On the road again

I am embarrassed to realize that I wrote TWO entries about quitting. Isn't it odd that in our world, it is OK to start things, but less OK to stop them. How do you suppose we learned that it was OK to start a war, but not stop one, or OK to roll out a new flavor of COKE, but less OK to recall it.

Don't get me wrong, I Know I'm not a quitter by nature and I stand by what I wrote as paraphrased:

When things aren't going the way you want, and nothing helps, STOP. Do "nothing" and let the nothingness be helpful.

Apparently, I did nothing (at least as far as knitting goes) for long enough, because yesterday I investigated yarn, PURCHASED yarn, and have begun SWATCHING for the Dallas Handknitters Guild year long project: The Circumnavigated Cardigan. You can see several versions on the Ample Knitter's page. There's a diagram, too.

This version on the Joslyn's Fiber Farm site
is gorgeous in blue! The pattern itself allows for a Jacket collar, a V-neck and several shoulder/sleeve combinations.

I figured out what I needed in order to start up again from that "Nothing helps" place. Guess what the missing pieces were?
Yeah... The same ones as always. Preparation and Support.





With most any action (and definitely with any change) there are 7 steps:

1. Precontemplation -- What, It's summer still, why would I even think about making a sweater?
2. Contemplation -- Hmm. The guild's doing a neat sweater. I might enjoy that.
3. Preparation -- What are my measurements? (gasp) What kind of sweater do I want? What color? What's the budget? Does it have to be washable? Who will be supportive? The darling visiting daughter!!
4. Action --START KNITTING. The DVD is investigating double knitting in Encore, So I have companionship while I knit. Wheeeeeeee!!!.
5. Maintenance -- KEEP KNITTING
6. Relapse -- Maybe take a break for making gifts..... Or not!
7. Completion or Normalizing. FINISH THE SWEATER.

I'm making it out of Superwash Nashua. (Thanks to the Romanian sheep) It is a lovely aqua color. I may get another needle a size up to see if I want the fabric to be looser with more drape. The DK on 7's is rather form in texture.

Oh... and I didn't win the haiku sock yarn contest. But be sure to go here to read the winners!! It'll improve your health because I don't think you can read them without LAUGHING!