If In Doubt, Pull It Out

Yup, I frogged the heels of my mom's socks. The gussets were just too big. And b/c of the stitch pattern, I actually had to frog back quite a lot before the heels in order to recapture all the stitches properly.

I tried pretty hard to ignore the bigness of the gussets, but my consultation with the engineer about the math made it impossible to overlook. It was a hard decision, but a necessary one.

The truth is, now that I've started frogging I want to rip it all out, and just make her some Monkey socks. I'm on the fence, and I might still do it. Today. By time you wake up and read this post, the Yarn Over Cables could be gone. My reasons are true:

1. The Panda Cotton is really splitty. I'd have a hard time recommending it because of its splittness. It's only saving grace is that it is incredibly soft. However, the splittiness greatly interferes with producing the psso in the pattern. I keep picking up a thread from another stitch.
2. Stitch definition is very bad. I think the cables looks mashed and messy, especially with the stray strands here and there. The overall result looks worn out to me, and I'm not talking shabby chic. They kinda look used.
3. The project feels like the biggest chore ever. There is no love going into these stitches, only "have to." The socks are supposed to be a gift that I promised to make her on Mother's Day. I don't want to end up resenting her by time I'm done.
4. I want to finish them quickly, and Monkeys are fast knits. And let's face it, it's a superb pattern. She'll love them. The only reason I didn't just knit Monkeys in the first place was this serial learning thing I do.

What would you do?

At the moment, the remnants are stewing on some Profi needles, which freed up my Addis for this.

Comments

[Heather]

Uff da--after reading your many reasons it's clear that frogging was the way to go...and you hit the nail on the head with the 'chore' concept. I mean, didn't you get into knitting for the enjoyment of it all?? Thanks for the heads up on the Panda Cotton...who knew such a cute yarn capsule could wreak such havoc??

[Kirsten]

I'd follow my heart and frog those babies all the way! I haven't knit Monkey yet, but only hear good things.

[Jean]

Where'd you get that fab cartoon strip? I agree, PSSO's are the worst for a splity yarn, which may otherwise be manageable. So, I'm going to chime in and vote to frog for Monkeys. (Ha ha, a non-knitter would have no idea what that sentance means.) Good luck!

[Laura]

Frog it all! Otherwise it'll just not sit right with you and you'll end up frogging it at the end. Save your time now and frog it.

Do something even more yummy with the yarn.

[Meghann]

Frog away, my dear! Life is too short to not enjoy our knitting. I rather like the Panda Cotton, but you are right, it's terrible splitty. I used it on the Coupling pattern and at first I had a hard time with it, but once I got the hang of the pattern I didn't have as much trouble with the splitting issue.

[Jessica]

Frog 'em completely! If you don't "feel the love", get rid of them! I think they look really cute, but I'm not the one knitting them. Move on to Monkeys or something that will make you happy. And I love the comic strip!

[Jen]

Wow you guys are eager for the frog. ;)

I haven't decided to kick these to the curb just yet. I got all ready to frog them this evening, but then I started to think that they didn't look so bad after all.

I might give it another day or so.

[schrodinger]

I'd vote monkeys all the way - it sounds like you've already made your mind up about it

[jennsquared]

Me vote for Monkey too! You are knitting two socks at once too? i think it's such a good method! That way you don't have to worry about getting tired of the patter by end of the first sock!

[tiennie]

Oh well. Guess it had to be done!