The Process of Chamomile

A year ago I knit Chamomile for the first time.  I intentionally made her a little big as I didn't want the little roll around my waste to show.  Many of you know, the first of this year was rough for me. Back pain had me in its grip and I was able to do little except knit (and groan in agony).  I had no appetite and lost 20 lbs over 3 months. The weight has continued to drop and my body reshape because of weight training.  The determination to workout comes from the desire to never be so out of shape that I suffer with back pain again. The biggest problem with dropping weight is that all your favorite clothes no longer fit (and hopefully never will). Many of my beautiful sweaters are now too large and I'm unsure what to do with them.

Chamomile is one sweater I didn't want to give up, so I decided to frog and reknit her in a smaller size. The yarn, Rowan Summer Tweed, held up well to the process of ripping.  The yarn was skeined, tied together, carefully washed and air dried.  There was a bit of loss around the armscyes, as I cut into the knitted fabric and had to discard the small pieces of yarn that resulted. To ensure there would be enough yarn, new skeins were purchased,  and as luck would have it, the dye lots were the same! 
The process of reknitting has been up and down.  Other projects have been more enjoyable, the yarn easier to use, the desire to knit on them greater.  But Chamomile did get a little attention from time to time and finally, the body is complete.  The fit is much better than the first time and it excited me enough to give her more knitting time. This past weekend while in a knitting spurt, I knit one sleeve. It worked up quickly because the old frogged and washed yarn is soft and easier to knit. The new yarn is hard and causes pain in my arm if I knit too long.  I am gentle with myself and will be very careful not to cause damage while I continue the second sleeve.  My hope is to have her ready to photograph this weekend, with the backdrop of golden aspen trees, since Chamomile is the perfect fall color.  A week and a half ago, while we hiked through an aspen forest, the leaves had not started to change.  This past weekend the same aspens were in their full golden glory.  It happened so quickly!  I hope the rain doesn't knock the leaves down so that only bare branches are left for my backdrop.

Comments

[Kathleen]

I was surprised when you chose to knit that again. I have read many complaints about knitting with that Summer Tweed. Kevin had gotten me a skein of it to try. I just don't care for it. But it is lovely to look at.

[Marina]

Oh, my. I need to grow up. Big or small, they stay in my cupboard as one day, I'll be the right size.

[Kim]

Looking foward to seeing Chamomile, especially against the foliage :-)). You have the patience of a saint, grrl!!

[Carole]

Good for you for having the patience to fix it and make it right. After seeing Norma's Chamomile in person, I know yours will be gorgeous, too. Love the color.

[Cassie]

Wow, now that's determination. I can't even knit one sweater and you're frogging and reknitting to change the size. Admirably thrifty, you are.

[Cara]

Good for you! So glad it's working out. I hope the leaves stay intact for the photoshoot!

[Teri]

The color of Chamomile is just perfect. Sorry that the yarn is hard on your arms and hands. Slow and easy does it, although you're not slow at anything! :)

[Lolly]

Perfect--can't wait to see her with the autumn leaves as background!

[Vicki]

Oooh, that's going to be a perfect fall sweater!

[Colleen]

That's a great sweater, in a great colorway. Looking forward to seeing a remodeling shot.

[claudia]

A new Chamomile for a healthier Margene! Yeah!

[Isela]

It is great that you are going to re-knit it again. I can't wait to see it finished. :)

[June]

I know what you mean about the clothes fitting issue! Good for you, girlfriend! Here's hoping that you never need the "big clothes" again!

[regina]

Your tenacity and perseverance are inspiring. I don't think I would have the "stick-to-itiveness" or patience to re-knit a sweater, but I'm sure the result will be well worth it. It's a beautiful sweater and the colourway is stupendous! Like you, I'm so NOT ready for the trees to shed their leaves (though I would like to stop getting pelted with acorns).

[Wanda]

It really is a beautiful color. Like I said before, Summer Tweed comes in some of the most gorgeous colors, but you know how I feel about it. I am glad that since you are reknitting it, and washed it that the washed yarn feels softer to knit. Once you put all of it together and give it a good soak, I bet the sweater will feel as good as it looks. Good for you for losing the weight and sticking to your fitness goals! I see nothing wrong with reknitting a sweater that you love so much to fit in a smaller size, that's a great reason to reknit!

[PJ]

WOW!...now that is sooooo inspiring!!

[Juno]

There's process...and there's process. I'm impressed.

[Lisa in Oregon]

me too on the back pain issue. My back "went out" for the first time 4 years ago...but I have still not gotten into the shape I want to be to prevent it happening whenever it wants.

Good for you Margene, you encourage me. :)

[Laura]

I've been there with the back pain, it was my most productive knitting month ever. I can tell when I've skipped the gym too much, the back lets me know with a twinge or two of pain.

Love that Summer Tweed! Mom's right, nothing good ever comes easy, and that Tweed is my weakness. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've done with it.

[Lauren]

Good for you grrl!

[Heather]

Good luck with it! Good idea to frog it. Sometimes frogging is therapeutic I think.

[Kim/Chef Messy]

You are an inspiration. I'd happily get rid of all my sweaters to be thinner. Maybe even my scarves too. Well, MAYBE....

[Chelle]

Margene - Summer Tweed is it? Well, it sounds from your posting that it's somwhat hard to work with yarn - but your resulting sweater is beautiful. The color will be so lovely on you and perfect for fall.

I wouldn't want back trouble as motivation for losing weight, but I sure would love to drop 20 lbs myself. Chelle

[Kathy]

That's great! I'm sure that you will really love Chamomile (the Second Act) in its new size. It's of no use sitting, unworn, in your closet.

[debbie]

looking forward to the finished chamomile. and i complain about frogging a half-done sock! you are an inspiration to me!

[wool winder]

We really don't have autumn around here. Hoping you can share some color with us.

[Norma]

You are going to be very pleased that you redid it. I'm loving mine. It's a simple, casual and flattering style that is so fun to wear. You're my knitting idol!

[Norma]

Oh, and I forgot to mention how comfortable the fabric is against the skin. Breathable and light.

[sandy]

Did I tell you, et, how beeeeyutiful your fall mountain pictures are? No, I don't believe I stopped to say it out loud. Or out words, anyway. Thank you for those. they made my day.
And. Is there any better reason to have to reknit a sweater? Because of weight loss?
I think not.
:)

[Tanya]

What a great idea to reknit your favorite sweater patterns. And here's to ending the year in much better shape than how you started it! Yippee!

Tanya

[Eilene]

That is wonderful you are redoing her. I totally understand what you mean about losing weight & not being able to wear your favorite clothes. You can always buy new store bought clothes...but not being able to wear the clothes you hand knit is so sad! That is great that you are reknitting the one you love so much. ;-)