Monday, August 20, 2012

Process or Product?

I certainly enjoy the process of knitting.  The process of the knitting itself, the relaxation, the peace, the enjoyment that comes from just sitting and knitting, contemplating, meditating, thinking.  

So when I saw a mistake in this girl's cardigan, way back in the process, I only freaked out just a little.  Just a little.  Sigh.  If you look closely, you will notice that the third row grouping of "lace" bobble-dealies is shorter than in the other rows. I totally skipped a few rows which made that pattern group shorter than the other rows. 


If you know me, you know I'm a bit of a perfectionist.  And it's that quality in me that makes me care also about the finished product.  I almost left the sweater alone, almost decided to ignore the glaring mistake, almost continued on.  But I didn't.  I frogged out the entire sweater as shown in the picture above, and I started over.  And in the process I decided to knit the sweater one size smaller.  

And you know, I like the second sweater so much better.  So is it the process or the product that matters most?  For me, I think it's both.  

Pictures soon.
Ruth
Pattern: Make Mine Strawberry


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6 comments:

  1. ChristephiAugust 20, 2012

    Your thought process sounds very much like mine! I love to knit (or sew) for the process, but the product definitely comes into the picture and I most likely would have hemmed-and-hawed and then ripped out the whole thing in the end just like you. Beautiful yarn, by the way!!

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    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 05, 2012

      Thanks, I am liking the yarn so much more as the colors knit out than I did just on the skein.

      Delete
  2. CindyAugust 21, 2012

    I used to be a plow ahead kind of person and sew through a minor mistake but then it would bug the heck out of me on the finished piece. It's like the little mistake has a glowing neon sign screaming "Look at me!".hehe So, I've started going back and correcting those mistakes and I'm a lot happier with the end result!

    This sweater is going to be lovely!

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  3. TammyAugust 21, 2012

    I'm a mix of process and product. I haven't been regularly knitting these days, but I suppose it must more process than product when it comes to knitting because I have two scarves which have been finished for months - all they need is to be blocked.

    For sewing, I'd say it is an equal mix. Nothing drives me crazier than to see "tutorials" on how to sew and they are doing everything WRONG. LOL

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  4. Karen AndreolaAugust 25, 2012

    This little sweater has beautiful autumn shades and I like the patterned part in the center very much. I've never seen the pattern before and I've been making sweaters and vests for more than ten years. I have to hand it to you for ripping out and beginning again. A fresh start can actually be invigorating.
    Gorgeous.
    Karen A.

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    Replies
    1. RuthSeptember 05, 2012

      Thanks for the comment, Karen. The pattern is relatively new (I think), but I can tell you that I will definitely make it again.

      Delete

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