I Knit a Pi Shawl for Pi Day (Then Frogged It).

[@MaireColclough]

It didn't work out, but I'm actually not sad. I'm going to take a bit of a break from all that green, then give it another try. Have you ever had to frog, rip back, or re-cut a Big Project? How did you deal with the experience? Also...I apologize for the weird focus issues at the beginning of the video. Apparently my camera has issues recording at certain resolutions 🙄

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Thank you for posting this! I think it's important that mistakes go online as well so it does of us who are not perfect socialists or crofters can also feel like they are just normal. We are all normal people and some of us are more skilled than others but we can't all be Bernadette Banner! Lol

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

OK so that is some thing that I could totally edit. But I think I'm just gonna leave it because it was hilarious. What I tried to get talk to text to write, was "sewists and crafters". Lol

[@MaireColclough]

@@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar 😃

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

I figured your sense of humor was enough like mine thought you'd get a giggle out of it.

[@MaireColclough]

@@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar Indeed! 😁

[@TealCheetah]

Thank you for showing the realities of crafting

[@MaireColclough]

The course of crafting seldom runs smoothly 😉

[@Anne-Marie_Morin-Berard]

i think as crafters we all lived through that! i have plenty of projects i had to unravel in knitting and lots in the naughty pile in sewing. in knitting i mostly rip back. start again then put it in time out for a little while. not too long that i forget about it but long enough that im not frustrated about the mistakes i did. sewing is harder if i cut it too small ( or my body changed since cutting the piece) but its always a learning experience. Love your videos and honesty.

[@shannonottarson9247]

I frogged an entire sweater, intricate cable running up either side of the zipper and up over the hood; because I wasn't satisfied with the fit. I re-knitted it, and it is now one of my favorite things❤

[@MaireColclough]

That's exactly the attitude to take. I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision to make, but now you have a sweater you'll love 😃

[@jackilynnmillard4781]

❤❤ I've learned to redo rather than make something I'm not going to wear. Too many things sitting in a bin in my dressing room. No more, start over and resize to what you would like.

[@maryhornsby9441]

My biggest failing as an artist and a crafter is that I get impatient towards the end of a project or even the beginning. If I make a mistake I usually try to convince myself "it will be fine later" or "its good enough, move on" and I almost always regret it. I am unhappy with how it turns out, but the thought of ripping out sometimes months of work is too painful for me. But the alternative is that I don't like or wear my piece and if that's the case, then what is the point? Its so frustrating, but you were probably wise to frog it. You will be happier with it later!

[@MaireColclough]

I'm glad I realized my mistakes before the edging. After the full rip, I can say some of those errors sure weren't going to block out.

[@nixhixx]

Sometimes you can make it part of your dance. Sometimes you have to frog the F out of it. It's very variable... sometimes time is worth more than 'perfection'. Sometimes satisfaction is where bliss lives. There are no right or wrong answers, only what's right in the moment. That yarn is GORGEOUS.

[@MaireColclough]

It feels great, too. I had been considering rustling up some cashmere from an online seller I use on occasion, but this is just so soft and luxurious. The alpaca is fantastic. 😃

[@sandidew3033]

Hi! Lovely video! I call shawls my “slow” knits. They usually take me about a year of on/off knitting!😂 And my family thinks I’m nuts when I rip back a big project when it’s almost finished because it just wasn’t quite right and the yarn REALLY wanted to be something else. I love it though, frogging is soooo therapeutic!😁

[@MaireColclough]

Frogging can be a lot of fun, depending on the project 😁

[@rebeccacuthbertson1271]

Oy I'm sorry that it's so frustrating but I'm glad it's not stressful anymore. Can't wait to see it when it's all done!

[@s.maskell7134]

By the time I get over my big snit and have grown to hate the project and decide to frog I am happy to reclaim the yarn and generally have a different project that will use the yarn.

[@forced2makethisbloodyaccou355]

I had a similar learning experience years ago. I was making a shawl out of acrylic and cotton blend and it was becoming far too bulky and heavy. The person that I was making it for wanted something lightweight and warm. Weight was the main issue due to medical issues. As I got further down the pattern, even I noticed the weight was becoming far too much than what was requested. I ended up disassembleling the whole thing and starting again in mohair. The end result is still in use today.

