That's what I've been saying about a project I started in March or so. I think I labored over this pattern more than with any other thing I've ever knit. What a process!
I named this project "You're not the boss of me" because completing it began to become an obsession for me. Right, let me start at the beginning.
It all started on a rather chilly day in either February or March but as I've mentioned earlier, Brussels can be chilly even in bloody July! Anyhoo I popped into a cute little out of the way yarn shop in Watermael Boisfort to find a DK weight cotton for a great sweater called "Paloma" which was in a Kim Hargreaves book that I ordered on line. It seemed simple enough. A boxy body with fitted sleeves in a drop stitch pattern.. Easy Peasy I thought. If I could knit lace leggings then this would be a piece of cake.
Not effing likely! What began as an easy knit stayed in my basket for weeks. In typical Gazelle fashion, other projects came and went but this one was always in the back of my mind because I was SURE that I'd wear an off the shoulder cotton loosy goosy jumper.
As my move to the sand box grew nearer and nearer I reached for Paloma more and more. I had memorized the pattern and there was little shaping involved. At the beginning of the summer I chose to take it to Canada with me, knitting mindlessly, occasionally putting it up to me to check for size. It went with me on planes to and from Canada, trains to and from Montreal and I think it even went to the Cote D'azur on a beach day in Cassis. It was one well traveled bit of knitting.
What I hadn't factored into my knitting was the fact that my mind was NOT focused on my sticks. Part of it was in Dubai in my new and empty house. Part was on a container with all my worldly possessions on a ship sailing somewhere between Antwerp and Jabel Ali. Part was on what my teen daughter was doing at the University where she was attending a summer program and if I'm completely honest, part was on a pair of Citizens for Humanity jeans that I was debating over.
At one point I put the completed front piece up against me and realized that two of me could fit in there! After much swearing, which by the way comes far too easily for me, I realized I had to frog it all and start over. The finished piece was supposed to measure 55.5cm in diameter and mine was coming in at over 65 cm. Blocking not to mention wearing it was going to make it even larger.
So I cast on once again and committed to it. The summer passed and as I left Canada for my annual trip to Provence I continued to knit it. I eventually finished both front and back but in yet another ridiculous moment I realized that it was STILL too big. I was so angry at myself for presuming that it would somehow miraculously get smaller the more I knit but once again I had to take it apart. I mean I knew my family life had been flipped completely upside down and everything but really Gazelle, now you're knitting like a novice?
After months of trying it still wasn't anywhere near being finished. Now I'm not a professional or anything but I'm a pretty good and experienced knitter and I'll be damned it I was going to let a drop stitch boxy jumper get the better of me. When we moved to Dubai it was weeks before I picked up any knitting again. At one point I didn't even know where it was in the house. As September came and the kids went to school I found the large pieces and set about giving it another try. I researched Ravelry this time for tips from those who had completed the project and worked on multiple swatches with varied needle sizing. The problem was that Brussels was long gone and there was no way to get more yarn. I had to stick to the original needle size but this time I cast on less than was called for and made the adjustments. There were no new projects at first because there are no knitting shops here in Dubai.
There is however the Internet! Even though I hate on line shopping I began to order yarn from places like Sweden and the UK and Canada and even from Portland Oregon. I got some lace weight linen from one of my favorite yarn shops in Gothenburg, Sweden to make a two color " Color Affection" by Veera Valmaki.
I also ordered some wonderful Pima Cotton to make a "Heyden's Pullover" from a great little shop in Toronto called Americo.
I am after all extremely challenged by the fact that buying wool is out! It's just too darn hot here to knit with it so I have gotten creative with the cottons and linens. My New Jersey knitting girlies had told me about a great yarn called Shibui. I hit the web again and ended up ordering some fabulous yarn to make an "L 1" shawl by Antonia Shankland. Feast your eyes on this people.
Naturally I had to wait to receive all of these treats and I think I was grateful to have the time to finish Paloma. It was slow going but I wanted to be sure I was knitting evenly and the fact that it's black and that my vision is going didn't help matters.
It's been almost 4 months since I arrived in Dubai and Paloma is finally finished. Towards the end I became obsessed by the idea that I wasn't going to let it get the best of me. C has been laughing at me all along and although at first she was interested in making it as well, my trials and tribulations have put her off. She won't touch it now and I don't blame her. I've been whining about it for months!
