09 September 2010

Well That Didn't End Well

Dear Pickle Cardigan ~

Remember when we first met, back in 2008?  A beige version of you was displayed in the window of Loop, right down the street from my house.  I kept looking at it every time I walked by, and finally decided that I needed to make one for myself.  So I bought the yarn, in a beautiful green color called Pickle, and even though it took another year, I got started at last. 

And I really enjoyed your company.  Loved the yarn, the pattern was easy to remember once I got started, and I could make a fair amount of progress in any given evening.  Sure there were fits and starts along the way, but we stuck with each other, and as time went by, I was sure we were meant to be together.

You may recall that I have not made many sweaters, and do not have the world's most accomplished finishing skills.  But I was determined to make you a masterpiece.  I even bought special buttons for you this past May at the Maryland Sheep & Wool festival. 

It's true, I did ignore you for long stretches of time.  But when I would come back, I always had the impression from you that it was OK.  Real friends don't need to be in touch constantly, do they?

So I would like to know now, oh Pickle Cardigan, where did I go wrong?  So much knitting, measuring, and blood, sweat, and tears, and you do this to me?  I haven't gained any weight, and certainly not enough to make you suddenly so terribly small on me.  I cannot bear to spend the time to finish you, adding on the neckline and button bands, because you have crushed my spirit.  And I don't know why.  Or how.

You. Are. Way. Too. Small.  And I am really at a loss, because all along, you were acting as if you really were made for me.  When did you change?   Is it my fault?  It must be, but I have racked my brain for days, and I cannot figure out how things went so poorly at the end.

Now we must part.  I am no longer interested in you, and have no desire to take you apart and try to fix you.  Perhaps another knitter somewhere will be interested in you and your extra skeins left over of yarn, either for another project, or to fit them.  They are more than welcome to you.  But we are done.  Period.

Just so you know, though, you are not going to convince me that I cannot successfully knit a sweater for myself.  Because I do not want you and the terrorists to have the satisfaction of winning forever.

I may be down, but I'm not out.   I do, however, hope that you will be, and soon.

Yours sincerely,
Bridget

Failed Pickle Cardigan
2008-2010

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ooooooh --- a "Dear Pickle" letter. Never easy.

Lorena said...

If I had a nickle for every time this has happened to me ....

Jenn said...

I think the yarn has it out for us this week.

(A "Dear Pickle' letter. HA!)

Quilting Mama said...

Poor Pickle sweater - what happened did you meet with the gremlins and shrink during those times of "rest" in the bag.

So sorry it didn't work out better.

sprite said...

Did you wash your swatch before you measured it? Maybe your cardigan will grow to the right size if you block it?

How frustrating!

Marie said...

You will rise above this, just as I will someday make my husband that sweater that I promised him before we got married.

Wendy said...

So, I just looked at the pattern online, and here's what I think - I think the sweater fits fine, but it's just not your style. I think you did everything right, and you shouldn't look at this like a failure -- I think this is a "those crazy kid's" sweater that's supposed to be worn too small - and that in actuality, you are the complete SUCCESS for determining this just isn't for you. Try another sweater - and pickle Pickle.

knitseashore said...

Oh no! Some projects are just cursed, aren't they? I hope you have a happier one next.

I really enjoyed your previous post with the book reports. I've been cruising through books too, but need to get back to some knitting.

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Ah, Bridget, I'm really disappointed for you. But sometimes you just have to know when to call it quits and if you are no longer feeling the love and you don't think the size will work out, then you made the right decision. It's very pretty yarn, I would frog it and knit a nice shoulder scarf for yourself.

I think tonight it's time you get pickled and frog that baby!

Hey, how about those Irish????

Carrie #K said...

It's probably the gauge's fault. It lies.

It does look nice in the picture. I suppose it was too much work to get any satisfaction from dousing it in gasoline and lighting it on fire?

Brigitte said...

Yeah. I suck at getting the right tension with lace garments. They all come out too small, don't fit over the girls, and generally sap my sanity and will to continue on. Well, maybe frogging will make you feel better? Or just do like I did - buy a big honkin' Rubbermaid container, and throw it in. You won't hear it screaming that way.