[@MaireColclough]

The poncho I've been working on sounds suspiciously like your heavy pattern....😉

[@PsychoKat90]

Ah, bummer it didn't work out! But everything is a learning experience, and now you know your next one will definitely be better. I'm currently on my 3rd corset iteration, refining the fit - it's a bit frustrating, but at least I enjoy the process! Happy knitting to you!

[@MaireColclough]

Everything is, indeed. Good luck with the corset draft!

[@ShannonLambert]

I had this great (in my head) idea for a blanket for my bed based on a fisherman's sweater. Except I don't knit, I crochet. I don't know if you've ever done cable work in crochet but it's an adventure. Two balls of heavy chenille yarn into a ten ball project, with effectively a long scarf that was already cumbersome to pick up, I decided to cut my losses and donated the rest of the yarn to a local reuse center.

[@MaireColclough]

Oh no....no, cabling in crochet isn't my jam right now. Heck...I can't be arsed to cable in KNITTING because it's just too much effort right now. I salute you for even trying! 😳

[@crystilmurch5659]

Frogging back into a ball that way is SO satisfying to watch. Sorry that it didn't work out but glad you are approaching it in a way that makes you happier. Also, gorgeous color. :)

[@MaireColclough]

I thought it was rather satisfying as well! And then re-watching the footage.... 👌 The colour is absolutely fantastic and a lot brighter than I had anticipated when I ordered it!

[@linr8260]

My first (still unfinished) crochet shawl, I redid the beginning like four times until I could get the gage and shaping the way I liked. I had never done this kind of stitch so I had no idea what things would look and behave like until I tried it. Now that I've done dozens and dozens of rows I look at that middle part and think about how much more even I could make it now and how it doesn't quite behave like the rest, but BOY am I glad I restarted four times. It really will make all the difference and allow me to wear this proudly when it's finally done.

[@MaireColclough]

The trick is to give it some time and a good foundation. Sounds like you're doing that! The blanket I'm currently working on gets ripped back so often, I'm thinking that's the main technique involved in its creation 😂

[@kathrynjames8770]

That'll teach that yarn to behave!

[@MaireColclough]

Here's hoping second time's the charm 😄

[@cocojo2356]

Awe, I really feel for you. The pattern looks so beautiful and delicate and you put such a lot of time and effort into it. I do agree with you though, that was the only solution, heartbreaking as it was. On the up side, you will knit up the new one much quicker as you now know what to look out for whilst doing it. For me, I would have done the same as you and I would also leave it for a while before tackling it again. In saying that though, I don't think I would be as 'calm' as you were about it, lol.

[@fannyduvillage]

I frogged several projects that just didn't work out for me, mostly because the pattern wasn't as promising while knitting it or my choice of yarn was wrong. With a lace pattern I always keep the project in a ziplock plastic bag to avoid any pulling. And I always change to the next ball at the end of a row, no matter if I could still knit half a row with the previous ball of yarn. That way I can use a "normal" knot. Cheers to the yule pi shawl ❤

[@MaireColclough]

...I cast it back on last night. Bigger needles. Knitting up quite nicely 😄

[@CraftsyPenguin]

Oh wow, I needed this today. Hearing this kind of approach and reading you're actually not sad about it helped me a ton. I'm working on a lengthy multi-part crochet project and today I realized I made the last part with tighter tension and now it's unacceptably smaller than the rest of it. I had to frog it and now have to make it again... and everything takes me so long, because I'm just stealing moments here and there to crochet while caring for two little ones and doing other stuff too. I was really bummed about this, I wanted it to be done already. But there's no pressure either, no real deadline. You helped me to see that and reconcile with my mistake.

