Thursday, April 21, 2022

Scarf


Very pleased (and relieved) to report that I've finally finished a proper crochet project! This is a scarf I started last summer when I'd grown a little bored of my washcloths.

Because it was so compact, it became my Portable Crochet Project - the one I took to doctor's appointments and swim meets and car rides en route to big family get-togethers. It even accompanied me to and from Singapore last month, and was a lovely distraction while transiting in interim airports (finagling a crochet hook on board the plane is a story for another day, though).

Can't remember the name of the yarn I used, only that it was very splitty, like embroidery floss. Many times I wanted to hurl the thing across the room because I'd miss a strand and have to frog large bits. Or when I'd brought the wrong hook out with me (the Susan Bates hook is much better for this yarn) and everything would slip or catch at random, like manipulating vermicelli with nicked chopsticks. Other times, I could serenely work row after row without a mishap. So much depended on my mood, the hook, the time of day, and who knew what other factors. 


The stitch I used is the Primrose Stitch. I discovered it while making washcloths, and decided it was so pretty that it should be featured en masse on clothing. One zillion mind-numbingly similar rows later, it occurred to me that maybe I would've done better to have introduced some variety in the design. 


So yes, there is no pattern for this scarf. I made it up. Even the color choices were somewhat random. This yarn was on sale, and it felt silky, drapey and non-acrylicky, so I picked three colors I thought wouldn't be obnoxious on their own, or together. 


And then I started knotting away. Had no idea what standard scarf size I should aim for, so I found a store-bought scarf in the house, wrapped it around my neck, declared it suitable, and made it my goal to approximate its dimensions. When I thought I'd gotten a third-way into the finished length, I switched colors. 


Sometime after the first thirty-somethingth row, my brain must've checked out and I began adding stitches. I only realized this much later, after which came the awful moment when one has to decide whether to just keep moving forward or - in the name of human decency and being able to sleep at night - to frog everything and start anew from that point onward. I chose the former. As long as the sides were straight, I rationalized, it was all good. Besides, where is the fun in always erasing the evidence of one's learning? This way, I'll always be able to revisit that exact spot where the count first went off and I accidentally merged two primroses into one (reframing: I did an increase! Never mind if unintended!) and made a new shape with my yarn knots. And it wasn't a catastrophe. This is how we cure perfectionism: one uncorrected blemish at a time, given a new name like Variety and Nonconformity and Hey It Could Well Be A Hitherto Undiscovered Stitch. 


Anyway, very pleased with the outcome.


This is the victory moment, right after I cut the yarn off following the last stitch. Wound it around my neck to take this selfie. Not sure if my expression is elation or profound relief. Or a little of both, plus Where Exactly Should I Look Where Is The Camera.


Slightly related, the photos in this and recent posts were taken with my phone. Quite obviously different, as you may have noticed. We're transitioning between photo softwares and I haven't yet relearned how to access the photos on the Good Camera, let alone prep them for sharing online. I miss my camera photos! 


8 comments:

  1. Very nice !!!! You done good!! I finally figured out how to comment on your post. Sorry about all the times I wanted to say something and didn't . Everything you do is so wonderful. Love, Karen

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    1. And I finished it at your house!! No worries on the commenting, Karen. You always find other ways to tell me what you've thought of my projects, and I appreciate you!

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  2. It is really hard to know where to look with cell phone cameras! I'm curious, what photo software are you swapping between?

    The scarf is beautiful. Crochet is fantastically portable. And I agree, the hook (and one's mood, and the yarn) make a huge difference.

    I love your reframing.

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    1. MaryAnne, I wish I could remember the name of the new software. I will once I become acquainted with it. The old one is Aperture, which was on Apple devices, and was really good, but the new ios doesn't support it so we've had to let it go.

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  3. You are inspiring. I have a knit lace scarf that has been neglected for a year because I anted to throw I across the room and stomp on it. I resolve to dig it out and emulate your good example. Real job and pretty scarf and yay for improving your skills.

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    1. Thanks, Beth! Don't give up on your scarf. Finish it and share photos! We will celebrate with you!

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  4. It is a lovely scarf. I can knit but for the life of Mr I can't crochet. I admire those who can.

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  5. Lovely work! Congrats on finishing this first proper project :-)

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