Letting Go

 

How are you? 

I am enjoying the spring flowers outside but not the cold temperatures, I guess it could be much much colder and I shouldn't complain. Our patio awning was installed for the summer season and I wondered about those people working in 30 degree weather! I cannot wait to be able to sit out there and it will be soon.

I had a knitting project that I started ages ago, a shawl, and recently pulled it out. I remember that I found multiple errors in the pattern (or I made a mistake which I highly doubt). So I fixed the mistakes as I knitted then set the shawl project aside for some baby knitting.

Anyways, I returned to knitting this shawl yesterday morning and decided that I didn't like it and ripped out about 300 yards of knitting. I loved it! I loved letting go of a project that just wasn't sparking joy. I'm now knitting simple cowls instead with the yarn.

In the past, I have ripped out entire sweaters because I didn't like the fit or style. I usually put a finished project away, sort of in time out. That allows me to settle down my emotions or expectations of the project. Sometimes I will give the sweater to someone who would love it. I like the space I give myself to discern what to do.

Letting go of expectations and emotions is a wonderful thing when I am knitting and in real life. Have you ripped out entire projects? Do you give away project disappointments? 


Comments

  1. AsKatKnitsApril 11, 2025 at 7:28 AM

    I was loving my hyacinths until the deer munched them all to nothing... sigh. Your's are so delicate and so beautiful! And good for you for letting go of a pattern and finding a better fit for the yarn! Have a fantastic weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  2. VeraApril 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM

    Little grape hyacinths are so cute and pretty! Yes, I've ripped out a sweater that I was about half way through...it just wasn't working the way I thought it would or should. The yarn is still in my stash. Some day...

    ReplyDelete
  3. JuliannApril 11, 2025 at 9:14 AM

    I absolute unknit a project that isn’t working. Twice I have finished a sweater, ignoring doubts about it along the way. Both of those sweaters have gone to the donation shop. Once I put an unfinished sweater and the rest of the yarn in the donation bag because I as t feeling the love. I just don’t have enough years left to be working with yarn or patterns that don’t spark joy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Deb J. in UtahApril 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM

    Yes, letting go of expectations and disappointing emotions is so important. I know you will enjoy that patio awning this summer. Have a good weekend. See you again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  5. BonnyApril 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM

    Letting go and ripping out often feels good, in so many ways!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mary KirklandApril 11, 2025 at 12:35 PM

    I've ripped open beaded earrings that took me days to make when they just weren't working for me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JoséApril 12, 2025 at 5:05 AM

    I've not ripped out complete sweaters, but tinked back a lot in the process. On the occasion I really didn't like the FO I just love to give it away.

    ReplyDelete

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