Expectations

The weekend was rather productive.  While not feeling up to par, I was well enough to knit and knit I did. A bit of knitting was accomplished on nearly every piece that is currently in progress.  Sally’s gauntlet worked to the point that I could stockinette away while at our Stitch ‘n Bitch party last night.  During the party I had expected to make more progress than actually happened, however.  The second Voodoo was finally cast on properly and is in my purse ready for any unexpected waiting.  Jaywalkers also grew faster than expected and I unexpectedly cast on a new sock, too.  Are you catching the theme of this post?

When I first started Rosarie my expectation was that a pattern repeat (which is 38 rows-not to mention nearly 300 stitches around) could be knit each week.  That would mean the body would be finished up to the armscyes in three weeks.  By Friday of the first week I could see that this expectation was part of my 'delusions of grandeur' problem (which seems to be ongoing and unchanging) and it was an impossible goal. I already knew I did not have the ability to knit at Wendy speed, but delusions can create an alternate reality of expectations. It was only by sitting ALL DAY Sunday that this high expectation was met. 

Last week was quiet with more nights at home than usual, and to top that off, there was the rare chance to sit all day Sunday and knit for a long period of time. (I'd rather play in the mountains on Sunday if possible).  In fact, I sat while doing laundry (the best way to take much needed breaks and stretch from time to time) and knit for 6 hours on Rosarie. She now measures just over 5".

As expected the colors are rich, vibrant and blend together beautifully.  Every row bring more depth to the pattern. However, I will be working to keep my expectations in check and let Rosarie grow as she can without attachment to the end.  It is, after all, the process of knitting that is important and not the number of inches finished.

That said, unexpectedly there hasn't been any forward progress on Rosarie since Sunday.  In this sea of too much to knit, the siren call of lace has been strong and taken me off track.  Seaweed’s (aptly named?) simple 6 row repeat will forever be etched into my brain, but that has made her a delightful companion.  She grows so quickly and has now reached the 3' mark (unblocked). She warms my legs, as she covers my lap, and the process of knitting her rich soft wool continues.

As a public service announcement I give you one more reason to knit socks. (You need one, right?)  Last year there was Sock It To Me. This year the Purling P’s are hosting 200SOX (thanks Janet for the link).  Sock mania will continue indefinitely.

Comments

[Laura]

You might think you're not knitting at "Wendy speed" but she's typically only knitting one thing at a time! And I don't think she probably replies to nearly as many comments on her blog posts as you do. You got an ENORMOUS amount of knitting done compared to a lady with two little babies running her ragged! By the way, I'm in love with Rosarie and her colors. :)

[jessie]

The colors in Rosarie are absolutely gorgeous. Knit on!

[Tracy]

Hurray for socks! I think I might have to go find a certain Starmore of my own that's been lying in its box since before Christmas. Her yarn is so soft isn't it?

[Laurie]

How to make lemonade when handed lemons: knit up a beautiful storm when laid low by a virus. Good stuff. I need to get my Birdsfoot scarf out and started....you are always an inspiration.

[Wendy]

Yeah -- what Laura said -- I only knit one thing at a time. :-)

Your Rosarie is looking fab!

[Lolly]

Sock mania! Love it ;) I wonder if Socktoberfest will be passé now...

[Susan]

Rosarie is just gorgeous. I'm tempted to not go to the link to see the finished product so that I can watch it grow here on your blog and be surprised.

I know what you mean about needing to have a stitch 'n bitch appropriate project on the needles. I finally pysched myself up to go to our Sunday morning SnB, but I finished what I was working on Saturday evening and knew that there was no way that I could socialize and start something new. I did learn from the experience, though, and I am already plotting what I can start now and have ready to knit when I have my hair appointment this Saturday.

[Cara]

Rosarie is inspirational. I want to try two color (or eight color as the case may be) knitting this year for sure.

Oh and THANK YOU for the 200SOCKS info - I downloaded the button last week sometime during jaywalker updates, but lost the blog info. And I haven't been able to find it since! I've already got three socks to add to to the tally! ;-)

[Cara]

You know what - I'm thinking of something different - this KAL type thing was also called 200Socks - but it was an attempt for knitters around blogland to actually 2006 socks for the year. Every sock counts. If anyone knows about this and where to find it - please let me know. I've got three socks done already!

[Chris]

I think I did catch that theme - unexpected knitting! :) Ah well, it's all lovely and you're making progress on all of it, whether it's quite as you planned or not. Maybe Rosarie resists rushing.

[Kathleen]

Rosarie really is stunning. And I love the colors. I love how you go back and forth between "the process" and the need to complete things. Complete. It's an interesting word. :) It's good to let Rosarie grow at her own pace--she will be well worth it in the end.

[Jackie]

OHHH, AHHH - Rosarie is soooo beautiful! I would have to knit slowly just to savor the beauty.

[Judy]

I love Rosarie. The colors are a delight. Actually, I am really having fun watching Seaweed grow. I'm enjoying the somple patterning. Guess it's another for the list. ahhh... the list.

[PumpkinMama]

Rosarie is just so pretty!

[Kim]

Rosarie is stunning!! I'm seeing a Seaweed stole in my future....every time you post a picture I fall in love with it again. So pretty!

[Dene]

Bravo on the Rosarie! I can't wait to see the finished project :)

[Zarah]

Rosarie is looking beautiful -- I think you have the right idea, just enjoy the knitting -- don't try to rush to the end. I think I heard someone wise once say something about "the process"?

[Martha]

Oooooh, those colors! I love the way they blend. It looks like variegated yarn, not color changes. Bad sentence, hope you get the gist.

[Norma]

Everything here is just taking my breath away. You think you don't have speed? You're crazy, woman. You are just CHURNING things out. I'm sitting over here wishing I were doing it, but not!

[Cassie]

I'm not sure that socks were in any danger of going out of vogue, but any reason to knit more of them is always welcome. Seaweed looks fabulous, and the 'siren song of lace' is a great way to put it. I know what the AS yarns are like, and every time you show a picture of that stole, I just want to touch it.

[--Deb]

Ooh, those colors really ARE beautiful! So deep and rich!

[Snow]

Rosarie is so lovely, Margene! "Wendy speed" is a fine thing for Wendy, but who really cares about speed? We knit because we love to knit, more than anything else.

[Beth S.]

I know Zen is your preferred philosophy, but that bit about letting Rosarie grow "without attachment to the end" is right out of the Bhagavad Gita. :-)

Rosarie is going to be gorgeous. The colors are typical St*rm*re genius--I love how they darken, then lighten again as you complete a motif. O to have color sense like that!

[JessaLu]

I think every knitter is delusional at one point or another in their knitting 'career' ;o)

Everything looks wonderful as always!

Maybe I've overlooked it, but I'm asking anyway - what yarn are you using for the jaywalkers?

[Amy Boogie]

Speed? It's all about the process right? And delusions are definitely a part of my process. Rosarie is gorgeous.