If you polled knitters, I would guess that most don't enjoy frogging. It's hours, if not days or weeks, of work that is being undone in literally seconds. It can be a very disheartening act.
However, I recently frogged a project that wasn't going well and realized just how cathartic it can be. I was so excited about this project. I was going to knit a throw for a couple of my closest friends that are getting married this summer. Ryan, the groom, has been asking, begging, me to knit him something for years. Everytime he would see me knitting, he'd ask where his scarf was, or his sweater, or his dog's sweater... So when it came time to think about wedding presents, I knew this would be the perfect gift.
Based on the items in their registry, I chose this beautiful throw for them, although knitted in different colors.
The pattern is available on Ravelry, HERE
But after 5 color changing stripes, about a foot of length and about 5 days of work, I decided this wasn't the best throw for them. While it's beautiful, it's also very loosely knitted and they have two large, snuggly dogs. Not a great combination.
Initiate frogging sequence number one. Yes, number one.
So I took the whole thing apart and started over.
I found another beautiful pattern, the classic honeycomb.
Pattern available on Ravelry, HERE
I thought this pattern would be another great way to show off the colors I had chosen for the throw, while still being knit densely enough that the stray dog paw wouldn't cause much damage. I bulked it up a little bit to convert it from a scarf to a throw, but the idea stayed the same.
I knitted about 12" before I started disliking the pattern and after 18" I was really hating it. I knew it wasn't perfect. I struggled a lot with what to do. I sent pictures to my mom and some friends asking their advice. ...initiate frogging sequence number two... When I decided to frog it, my mom thought I was insane, but as soon as I started ripping it apart, I felt SO MUCH BETTER. Once I had made the decision to rip it out and start over, I couldn't get it ripped apart fast enough. I knew the proportions of color being off was my biggest issue, so I finally found a honeycomb pattern that was perfect.
This pattern is also available on Ravelry, HERE
Several weeks later, I finished my third attempt at the throw and was finally satisfied.
Puppy is a great throw model...
Even though it probably took me twice as long to knit as it should have because I frogged it twice, I don't regret it at all. I'm so much happier with this final throw. I love it and was so excited to give it to Rachel at her bridal shower a few weeks ago. I'm even more excited to be one of Rachel's bridesmaids and share in their joy on their wedding day this summer.
Who knows, maybe I'll be knitting baby blankets for them soon. :)
