women of a certain age are like sunflowers; they know how to turn their faces to the sun.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Breaking Up

Don't take your love away from me
Don't you leave my heart in misery
If you go, then I'll be blue
Cause breakin' up is hard to do...

- The Carpenters

You know, one of two things is gonna happen when you sequester two lovers in a small cabin in the great north woods of Michigan for five days.

They will either bond, or they will drive each other crazy.

All too often, when we are in close proximity for too long, we begin to notice all the things we don't like about our companion. Their annoying habit of drumming their fingers on the table top. The endless throat clearing. The way they leave the cap off the toothpaste tube.

The way their directions are so difficult you can't make it four rows without making a mistake.

It's official.

Drizzle and I are on the rocks.

The love is gone.

Trashed by the scattershot nature of the original design.

Perhaps I should start at the beginning...

SIGH...

I originally designed Drizzle to be asymmetrical, slightly off-kilter

(sort of like me!)

The only problem was, I couldn't make it more than about 4 rows without making a mistake.

And I KNOW what it is supposed to look like.

The first few times, I told myself it didn't matter. Since it was disorderly anyway, what was one missed bead or misplaced stitch? It would just add to the charm, right?

By the 40th time, I was forced to admit:

It wasn't working for me. It was too random and unfettered. It needed (gasp) structure.

What seemed whimsical at the end of the shawl degraded into chaos by the center section.

(Those who know me are now chortling gleefully. I am known for my fly by the seat of my pants bravado and spur of the moment freedom.)

That's shorthand for disorganization, folks.

Back to the drawing board computer and three hours later, Drizzle emerged leaner, more streamlined, and more predictable to knit.

BUT

the beaded lines fall in different places. Totally different places. Have to frog the whole blessed thing places.

Oh, the agony!

A solid month of labor and 500 plus yards of linguine to show for it.

I didn't take a picture. I didn't have the heart. It's too tragic when someone you love...

goes bad.

Needless to say, Drizzle will be a little late arriving.

On a brighter note, Crocus Pocus goes on sale tomorrow. And Iris is looking ab-so-f**kin-lute-ly (to quote Big on Sex and the City) one hundred percent, no doubt about it, show stopping, guaranteed...

gorgeous.

Now THAT is worthy of pictures, folks! And I have them in all their Technicolor glory.

But you'll have to wait until a suitable mourning period has passed.

I figure a day oughta do it...

After all, Drizzle hasn't really died, she's just gone on to a better place.

The south Drizzle will rise again!

8 comments:

Megan said...

glad to know that I'm not the only one that takes 40 times before reality sets in. can't wait to see Iris!

Kristy said...

I've got the credit card out and the store marked so I can purchase Crocus Pocus asap. Can you tell me what beads you used and where you purchased them?

Lost City Denise said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lost City Denise said...

It's rare that I admit this to anyone - but one of my very first thoughts of the day was to look for Crocus Pocus & Iris! Knitting first thing in the mind upon waking? Most people would think I was nuts.
And what about Sherwood? When is it available?!

HAPPY MAY DAY!

Knit and fall back in it said...

It's always unfortunate when a relationship deteriorates. My condolences to you and Drizzle.

Unknown said...

LOVE Crocus!

I believe that Neil Sedaka was the first out with that song - waaay back in the 60's!

I wasn't sure that the Carpenters had done it as well, until I googled.

Kristy said...

Susan, I ordered my kit from Kniddy Knoddy and am excited to get knitting on this gorgeous scarf. I've been searching online for the beads, but can't find any 8/0 Miyuke in #1827. Are you sure this is the right color number? Also, where did you purchase the bellflower beads? I can't seem to find them anywhere?

Kristina B said...

Hi Susan... just to let you know I posted pics of my Sherwood in progress on the blog yesterday :)