On the verge of tears

I can't tell you how many f-bombs flew from my mouth today.  I lost count after the first thirty.  Seriously, there is a reason that this sweater is called the tangled yoke.

I have spent about five hours trying to master the first four rows of the cable pattern.  Tangling the yoke and then untangling the yoke.  I finally gave up and ripped back to the decrease row.  My mind is numb and my wrist hurts so I think I am going to crawl on to the couch tonight, wine in hand, bundled in my quilt and watch some Project Runway on Tivo.  Then maybe, just maybe, I will attack this sucker again tomorrow.

Maybe.

Comments

[karen in Toronto]

tomorrow is another day - take a good night sleep (read just once the cable pattern before going to bed, you might dream about it and find what's bothering you)

and tomorrow after a good cup of coffee start again....

good luck.

[Linn]

Oh, dear. I wish I was of some help in the knitting department. I think your plan for the evening sounds like a good way to shake it off and start fresh tomorrow. Enjoy a little peace.

[Rosa]

Sometimes, we need to just step away from the project. Coming back to it later will definitely give you a better perspective because you will be fresh and insightful. I wish you the best in completing the tangled yoke part. It is looking great so far!

[Sarah Jackson]

Oh drat. I was about to pull that one back out - I'm in exactly the same place as you are. Now I don't want to anymore. Maybe we'll do it together tomorrow and hold each other's hands via email.

[rachel]

I am just glad to hear I'm not the only one prone to dropping f-bombs over things like knitting.

and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who calls them f-bombs. ;)

[Nadia Lewis]

Dude, you are so not alone on this. I've been knitting for a million years and when I knit that cardi I threw it down in frustration again and again. I started it *last year* and I'm just finishing it this week. (I hope.)

[anina]

Uh oh! Yes, take a break and try again tomorrow. Which pattern are you using so I know to avoid it?

[Jess]

I had the same problem starting those cables!
They are kinda counter-intuitive when you start them.
We out here are feeling your mental pain, if not your physical pain.
Take it easy

[amy]

oh, my. i know exactly how you feel. you will enjoy project runway. it was a good one.

[Stefani]

Oh girl, I cannot even imagine. The f-bomb is flying over here, just based on a few little dishrags, let alone a whole freakin' garment that contains the word "tangled."

You are a wonder.

And um, scoot over okay, cuz wine and Project Runway sounds DIVINE!

[Natalie]

Don't know enough about knitting to offer any help, but frustration and I go way back, so I feel your pain. Enjoy the distance and the break and return to triumph another day!

[Blayne]

aww sorry you are so frustrated! That happens to me all the time! :) Go kick back, relax and tackle it later.

[brandy]

Bless your heart. So frustrating I know. Enjoy the wine and RELAX!

[Charity]

Oh, yuck! Hang in there - you'll get through it! :0)

[Amy]

I wish I could help, but that one is a bit too complex for me! Don't give up!

[tricia]

ugh. I have totally been there. Sleep on it. You will probably look at the pattern tomorrow and it will just click. Good Luck!

[emily]

oh honey. sending you big hugs.

[amandajean]

I have all the confidence in the world that you will overcome the tangled yoke. I LOVE the color.

[Linnea]

Oh gosh... yeah, people think knitting is all peaceful and good granny like... riiiight! Well, I hope the frustration levels and you can attack it with a fierce resolve tomorrow :o)
xox,
Linnea

[leslie]

oh shoot. wish we could have coffee in the morning and get you on the way to tangling!!!

[Louise]

Erin, You're so not alone. I also ripped the first four (maybe three) rows of this part of the pattern about a million times before throwing it down in disgust about six months ago. I don't know if I'll pick it up again except that so much work already went into the blame thing! Good luck when you try again.

[kirsten]

oh, sweetie. sorry about that.

that's why i'm waiting to learn to knit - till... later.

[Nell]

Uh Oh! Don't tell me that!!!! I'm about to start it!