[@MaireColclough]

The nice thing about not having a deadline? You can turn the project into something you do to relax rather than worrying about having to frog back. Sounds like you're at that point (particularly having to chase the kiddos around) 😉

[@SimpleDesertRose]

I love the color. I thought I recognized the yarn skeins 😉 I may or may not have been eyeballing some of the lace weight yarns on we crochet. I recently had to put down a shawl project that just wasn't working. I've finally concluded that i'm just going to have to bite the bullet and undo my progress back to a point where I found where I missed up. Somewhere along the way i started adding in and extra double crochet at the end so instead of getting a nice V shape to my shawl, it's starting to become more circular. I've been working on his off and on for the past year and set it down many times for other projects that I wanted to work on instead. Somewhere in one of those long intervals I picked it back up and started working the pattern and somehow got off track and added an extra double at the end and messed up the shape of the shawl. Grrr. Oh well. Maybe I will just treat myself to some specialty lace weight yarn from etsy that I have been eyeballing for a while now and begin again. Or just start a new one. Or maybe I will quit putting off that silk snood i've been promising myself for over a year now that I just haven't ever gotten too. But then my husband said he would clean up our patio so that I could actually use my patio table. I should probably hold him to it by starting a tablet cloth for it. I think I spend way too much time on Etsy and not enough time using the patterns I have. 😳

[@MaireColclough]

lol! The main thing is to just keep trying. Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate to get cleared up right now. Though the lace from WeCrochet/KnitPicks is FANTASTIC, let me tell you... 😉

[@SimpleDesertRose]

@@MaireColclough oh believe me you already did 😉

[@debbiel7736]

Ohhhhhhhh you did that alot more calmer than I would have. Looking forward to your pooling project I just spent days learning it and it is addicting once you get it.

[@MaireColclough]

I gave myself a little time to make the decision, and at that point I knew it was the right one to make. The planned pooling is...fun? In an entirely different way, really. I'm still trying to figure out this strange magic!! 😄

[@christenagervais7303]

I did have a sweater project that just kept going wrong. I ended up unraveling it twice. Third time was the charm. I was using some hand spun yarn in the sweater and I really wanted it to work out. I didn't lose patience or give up as I normally would. It turned out beautifully!

[@MaireColclough]

And you have a fantastic one of a kind treasure as a result! 😁

[@canucknancy4257]

My Favourite restaurant of all time! I adore the Grizzly House and try to make it out there once a year. You are so efficient when you knit. I look like a chicken flapping my wings when I do the needle thing. It is beautiful yarn. I'm sorry your TARDIS bag was pulling bits of your project different ways in time and space. It will turn out amazingly next time.

[@MaireColclough]

I've already restarted the shawl...just taking my time with it on this run-through 😃

[@naomilindstedt6271]

Wait hold on you're in my province?! Awesome! Love the Grizzly house! Great video. But a bummer to rip it out!..

[@marybull3715]

Having made myself a cardigan that bas a fairly complex cable pattern that sat part done for a long time over covid time, I had to rip it all back as in the meantime I have lost enough weight that it was far too big. I have not started it again yet, I am working on a waistcoat the pattern of which has some inaccuracies! and I need to reduce stitches on the front edge that is in a time out too.

[@MaireColclough]

Sounds like you've your work cut out for you...and at least you were able to rip back before the sweater was complete and too big!

[@Aldisia]

I feel your angst. I have recently abandoned a project because the chosen fibre was not producing desired results. Starting over with new fibre was great choice. But now I have a completion deadline!

[@MaireColclough]

Sometimes that's the case...you need to start over with different materials. Sorry to hear it's put you in a rush, though! 😬

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Darn that looks frustrating but yes you are right with knitting you can redo. My latest frogged project was a small one but it was just off. I’m going to have to remeasure and check other patterns to see where I went wrong. Cause that is annoying me and spring is trying to spring I’m thinking of other things. So while I think I’m making some dishcloths and towels. An easy mindless pattern with a nice cotton!

