Don’t be afraid to explore;
Without exploration there are no discoveries.
Don’t be afraid of partial solutions;
Without the tentative there is no accomplishment.
Deng~Ming Dao
A while back someone wrote about our obsession with perfection, which frequently will prevent us from finishing things. In my little Tao devotional book, it discusses this as well. I love the line "Wanting everything in life to be perfect before you take action is like wanting to reach a destination without travel."
Typically, I am not a perfectionist, in fact sometimes it frustrates me that I am willing to let as many things slide as I do. Remember the BWA vest (Mar.8 entry) with cables going in the wrong direction here and there? Did I pull it out and fix it………nope.
This sock though that I am working on however, has been a different story. In Nancy’s book she mentions doing the double cable cast on, over 2 needles. Now barely being able to hold the yarn properly to do this cast on, I knew I would not have the dexterity to hold 2 needles…LOL. I chose to use a larger sized needle to cast on instead. I didn’t like how floppy the cast on edge looked, but I kept going on anyways. By the time I got to the point that is pictured, I was just not happy with the sock altogether. The texture of the yarn is just not right for this sock. Even on size 0 needles, the sock was loose and sloppy looking. You all know what came next………….
Back into my pile of sock yarn, I found a few skeins of Koigu, which is what the New England sock was knit with in the book. WHAT a difference!! I skipped the 2 needle cast on and just did the cast on, over one size 0 needle and I like the edging much better. Every time I use Koigu, I quickly remember why everyone likes it so. It is so soft, yet it gives such nice definition to lace patterns. I am much much happier with this result.
Sometimes we have to not accept mediocre too. I knew that sock done up in the Twinkletoes yarn would always bother me left the way that it was. I know when I am finished with the New England sock now, it will be a pair that I will LOVE now.
As I mentioned the other day, I am in full (well as full as I can get) flylady mode. Now housework is one area where I am soooooooo not a perfectionist..hehe.
I am determined, though, to have a relaxing holiday season, with a sparkling clean house. We will see…………….
The Woolen Rabbit 
The New England sock is looking great! One of the things that gets me about yarn subs is that, although you can get gauge with many different yarns, often the right effect is best acheived with something identical or close to the original yarn used in the pattern.
And perfectionism? It’s only a bad thing when it keeps you in bondage, unable to finish anything. As long as it doesn’t paralyze you, there’s nothing wrong with trying to do your best. At least I think so.
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Flylady . . . she and I have a back-and-forth relationship. She gives me hope and direction, until I pick up my needles or a really good book. Then my sink don’t shine and the dust bunnies are big enough to spin. Good luck to you, and hope your house is a calm and lovely place — clean or not!
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Great way to go. Koigu is a perfect yarn for the pattern. You’re going to love them!
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I keep trying to do ‘flylady’ but am having a hard time just doing it. How sad is THAT?? It’s such a great idea and I can tell it works if I would just do IT. Hrrmmmp. I think you’re onto something good to have nice holidays!! Keep up the good work.
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Ditto what Kim said about flylady. The best of intentions…then I get to my study, sit in front of the computer, and two hours are gone. Just like today.
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I’m afraid my sink hasn’t ever shined. (And at the moment, I’m not wearing shoes either!)
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Hi! I just found your blog and I love the loom picture. We are looking into getting a loom for my daughter, Fiona, and when we saw the photo we thought it looked really cool. What kind of setup is it?
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That Koigu sock looks beautiful!
Good luck with your Flylady mode. I hope it works for you!
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So, is there a FLYknitters Yahoo! group or anything out there? 😀 Maybe there should be!
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Pretty Koigu colors. I have a few skeins of Koigu and I totally understand why a lot of people are addicted to it.
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I love Koigu.
I don’t do so well witht the flylady. I’ve tried it twice and I wanted to kill her within about 2 days. All those nagging emails! I’m busy, I’m trying to work and be a mom and have a life, quit picking on me! I don’t have TIME to put things away right now, it would mean building closets or something, and I’m on a tight deadline with this publisher! LOL I know that’s not how we’re supposed to react.
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