I knit to a double standard. When I read in blogs or on Ravelry that a new knitter is hesitant about knitting a sweater or tackling some technique that is easy for me, my response is always “go for it”. But when it comes to taking on something new, my feet get cold also. I knew the day would arrive when I would reach the drop-stitch bee motif, but I put that in the back of my mind. I’ve never knitted a drop-stitch pattern. I suppose the reason is that I don’t find them practical. It seems as if they’ll catch on something or the item is just too lacy for me. But when I saw Bee Fields it was a “love at first sight” project and I just plunged in.
Despite the great directions, something about yarning over and then deliberately dropping the yarnovers didn’t really sit well. (Just wait until I try steeks for the first time and have to cut into my knitting. Now that seems truly terrifying.) But now that I see the effect of the drop-stitch bee I’m enchanted.
The 6 rows that form this motif have taken me the entire week and row 5 alone took 2 hours last night. There is a bit of tinking required on row 6 tonight to really finish it off correctly and ready the knitting for the next group of drop-stitch bees. So the chances of finishing by the KAL deadline are vanishing. I measured the shawl when I photographed it, and the small size seems more appropriate for me, and so there are fewer rows to finish than I planned. So will the shorter length help me finish on time? I don't know yet. I am pleased that this part of the shawl worked out so well, and perhaps now some of the time spent wondering how this will work out will be redirected to getting more bees finished. Section 3 is 30 rows long, and only 6 are about done--and then it is on to the border.
That is a fine looking bee there. By the time you've finished the last row of them I'm sure you will be wondering what there was to be worried about.
Posted by: Caroline M | September 12, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Cute little bee. It probably will catch on things, but no worse than any lace knitting, I hope.
Posted by: Luni | September 12, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Oooh, I really like the way it looks so far!
Posted by: robin | September 12, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Two hours on one row! Yikes. This definitely is sounding like one of those things you don't knit with a glass of wine by your side. :-)
Posted by: Lorette | September 12, 2008 at 05:45 PM
It's good to know that even experienced and amazing knitters like you still feel hesitant and apprehensive about knitting at times! I'm sure you'll make it beautiful!
Posted by: tiennie | September 13, 2008 at 01:36 AM
lovely bee! The color on that yarn is so amazing too :)
Posted by: Chris | September 16, 2008 at 10:12 AM