[@MaireColclough]

Small patterns are great for letting your mind turn over other issues. That's when I usually turn to socks. 😃

[@beryoza3634]

My sympathies on the shawl. My first ever lace shawl was a spectacular failure. I haven't re-tried that pattern again since. I forget the name but it was something with cranes, and the end result was supposed to have a crescent shape. It didn't. First fail - not know how to tension shawls - too much and uneven at the time. Second fail - Picking a synthetic mohair like yarn that I couldn't undo for any reason... for a first shawl project. It was a weird lump that I didn't even attempt to block because it wouldn't stretch... at all. My niece had fun playing with it, and possibly destroying it. It can rest in piece (or pieces) where ever it is now. I'm currently knitting a lace mohair circle skirt as I'm a glutton for punishment. I've passed the halfway point in rows, but definitely not in stitches. Lost all momentum on it for two years because of angry shoulder, came back to it to realize I'll need more yarn. Thankfully that could be fixed and onward I go with the speed of a geriatric snail. I'm a fast knitter but this is lace mohair with a medium-ish pattern difficulty and a bajillion repeats.

[@werelemur1138]

I've been (like an actual lunatic) trying to knit myself some Victorian stockings. Currently the yarn and the needles are sitting in the naughty pile thinking about what they've done.

[@stevezytveld6585]

Oh that's heartbreaking having to rib back all that work. Thank you for sharing it, though. Not every project will work, as much as we wish it was otherwise. Not cutting the pattern too small is why I go through so, so many mock-ups - it can tire a body out. Glad you had yourselves a good time for your birthday. That wool shop was amazing. Also, Nordstrom's - the affordable bra shop - is leaving Canada (booo). Go pick up some bolder-holders before they go away. I dropped by our local to pick up a few before the sales start. I've seen the melees that used to happen whenever Long Tall Sally had a shoe sale. Amazones versus the Drag Queens battling above one's head. Terrifying in its' beauty. Lord only knows what pillow fight will erupt at the last 36 G in stock... - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@MaireColclough]

I'll have to check out Nordstroms while I can. I think there's one at the south of the city (in an unfortunately busy bougie mall). And I'm glad you go through so many mockups! Every bit helps! The yarn store was actually just a small place, and advertised mostly as a quilting store, but definitely was packed full of yarn. As it was, the person at the till ahead of me was buying denim to repair work pants...definitely not a quilting supply 😂

[@stevezytveld6585]

@@MaireColclough Nordstroms trains their bra staff beautifully. Never had such graceful service. The bras tend to run in the 70-90$ range. It's their 'lost-litre' grocery store approach of getting customers in the shop. Once you have your bag of goodies take a stroll through the women's section. Neither of us exist as standard sizes but it's good for construction research. Even here - the dreaded overlocker appears... The Rideau Centre might not recover from the loss. The subway train rerouted the busses off of bridge so they no longer have the through-traffic. Denim in a quilting store. I like them already. Nothing like a shop that understands its demographics.

[@armedvsokord]

I have several banished projects waiting for me to decide I can approach them again and tackle the issues with them. I know some of it was I wasn't skilled enough at the time and others I didn't take the time I should have. I'm getting better at being patient.

[@bonniecolleenpappin8807]

Thanks for sharing, I've had many projects not meet my expectations on the first go round and have always been happier with the re-do. Most recently I was (machine) knitting a cushion cover for my son and daughter-in-law. I'd bought the yarn from a shepherd at the Perth (Scotland) yarn festival in 2018 so it has been in the queue for some time. I carefully chose the design, punched a card and wound the yarn. First red flags. One of the skeins was in pieces, broken ends abounded. Both skeins shed a lot of debris, so yuck. I knitted the tension sample in the chosen design and took it off the machine. It felt harsh but had to be wet finished. I washed it in shampoo (all I had) and dried it. The sample was even harsher. This was not going anywhere near anyone's body. I was unable to think of a use of it so into the burn box it went. Not worth spending any more time or energy on it. I will be keeping my eye out for something to do the cushion cover in. (There is a local yarn festival next weekend.🤫) Best wishes for the re-knit. It will be lovely.

