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May 21, 2005

A Knitting Illusion

So imagine this: You're knitting something, happily moving along. Its going so much faster than expected! Then, almost at the end, there's a little detail to knit. a neckband, some ribbing, it seems like it should take all of ten minutes, max. Its basically done! Plan on wearing the sweater *tomorrow*.

Then, you're knitting and knitting and knitting, but the sweater looks exactly the same. Its definitely taking more than ten minutes. and its dead boring. Will it ever be done?

Thus: the knitting optical illusion. Seems like its quick and easy, but really, its life-suckingly slow. It takes great strength of will to get through this.

Case in point: the ribbing on Orangina.

Orangina_ribbing.jpg

The lace pieces, each 15 inches long, pretty much knit themselves. But five inches of 3x3 ribbing in the round? taking FOR-ever. I am caught in a rift in the knitting-time continuum, and its unclear if I will ever make it out..

Comments (14)

kris:

i so did not need to hear that. my orangina lace is taking forever as it is ... still, i love the colour you've chosen and the end product will be beautiful.

Ribbing has a way of dragging on f-o-r-e-v-e-r, doesn't it? I can't pinpoint exactly what the problem is, though... just knit and purls! Even seed stitch seems to go more quickly!

Well, this is my whole problem with knitting! :) I cruise along with the individual pieces and then the finishing part takes approximately three times longer than I imagine it's going to. And of course by then I'm imagining (or starting) my next project.

I agree with you - ribbing takes so long. I've been wanting to do Audrey from Rowan 33, but I dread the ribbing. However, your ribbing looks so great - do you have any tricks that you use? My ribbing always looks so sloppy.

Oh, I hear that... ribbing can take forever... my recent Tempting sweater showed me that. Definitely a knitting-time continuum. Good luck with that, Diana. It really does look lovely so far!

Have a good evening :)

Ribbing is a common enemy ... but you need to face it ... there is no running away! Keep going ... keep going ... I'm cheering for you!

Oh the vast ribbing desert. I feel your pain.

OH but it looks so beautiful! Who cares! Rib on! I can't wait to see it done!

but its gorgeous!

Adele:

It's look gorgeous!

Keep at that ribbing. It's going to be worth it!

Tara:

Girl, I hear you but KEEP GOING! I just finished mine (will post about it soon) and I love it. Definitely worth all the f-ing ribbing!

Hmmm, I don't know if I believe you. It looks like your cruisin' right along on this little project. It looks fabulous and I'm sure the ribbing time warp will be worth it in the end.

I feel you! I swatched for Orangina over the weekend, and damn, if it didn't take forever.

But yours looks so good! I can't wait to see it done.

it'll be worth it, I mean it. Orangina is going to be great. And the color of your yarn. It is to die for!

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