Psychology of Frogging Successfully

Frogging....knitter's term humorously playing with the words RIP-IT, RIP-IT.

As a Wardrobe Knitter, I am pretty interested in wardrobe pieces, which could also be sewn.  And I was an avid seamstress in my younger days!  But what I LOVE about knitting, as opposed to sewing, is that if the items does not work out...you can unravel it and start over completely, without a loss of your precious fabric.  Well, more than that, knitting offers the ability to make the Fabrics AND the Garments.  And it starts with a ball of yummy yarn.

I've frogged MANY projects that are nearly completed. If I'm working on a new type of construction, new type of yarn, it's not always obvious to me how it will fit. How will that garment that looks gorgeous on a flat-chested model, translate into my figure?  How will my yarn drape, compared to that of the recommended yarn?  I am pretty comfortable with a particular construction style...working in pieces from bottom-up with set-in sleeves.  So almost anything outside that, particularly top-down seamless, is not easy for me to interpret along the way.  I absolutely do not have any understanding of try-on-as-you-go that everyone raves about top-down seamless.  I can try on, but still see that last line of stitches completed that don't have the correct tension until the un-knit row is formed, or the bust shaping is completed, or the sleeve is installed?

So I was trying a wonderful top-down cardigan pattern, new and no one else has made it yet, outside of the designer.  So there were no notes from others on Ravelry to look at it.  And I was working a size larger than the designer actually worked.  The schematics caused me concern from the start...but it was a new style, and maybe it should fit differently than what I've done so far?

My concerns persisted the entire project...but I knit forth, wanting to see if I was wrong.  I knit almost 1300 yards of yarn, got to the last sleeve, half-way through, and just could not see myself ever wearing it.  The armholes were just too deep, making too much fabric around my upper arms. The sleeves were baggy on top.  Just not my thing, and not what I imagined from the model photo (yeah, I'm no model, but I have vivid imagination).

I corresponded with the designer, took photos and posted them on my Ravelry project page.  And slept on it.

So here's the psychology that helps for Successful Frogging.  First...DO NOT FEAR FROGGING. IF YOU FEAR FROGGING, YOU WILL NEVER TRY ANYTHING NEW!  Secondly...ASK FOR ADVICE OR HELP if it is something that you think can be fixed, or re-worked without a full frogging.  Finally...when you have all the information to make a decision, do so before you move on to another project. Seriously, decide, then FROG OR FINISH, and move along.  And in my case, I have a new pile of wound yarn, ready for something new!

Stripes for Color Play

In several of my more recent knitting projects, I've been adding a little bit of extra color by adding stripes.

It partly stems from wanting pieces to work together better.  And that's what this blog was originally focused upon...building a "versatile" wardrobe.

To make those kinds of pieces really work together, though, it seems best to make those items in the same yarn. More unusual color combinations, like lavender and olive, are most pleasing when the yarn texture and drape are not also different.  Adding new texture by stitch variation still seems to work when using the same yarn in different colors...at least to my eye!

In my example to the left, I did some stripes with a completely different yarn. Admittedly, it was not the original plan, but I feared I was running out of the solid yarn...it happens to all of us!  But in choosing my striping yarn, went through my HUGE basket of leftover yarn. I had a few good choices, that were cotton like my main body, and also of a similar weight.  And then I decided on one that had a self-striping color change thing, because maybe that will make this coordinate with more shells and pants!

Of course, there's always what "seems" like a simple acquisition of stripes by using a self-striping variegated yarn.  Hard to tell what they will do until the garment unfolds, at least to me.  If offer a couple examples here of cardigans made recently with those kind of yarns.  Both had interesting elements pulling it "all together".  The first had fluffy white tufts randomly throughout the darker blue/green/berry motif. The other had a white tape backing a variety of fibers, which in addition helped soften the super bright colors.  It also had such diverse bright colors, that I chose to place different yarn colors in the pocket liners...FUN!

Wardrobe Limits?

On Ravelry, we call completed items "Projects".  Since my last blog entry (last August), I've completed 24 Projects, and only 6 of those were gifts.  Drawing upon my school math skills...that's 2.25 new wardrobe items, for myself, per month!

I know there needs to be some limits. But what are they?

Space.  I started to write that living in a smaller space as we do, that imposes limits.  But I'm accustomed to small spaces, and am really, really good at reorganizing and finding ways to fit more at will.  (Hint...roll your sweaters, it reduces wrinkles and you can squeeze and fit more into a drawer).  And at some point I'm really comfortable tossing out the old.  So...Space is not a wardrobe limit.

Need.  Seriously, I can still approach a day or event, and realize I don't have exactly the "right thing".  And sometimes I laugh, because I do have the "right thing", but it's not fresh and new, or I turn to it too often, and so I want the NEW "right thing".  No, it's not a need, but a gap in my wardrobe, so toss out Need as a wardrobe limit.

Inspiration.  HAA...never seems to be lacking.  Thanks to Ravelry and Books and Pinterest, the new ideas keep coming. I'm certainly not interested in making lots of stockinette sweaters.  If that's all there was, then Inspiration would certainly be a Wardrobe Knitter's limit.  BUT...I keep seeing intriguing new construction methods, color or stitch combinations, flattering shapes. And I want to try them!

Time.  Last August I made a big change in my business.  And it has given me more personal time, if I chose to have it.  Or I could work more.  Sometimes I have ideas for work that do absorb me, and this limits my knitting time.  But...the numbers don't lie...I've been making 2.25 new wardrobe items per month since last August.

Color.  This might surprise anyone who actually reads this...this is perhaps my greatest Limiting Factor!  I face this when I consider a new yarn purchase, or matching a stashed yarn to a potential project.  Do I already have a Pink Cardigan?  Do I already have a Pink 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan, or Short Sleeve, or Long Sleeve?  Do I need a different shade of pink, do I have a pink pair of pants that NO existing Pink Cardigan works with?  Well...there are moments when I realize that I already have one of those covered.  So...when I get all colors...and all shapes...and all seasons...covered...WILL THAT BE MY WARDROBE LIMIT?