One Glorious Mistake (rectified).
And for this year, my wish for each of us is small and very simple.
And it’s this.
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself.
Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes.
Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.
Making mistakes. New mistakes. Glorious mistakes.
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| 400 yards of mohair. ripped. (ugh…) |
Yeah, it’s just yarn, but it was also ten days of my time. I ripped out all that I’d knitted on my mohair throw. It just. wasn’t. right. I started the ripping thinking I’d re-knit the solid mohair double. But once I had it all off the needles and really looked at it, I realized I didn’t love it. I’d sort of winged it when I started it and again when I added that second yarn and I knew it might not work out. And it didn’t. Glorious mistake.
The second and third attempts didn’t even merit a photo (trust me – new mistakes). But then I found something that worked. I’m pretty excited about it. Another Churchmouse pattern (no surprises there, right?), the two yarns held together on a size 11 needle. The fabric is light and airy – as mohair should be. The color(s) looks great with my chair (and as you’ll see once it’s fit to share – the room…especially the rug)…and it’s knitting up quickly.
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| just a little bit more than one episode of Downton Abbey |
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| my chair – because it sits in a corner with no clear view to the TV (and it has good light 🙂 |
It was a glorious mistake. but now I think it’s going to be a real success.
I’m not sure how this whole “mistake thing” might play out for the rest of my knitting, but I’m happy I recognized this one for what it was…and fixed it!
What was the last project you ripped out (and/or started over)?
8 Comments
Bonny
I wish Neil could see your knitting! I did like the first "glorious mistake" version but this one is really wonderful! I wasn't familiar with Neil's New Year's Wishes, except for his first one, and they make for some fascinating reading. Wishing you happy mistakes (and real successes)!
margene
We know when it's wrong, but you know how to make it right! The throw is going to be delicious in your comfy chair. Neil always delights with his books, his stories, his NY Wishes, his creative and supportive ideas. He speaks to us all. I rip and restart almost everything I knit. 🙂
Vicki Knitorious
Yay! There's some perseverance at work here, too! 😉
Carole Julius
Knitting mistakes can be a bitter pill to swallow but I sure love that quote!
Patty
Thank-you for bringing Neil and his wonderful sentiments to my world. (I need to get out more!) A wonderful mistake in the end! Pray that my Ravello does not fall into that category!
alexa
It looks wonderful against that very elegant chair … Hard to believe it came from a 'mistake'. Ripping out things? You have to be joking. I still haven't finished the baby cardigan I starting knitting for my son before he was born and he's thirty-five this year!
Sue
Love the chair, love the knitting corner, love the yarn combo! I have a knitting corner in my new house, but need to reupholster the chair and ottoman.
Lydia
Knitting mistakes that have a happy ending are totally okay with me! I have ripped 5 projects recently and will re-use the yarn, but look forward to finding something new to knit. Love the chair.