19 January 2022

If At First You Don't Succeed ...

As the saying goes: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.  I am generally willing to try a few more times, but there are occasions when I have decided something just isn't meant to be/to happen and I give up and move on.

Which nearly happened with my latest knitting project, the first thing I have started in 2022. Late last year, I decided that I should try knitting a cardigan.  I love cardigans, but the ones I have are either very lightweight or not really suitable for wearing outside the house (you know, those "fave" ones you put on when you are cold and they last for years and they look terrible but they are THE BEST).  I had some worsted weight yarn that I wanted to use, and so I started poking around for a pattern.  At first, I was going to try the Catbells Cardigan, but then decided that it was just a bit to involved for my first go-round; then, I fell in love with the Bookworm Cardigan (Ravelry link, just so you know), but decided that since the yarn I was planning to use was a bit dark the pattern wouldn't show that well.  Then - and I don't remember how I came across it - I saw the Wildhorse Cardigan (another Ravelry link), and decided that was the one!

Or was it?  I read through the pattern and thought I understood it.  So I cast on, knit the set-up row and then got to Row 1 and ... WTF?  I followed the directions, but it just didn't work out.  So ripped out what I had and started over - three separate times!  It just didn't make sense to me.  So I sent an e-mail to the designer, who immediately responded.  Which was very kind of her, and I sat down again to give it a shot and once again. NOPE.  I knew it was supposed to work, and trust me, the actual instructions seemed incredibly clear but I just could not get it.  So I sent her another e-mail, and added in that e-mail that I realized she was not there to hold my hand every step of the way, so if she didn't really have the time or desire to help, I understood and would put the project away for another time.  Because I really do know that sometimes I can leave something for a while, come back, and immediately understand how it works.

Well, not only did she write back again - but she included a drawing to show me *exactly* what she meant!  She said in the e-mail that "I really want you to be able to knit this cardigan."  And you know what?  With the drawing, the light bulb went on in my head and it all made sense.  I managed to get it going, and not only did it make sense, but I kept wondering why it had puzzled me so much.  I'm defintely writing back so that the designer knows how much I appreciate her help.

For reasons I will never understand, I can't add the photo to this post, so I will give you the Instagram link so you can see what I have so far.  Clearly I'm gonna need a longer needle!

Reading-wise, I have two books going.  This is my read-at-lunch book at work:


This book was originally published in 1957, written by Ruth Adam, and it is so enjoyable!  It's also not that long, but when you can only read in half-hour increments, the going is slow.  

My reading-at-home book is this one, which I think I may be the last person on earth who hadn't already read it:


It's much longer than the above book, but I'm really enjoying it, even if - like most books set in this time - I'm just really upset and angry about Nazis.  I'm a bit more than halfway through.  Not surprisingly, they are planning to start filming a limited series of it on Netflix in March of this year. I'm glad I'm reading it first, because a) I almost always like any book better than the movie/dramatization, and b) I hate it when book covers get changed to reflect the dramatizations, even when people I like are in them.  It's one of my pet peeves.

So there you go.  I'm joining Kat and the others for Unraveled Wednesday, so check out what everyone else has been up to lately!

10 comments:

Nance said...

I am the other person in the world who hasn't read All The Light. I read the synopsis, and it's just not a time period I want to read within for pleasure. So, now that you're reading it, I am The Only One.

I get what you mean about the book cover thing. I feel the same way. We are Sentimental Originalists, I guess.

Bonny said...

I'm glad that the lightbulb went off for you and that the designer was so helpful! It looks like you are off to a good start. I'm not a sweater knitter, but am now knitting a cardigan for the first time in three decades. I've set it aside to finish a Musselburgh hat, but I hope to actually finish the sweater and wear it this winter.

Ellen D. said...

I thought that book was terrific and even enjoyed the latest by that author "Cloud Cuckoo Land".
Thanks for mentioning that Netflix will make a series of All the light... I will watch for that.

Vera said...

I like the look of that Wildhorse Cardigan a lot. Can't wait to see your version. I read "All the Light" and thought it was good...I've read better, but I've certainly read worse. The other book looks like it could be fun - I will see if my library has it.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

That's a nice pattern and your yarn looks absolutely luscious!!!
You're making me want to start a cardigan...

Kim in Oregon said...

The color of the sweater looks to be gorgeous.

I haven't read the book, but my Tim has (and he is not a reader). He said it was great. I'm just--not that into WW2 books.

Araignee said...

What an adventure you had with that cardi! I've run into patterns that have done that to my also but I've never been brave enough to contact the designer. Too many of them trash people who do that on Twitter which I think is unprofessional and very petty. I make a note of them and never buy their patterns.
I did read that book and enjoyed it a long while ago but I have to say with all that's going on in the world I have a hard time watching movies or reading books when Nazis are involved anymore. The parallels that I've seen in some old movies lately is terrifying. They should all be required viewing to remind folks that none of it ended well for anyone least of all the Nazis and the people of Germany who suffered greatly after the war.

Dee said...

That designer sounds like an awesome person. Glad you are well on your way now.


Steve and I both read All the Light We Cannot See. We both liked it. I wouldn't count it among my favorites, but it was a nice read.

Jane said...

That cardigan looks very wearable. How wonderful of the designer to help you out. Most of the time knitters are just the best kind of people. I love the owl photo in the banner. Did you see him?

Kym said...

I'm so glad you're able to knit the cardigan! It will be such a nice addition to your wardrobe; very wearable. And I loved All the Light We Cannot See. It is long, but also quite good. Worth the hype. XO