[@MaireColclough]

Oh no! That sounds like a calamity of issues! I hope you find just the perfect yarn for your project...sounds like you've been through enough to deserve it! 💕

[@teddy-3765]

I always react badly when a project of any size doesn't work out (tantrums and throwing it across the room on occasion). Some I abandon, Some I go back to unspecified amounts of time later. Mostly, I alter my plans on the fly (very few design concepts survive intact by the time something is finished so this is normal for me) and end up making a variation on what I'd originally intended. On the whiole, my last-minute-rush-jobs work better than my carefully planned, worked-on-in-plenty-of-time of time and (occasionally) finished early projects. I've come to the conclusion that I overthink, over-plan, and overcomplicate things if I'm taking my time on them, and I need that panic-fed adrenaline-rush to get my "best" work done ("best" in terms of logevity of the finished item, - something that lasts, gets used multiple times and remains as part of my wearable costume or daily wardrobe until outgrown or too worn for continued use). The unrushed, not-panic-driven stuff... just doesn't match up to the rush jobs that, of necessity, get pared down to the absolute essentials because I'm up against a time crunch. True, they're never as detailed as I'd envisioned them (leaning towards plain insted of trim-encrusted, for example. Sometimes that trim gets added at a later date - though not often), but they work, they hold together through multiple wearings, and they get reached-for first when I'm cosidering what to wear for a costume event or whatever.

[@MaireColclough]

We all have our processes...I know that for some, taking your time to "do it right" just doesn't work for them. I'm one of those folks who has to give it a try, puzzle it out, then try it again. Helps if I have a reference handy (I referred to the Pi Shawl I made my mother more than once because I was having an issue that could be solved by looking at a physical copy). The main thing is to find what works for you. And if it includes letting off steam? Well...as they say, better out than in. 😃

[@Nessi-dances]

Yeah, sometimes fogging a project is the answer. I've had shawls that take me 3 months and I've had shawls that take me 13 months. It's just how things work some times! Now excuse me while I go find this shawl on Ravelry 😋💜

[@MaireColclough]

This one actually knits up fairly fast until the last section. I think you may enjoy it! 😃

[@louisalowry6229]

I am on my third redo of the first 20cm of a jumper for my husband as I really wasn’t happy with my gauge and the size. If it’s worth doing it’s worth doing well, as my grandma used to say.

[@kaytiej8311]

Definitely in that space right now. I've been working on a crocheted Temperature Blanket and somehow, a few months in, I've discovered one side has decreased stitches. Quandry : do I frog all those single rows of joined colours; try and add something to the one wonky edge; or pretend it doesn't bother me when it clearly does? I've completely stalled on the project and am procrastinating. I was enjoying it so much. Now what do I do?

[@aquaaurora2747]

I’ve had 2 sewing projects I abandoned after multiple failed mock ups and adjustments just never getting closer to right. Did a lot of sewing without patterns for a while after that just winging it with measurements and had mostly good success but it’s simple things no fitted bodices/dresses.

[@MaireColclough]

I've considered going that route as well. At least for sewing. I'm going to plink away at another craft for a bit, then probably come back to the shawl. I'm already thinking about casting it back on. It never takes me long to recover, really😃

[@MikMaqPeek]

I try to look at it as knitting is knitting and if I have to frog it then that was a practice run. Now having patience I am still working on lol.

[@shekthecat]

I will contemplate whether something can be a "design feature" instead of a mistake. Sometimes that works...most of the time I opt to start over. That willingness has been hard won, though. I have learned that I never regret a do- over like I have with a power-through. How are you liking the newish job?

[@jwolfe1209]

Currently working on restart #4 (5?) Of a pair of knee high Novita lace socks. It looked so easy, then came the battle with the boye knitmaster cables, so I ordered a modern chiagoo cable that everyone swore fit (spoiler, the connection screw was mysteriously too long despite being physically shorter than the boye one 🤔) and as I was transferring over to the takumi cable I ended up getting I realized not only was I not going to have enough of the discontinued yarn for the full length I had goofed and not shifted stitches across needles for the lace instep and was all off count 😢. At least I was able to save the ribbing, and was able to find another bundle of the same yarn in a complementary array to add into the ombre stripe

[@MaireColclough]

That sounds like quite the adventure! I hope the next attempt works...slow & steady wins the race. 🙂

[@michellecornum5856]

I once made a scarf out of an Old Shale pattern, and for the life of me, I couldn't count to 78 more than once. For every row I went forward, I had to rip out at least half of what I had done. And more than once, I thought I was making good progress, only to find my stitch off, and I would have to take out all of that day's work and half of the day before. I'm surprised I ever finished it . . . but I did. It's done in a lovely finger weight dark green, and I haven't touched it since I finished it. (the b@$#!@^%d) But it's finished. (and I'm still just a little pissed.)