[Karen in VA]

I want to knit and can't even figure out how to start without quitting in sheer frustration! I am no idiot but I can't seem to follow simple knitting instructions designed for a child. You will be just fine!

I have been reading your blog for a while now and love it! Thank you! Karen

[asnipofgoodness]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think hobbies are supposed to be fun!....te he he

[Anna]

Good luck tangling that yoke today!

[caroline]

TOTALLY dig that color!

Man, with so many people cursing the same pattern, it must be a real bear!

Someday, when I know how to knit, remind me NEVER to do this pattern.

[geek+nerd]

Oh goodness, I have SO been there! Step away. Sip Wine. Come back later!

[molly]

i can't tell you how many times george has asked, "why do you knit if it is so frustrating?"

and i respond, through clenched teeth, "i really love knitting."

but sometimes it is a real son of a bleep.

[Grace]

:(

Hang in there. People complain about this sucker a lot -- but the resulting sweater is really gorgeous! You can do it!

[Tracy]

Walk away.. come back some time later.. it'll be fine :)

[Felicia]

Oh no! Sending positive knitting thoughts your way!

[Lauren]

Don't cry! You are so talented and your work so far is beautiful. It will come along, just be patient. You did the right thing by taking a break. There is nothing more comforting than cozying up under a lovely comfy quilt with a big fat glass of wine and watching Project Runway. You see them? They have their moments too.

I know you can "make it work!" :)

[Tracy]

oh dude. Our evenings may have started differently, but it sounds like they ended pretty much the same. :)

The yarn is pretty at least. Sending you good knitting vibes.

[tiennie]

Oh no! I know you're going to get it right and you'll be modeling that beauty soon!

[kristin]

for one thing - your knitting always turns out amazing (tangled yokes or not). it will come. the decision to take a breather under the quilt sounds just right. repeat as needed. :)

the other thing - that yarn looks perfect for a sweater. i love it.

[jacquie]

oooh i know just how you feel...i hit the wine wed afternoon after a nightmare quilting session. hang in there...you can do it!

[molly]

you're already stuck with it longer that I could have!

happy weekend, friend!

[Sonya]

I don't care what anyone says - cables suck. And if they are made to look "tangled" meaning no orderly row repeats, then that is just insanity producing.

Sweetie, put it down and go here -

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/interweave-knitters/4925/1-25

glean some tips and moral support. A whole thread devoted to it.

[Marianne]

Oh dear, hope you manage to get it sorted out. I have only done a few rows of mine and it is peacefully sleeping in my stash! I can feel your frustration, all that knitting with anticipation and looking forward to the fun bit, and then the fun bit turns into a pain in the @r$e!! I've been there, but my nature makes me keep trying til I 'get' it.

[KeanaLee]

Erin- I hate when this happens, It has happened to me many times. Sometimes I never finished the project, sometimes I did, the times I did made it so much more worth it than the times I didn't. Knit on.

[Tracy]

ooh, I wanna see that orange top so bad!

I'm glad you're working through the knitting woes. I hate when I get frustrated with a thing.

Speaking of knitting, I need a little help figuring out how to carry a second color yarn through a hat. Do you knit with multiple colors ever?

[nicole]

oh erin! hang in there 1 i'm sure you'll make it great! i do feel for you , i have a giant knotted ball of yarn that i've been working on for 2 wks , thanks to my lovely children :0)

[Kara]

I have been there. The cabling was a bear to get through. I was counting and recounting, knitting and unknitting like a mad-woman. But eventually you get through it and then it is smooth sailing. You can do it!

[Lula Dahl]

I am SO glad that I am not the only one who let's the f-bombs slip out of her mouth while doing projects! Sometimes, it just can't be helped!

[Tara Miller]

Hi- I have found that my bones ache and if I keep going hurt when I use metal needles. They don't when I use wooden or plastic needles. I know you have finished the sweater (which looks awesome, btw) but that might help in the future.