way I tugged or turned. It didn't even fit my 16 year old. Unbelievably, inconceivably, heartbreakingly the darn thing was too small. How could it be possible!! I was convinced aliens had been at mischief here. Or the knitting gremlins. It couldn't be my fault, no way.
However there was little evidence of kniting gremlins, nothing green and slimey in the vicinity. Even less evidence of aliens. The bright lights in the garden turned out to be the solar lamps. Perhaps my evil twin had done a swap, but then if she was my twin she'd be the same size. I was running out of options. There was nothing left but to admit I'd done something somewhere, and it was wrong.



I didn't want to admit that I have either put on a heap of weight since I started knitting it, and as I can't see behind me, there is the possibility that I am dragging around several more kilos than the front would suggest. It had to be tension. But I always do a tension square. Honest I do! Sometimes. If I can be bothered.
Ok I admit,I didn't check my tension. Why would I waste valuable knitting time making up a piece of knitting that I'm just going to measure. Why indeed!! Well I know now that had I spent half an hour with that swatch I wouldn't have spent several hours frogging my beautiful Ophelia, nor would I be about to spend several weeks re knitting it on larger needles. I could have cried. Really I could. It was so beautiful adn I was so looking forward to wearing it everywhere. The disappointment was only mildly offset by Galaxy chocolate which costs a bomb as it has to be imported and is only sold in specialist shops.
But this is not a blog to dwell on misfortune. I am all for positive thinking. I am positive it upset me, but equally positive that it will look lovely when I finish it for the second time.
Elsewhere in my universe we had a movie day at home yesterday. The kids all made tickets and boxes for the popcorn, while my drama queen prepared and performed the opening adverts and trailers for upcoming films. We then watched The Water Horse in as close to darkness as we could manage while the sun streaming in through the closed windows. I wasn't allowed to knit as the girls said I wouldn't be able to knit in the cinema. They relented about halfway through and then I could enjoy the film. It was a sweet little film. Not a powerful enough ending for me. I wanted more of a ahh moment. Still the kids all enjoyed it and that's the main thing.
Also finished the white baby blanket, Peri thinks it's his and was quite willing to be tester of comfort and softness.



He was most reluctant to give it back to me so I could wash and block it. I am very lucky to have such a helpful cat. Nothing it seems is too much trouble for him.
I did manage to distract him with an offer of food long enough to photgraph it and then wash it. Sitting on top are the wound up balls from Ophelia.



Finished reading Wit's end, but have to admit I didn't really understand the plot. There was some mystery surrounding the main character's father and the fictional character that was named after him, but I couldn't tell you what it was. I enjoyed reading the book, drawn in by the writing style and the hope that it would all make sense to me at some point. Perhaps I should have stuck to my chick lit.

20 comments:

Ragged Roses said...

Oh the curse of Ophelia strikes again - poor you! Hope the Galaxy helped
KImx

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Sorry to hear about the untimely demise of Ophelia! Hope she is even better when she is reincarnated. The white baby blanket looks sweet and soft. We are watching a few movies too over the school holidays and saw "Dan in Real Life" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks". I got out voted on the Water Horse - maybe next time.

the mother of this lot said...

Oh Alison, what an end for the knitting! Please e-mail me your address and I will send you something to cheer you up!

motherofthislot@hotmail.com

Thimbleanna said...

Oooh Noooo! So sorry to hear about Ophelia. At least you have that cute finished baby blanket!

Jane said...

Oh dear poor you, still i hope the galaxy helps with your frogging/knitting looking forward to the holidays too. Jane x

Kitty said...

Oh crumbs :-( How disheartening. I'm sorry to hear you had to frog - but you know in your heart you'd have forever hated it for being too small.

My daughter loves Galaxy too! x

Elizabeth said...

I feel your pain with Ophelia. Nice to have another FO right on it's tail though.
You mean Peri can't keep the blanket?

LizzieJane said...

Galaxy chocolate my favorite, it costs a fortune here also.
It is such a shame about your knitting, all that time you put into it.
I have to say though your kitty looks very happy!

Sarah said...

Oh no I am so sorry to hear of this knitting catastrophe! I'm procrastinating about sewing up a sweater as I have an awful feeling it may be too small - fingers crossed not!! At least it was an enjoyable knit and I hope it isn't too painful second time around.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you had to frog Ophelia. I'm afraid I learned the importance of gauge the same way you did - though my project was a bit smaller. I had wanted to make my neice a diaper cover when she was just born. Halfway through I realized the cover would be large enough for a grown adult to wear. Now, I spend a lot of time with my swatches.

Just think, the 2nd time will go much more quickly.

E said...

Sorry to hear about Ophelia. I never swatch either, and have also ended up starting all over again because of it.

laura said...

At least you tryed!Looks like the cat is happy with it....
Love your scooter, good colour.
regards Laura

Knitty, Vintage and Rosy said...

Hi Allison:

Thanks so much for the visit to my blog.

So sorry to see your mishap with Ophelia. I do know what it feels like. I knit a sweater for my youngest, oh, about 3 years ago. It was pink yarn and by the time I figured out how to pick up stitches for the neckline (after frogging it half a dozen times) the yarn closely resembled pink dental floss.

And then, of course, it didn't fit.

But crochet is fun ;)

Lisa
Knitty, Vintage and Rosy

Willow said...

Oh dear. I'm so sorry. I will not tell you that recently I knitted two sleeves very different lengths, and didn't even notice while I was blocking. I haven't frogged yet. Still having temper tantrum.

I frog alot and have learned that if I get the yarn wet and hang it on a clothes hanger and put another on the bottom of the skein to weight it down, the yarn returns to near enough original unkinkiness.

Good luck next time around!

Lovely blanket, BTW.

Down on the Farm said...

I so much enjoyed reading your blog this a.m. I never know who is going to be the owner of whatever I make. I do make a gauge swatch these days (experience is the best teacher) but even the gauge is not always honest...so, we pass the garmet around to see who gets to keep it. Connie

Country Cottage Chic said...

Oh dear! It has to be the knitting gremlins (or perhaps your cat has been secretly knitting at night?)

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Oh. Oh. Oh. A moment of silence is needed. I'm so glad you had some chocolate to help you through this. But that's the attitude - must't let these little things get you down!

Sal said...

Hi there..I left you an award on my blog..Sal ;-)

Alaina said...

Ohhh...so sorry...

I never knit swatches either...perhaps I should start....

Love the kitty and the pretty blanket ;)

Firefly Nights said...

Poor Ophelia. I feel for you. I hope the chocolate helped.