[@lisahodges8299]

Is Elizabeth Zimmerman related to the classic knitting book lady 50s/60s? She wrote a really useful Family Knitting book. Birdy

[@MaireColclough]

I really couldn't say. Most, if not all of her books are available through Schoolhouse Press, if I'm not mistaken.

[@youreokay3847]

Just yesterday I had to frog a project bc I had written a pattern to sell that was a little more advanced and while testing it out I learned that it was too advanced for *me*. Luckily though it was only 1 day of work

[@MaireColclough]

The project I'm currently playing with has required regular ripping back, so I'm getting used to it. 😄 Glad you only lost a day's work!

[@DeniseSkidmore]

Better to unravel and have more yarn to enjoy than that imperfect unfinished object mocking you every time you try to summon the energy to fix it's issues.

[@MaireColclough]

Exactly! This!! 😃

[@esthermcafee5293]

Knowing myself as I do, any project that was that prone to snagging/tearing would get frogged since I am a walking disaster. If the yarn can’t handle contact with the project bag, any amount of time on by body would reduce it to tatters.

[@MaireColclough]

I (mostly) grew out of disaster knitting...I just haven't knit with such fine lace in a long while and forgot that bag has a loose bit of plastic where the zipper was trimmed. So...live and learn. Drawstring bag from now on. 😃

[@c.w.3750]

Id unstitch it and start over… why I’ve learnt that continuing on only creates more continuing problems.

[@DAYBROK3]

serious question here, we live in the same town what are your thoughts on the distribution of local yarn shops?

[@MaireColclough]

I wish I had the cash to open a yarn store in the northeast, where stores with a chance of parking space would be possible. I do believe we've had a couple more stores close down? I think I heard Knitting Room and Loop were retiring. So I think that leaves Stash and Pudding (central, no parking, in or close to downtown) and Gina Brown's (some parking, variable customer service). Honestly, I love Stash. Just can't get there often. Pudding is too downtown (hate driving & parking there), and Gina Brown's...it's ok. Haven't been there in a couple of years, though. And, of course, 7 Michael's stores scattered in driving malls around the perimeter. I dunno...your thoughts?

[@DAYBROK3]

@@MaireColclough two words - yarn trailer

[@kristalburns3490]

I cant knit lace. I drop the yarn overs and have never been able to figure out how in the world to fix my mistakes. I have ripped out many a lace project because somewhere my brain glitches and tells me that yes you fool you can knit lace! No. I have ripped out completed projects because they were a waste of the yarn I used and it was better to reclaim the yarn for something else. I have knit or crochet a new project off a partially completed project just so I didnt have to wind the yarn.

[@MaireColclough]

For me, it's all practice and repetition. Remembering long stitch patterns tests my brain, and sometimes not in a good way, which is why a fairly simple pattern like this one works well. Just not when I'm trying to do it in a rush, I guess 😉

[@annesamuel7096]

As a Kiwi, what is "pie day"?

[@angellinafosse1936]

March 14th aka 3.14

[@annesamuel7096]

I looked it up - who knew!!!!

[@angellinafosse1936]

@@annesamuel7096 those of us with crazy math teachers 😂

[@shekthecat]

It makes more sense for those of us who write the date month first, and then day. Mostly US and Canada?.

[@DAYBROK3]

i just noticed something, you knit like my grandmother. i cant hold the needles like that.

[@MaireColclough]

It took a little practice, but it's a lot easier on my wrists than the method I first started with! 😃

[@DAYBROK3]

@@MaireColclough i figure that there is no wrong way to knit, its just what works for you

[@MaireColclough]

@@DAYBROK3 💯

[@DAYBROK3]

@@MaireColclough i have been tolld that i hold both the needle and yarn and knit into the wrong side of the stich. stuff them, i can purl, and they cant.

[@MaireColclough]

@@DAYBROK3 😁😁