Et Voila! I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I know you can barely see it on the black form but I'm not in the mood to pose for a photograph. Would I recommend it to a fellow knitter?, yes but with some intense advice. Was it a labor of love? Not in the least but I persevered and I think it shows. Remember Paloma, I rule. Not you, me!
Bisous,
G.
I named this project "You're not the boss of me" because completing it began to become an obsession for me. Right, let me start at the beginning.
It all started on a rather chilly day in either February or March but as I've mentioned earlier, Brussels can be chilly even in bloody July! Anyhoo I popped into a cute little out of the way yarn shop in Watermael Boisfort to find a DK weight cotton for a great sweater called "Paloma" which was in a Kim Hargreaves book that I ordered on line. It seemed simple enough. A boxy body with fitted sleeves in a drop stitch pattern.. Easy Peasy I thought. If I could knit lace leggings then this would be a piece of cake.
Not effing likely! What began as an easy knit stayed in my basket for weeks. In typical Gazelle fashion, other projects came and went but this one was always in the back of my mind because I was SURE that I'd wear an off the shoulder cotton loosy goosy jumper.
As my move to the sand box grew nearer and nearer I reached for Paloma more and more. I had memorized the pattern and there was little shaping involved. At the beginning of the summer I chose to take it to Canada with me, knitting mindlessly, occasionally putting it up to me to check for size. It went with me on planes to and from Canada, trains to and from Montreal and I think it even went to the Cote D'azur on a beach day in Cassis. It was one well traveled bit of knitting.
What I hadn't factored into my knitting was the fact that my mind was NOT focused on my sticks. Part of it was in Dubai in my new and empty house. Part was on a container with all my worldly possessions on a ship sailing somewhere between Antwerp and Jabel Ali. Part was on what my teen daughter was doing at the University where she was attending a summer program and if I'm completely honest, part was on a pair of Citizens for Humanity jeans that I was debating over.
At one point I put the completed front piece up against me and realized that two of me could fit in there! After much swearing, which by the way comes far too easily for me, I realized I had to frog it all and start over. The finished piece was supposed to measure 55.5cm in diameter and mine was coming in at over 65 cm. Blocking not to mention wearing it was going to make it even larger.
So I cast on once again and committed to it. The summer passed and as I left Canada for my annual trip to Provence I continued to knit it. I eventually finished both front and back but in yet another ridiculous moment I realized that it was STILL too big. I was so angry at myself for presuming that it would somehow miraculously get smaller the more I knit but once again I had to take it apart. I mean I knew my family life had been flipped completely upside down and everything but really Gazelle, now you're knitting like a novice?
After months of trying it still wasn't anywhere near being finished. Now I'm not a professional or anything but I'm a pretty good and experienced knitter and I'll be damned it I was going to let a drop stitch boxy jumper get the better of me. When we moved to Dubai it was weeks before I picked up any knitting again. At one point I didn't even know where it was in the house. As September came and the kids went to school I found the large pieces and set about giving it another try. I researched Ravelry this time for tips from those who had completed the project and worked on multiple swatches with varied needle sizing. The problem was that Brussels was long gone and there was no way to get more yarn. I had to stick to the original needle size but this time I cast on less than was called for and made the adjustments. There were no new projects at first because there are no knitting shops here in Dubai.
 |
| Two shades of dark blue. Mmmm |
There is however the Internet! Even though I hate on line shopping I began to order yarn from places like Sweden and the UK and Canada and even from Portland Oregon. I got some lace weight linen from one of my favorite yarn shops in Gothenburg, Sweden to make a two color " Color Affection" by Veera Valmaki.I also ordered some wonderful Pima Cotton to make a "Heyden's Pullover" from a great little shop in Toronto called Americo.
Naturally I had to wait to receive all of these treats and I think I was grateful to have the time to finish Paloma. It was slow going but I wanted to be sure I was knitting evenly and the fact that it's black and that my vision is going didn't help matters.
It's been almost 4 months since I arrived in Dubai and Paloma is finally finished. Towards the end I became obsessed by the idea that I wasn't going to let it get the best of me. C has been laughing at me all along and although at first she was interested in making it as well, my trials and tribulations have put her off. She won't touch it now and I don't blame her. I've been whining about it for months!
Bisous,
G.
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