my latest project and... a little kindness from a fellow knitter (whom I didn't even know) can be truly liberating :)

Hi, everyone!
I thought you might be interested to know what I've been up to lately (when it comes to knitting, that is). Life is still hectic, but I have another passion: a new lace sweater, just for me. If you're following the UFO thread in the Lace KAL group, then you'll be familiar with this. But I'm so proud of this project that I just have to show it off (and all in humility, too, honest).

It started off with me finding this one pattern that I loved as soon as I set my eyes on it. After a little hiccup, I bought the pattern. And I bought yarn just for this particular pattern, something that I'm not usually known for.

But when I cast on and started off with row 1, it was immediately apparent that the pattern instructions were all bungled up on that row. I was gutted! I tried various versions of the instructions, but they all didn't add up. And, we all know, row 1 is the base for everything!
Having poured out my heart to DH, I had THE idea. Be bold. Be courageous. Be strong.
So I went to Ravelry to see if they have that pattern loaded. - They DID (yeay) :)
Then I checked who else had knitted it, only to be dismayed that it was only done by fellow knitters in France (the pattern is from Bergère de France). And although I do speak more than my own language, French is not one of them, sadly. But I didn't give up. So I checked the comments / explanations of everyone and was happy to see that one person actually posted in English.
So I was bold. And courageous. And wrote the lovely lady a short plea, explaining the situation and what my row 1 instruction looked like. Seeing it was quite late in the evening I didn't expect a reply back. But I got one within 30 minutes!!!

So on Tuesday morning on my way to work (1.5 hour coach commute each way) I started from scratch.

And it worked!

Here's my knitting buddy (Jill) with the result as at Tuesday night.

It's been hard work since then. I need to concentrate a lot, but once the pattern is set, it really does get easier. Still, for me it's slow knitting, but SOOOOOOOOOOOOO worth it.

A normal, straight forward sweater for myself takes me about 1 month from start to finish (IF I sew up straight away). For this project, I'm allowing myself a minimum of 6 weeks but would like to be finished no later than within 2 months.

So this pattern is dedicated to the fellow knitter on Ravelry and my DH who suggested this colour yarn to me. I was going for a light blue, but he really did make the better choice. :)

Am I blessed or what!?

So what does this teach me? Take a little courage. Be persistent. Don't give up too easily. And maybe, just maybe, you may end up making something you'll be really proud of.

And I'm sure that once I've finished this, I'll be proud of this for a very long time :)

Happy knitting, everyone !

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Comment by Beth Pritchett on August 10, 2010 at 4:45pm: Peggy,
Sometimes it helps to be reminded of the things we take for granted.

Comment by wendy on August 10, 2010 at 8:16am: Maria, this is absolutely beautiful! I'll bet you will look quite stunning in it.

Comment by cherylbwaters on August 9, 2010 at 7:31pm: Oh, Maria, that turned out beautiful!

Comment by Peggy Stuart on August 9, 2010 at 5:40pm: I don't think I ever saw air conditioning when I was in England. The day we went to Bath it was over 90 degrees, and we had to eat in the basement, where the kitchen was!

Comment by Beth Pritchett on August 9, 2010 at 3:57pm: Maybe they would turn the air conditioner up for you.

Comment by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on August 9, 2010 at 2:13pm: Not selfish at all... anytime you make something so grand, you cannot wait to wear it.

Comment by Mrs. K on August 9, 2010 at 2:09pm: Oh, thank you so much. But I can't really take the credit. The pattern is just wonderful. Without that, I wouldn't have been able to make something so wonderful.
Is it selfish to ask for overcast and a little cooler weather on Friday so I can wear this to work? LOL

Comment by Beth Pritchett on August 9, 2010 at 12:48pm: Absolutely beautiful!

Comment by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on August 9, 2010 at 12:47pm: Maria, Love your sweater! I can indeed see the flaring at the cuffs and it is very beautiful. Great job!