Schaefer Yarn – Andrea 100% silk, colorway Renata Tebaldi. I bought it nearly two years ago with the deliberate intent to knit Icarus. I brought the yarn home, placed it in my stash, and promptly did not cast on. Weeks, eventually months, went by and I still did not cast on.
Every time my path crossed with this skein, I would instantly think of my intentions to knit Icarus. There was never a doubt as to the pattern that yarn should be used for. Still, I did not cast on. I march to my own offbeat drum. Independent and eccentric quirky unique are good words to describe me. Sometimes too good. I can acknowledge when everyone else is right. But I won’t enjoy it. Why? Because I wasn’t first, second, or even fifty-seventh. Not a redeeming character feature but there you have it. I am not just independent; I am stubbornly-dig-my-heels-in-headstrong independent.
Recently, I needed something easily memorized and preferably lace. Icarus was a perfect match. The yarn was a perfect match to Icarus. The only thing that didn’t fit was me. It is a popular pattern. The more popular it became, the more I was determined to not “give in”. I am not comfortable with popular. Even when something is popular for a darn good reason . . . simple but not boring, well-suited for strong variegated colors not just solid yarns.
This time I didn’t listen. Instead, I pulled the yarn out, wound it into a cake, found the appropriate needles, and casted on. I loved working the stitches almost from the very beginning! My need to be different, my unfounded fear of not being seen as unique, dissolved with each column of yarn overs I added. No one was going to think less of me for being the 1253rd person starting Icarus. It was a perfect fit. Even if I had to be forced to see it.
I know there is a lesson in here somewhere. Probably some point to be made about letting go of fears, enjoy something for the sake of the doing, or learning that my own opinion is the only one that matters at least with my knitting. I’ll have plenty of time to ponder while I have this shawl on my needles.
Do you have a project, knitting or other, that you have been reluctant to start? If so, what is holding you back?
8 responses so far ↓
Manda // Aug 4, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Well, it’s absolutely beautiful!! :) I have projects that I’m reluctant to start, but it’s mostly because I have WIP/UFO guilt. :) That, and with training for the 3-day, I don’t have the brain capacity to handle any of the lace projects I want to start.
Shorty // Aug 5, 2008 at 3:40 am
I have the opposite issue. I cast on any/and everything I wish. Which means my UFO’s are outrageous. I’ll probably never finish anything because I see something new and cast it on right away.
bells // Aug 5, 2008 at 5:07 am
wow, so glad to see you cast aside your fears and cast on Icarus! It’ll be lovely.
I have little mind battles over the popular things sometimes but obviously not enough to make me stop doing them. I don’t tend to ride the first crest - usually the later ones. And I think that the later crests are best!
Debbie // Aug 5, 2008 at 5:27 am
I am kind of the same way. When I look at what’s hot, I have not knitted any of them. While I might like the pattern, I don’t like feeling like I’m doing it because everyone else is. Sometimes I wait until the popularity of a project wanes and MAY do it then.
Stephanie // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:02 am
I have the same feelings you did towards the Clap!
At the top of my queue is the DNA Protopretty Shell. Ever since I saw it (now a couple of years) I have wanted to make one. I have had the yarn for it for over a year. I keep saying it will be the next thing to cast on, however something comes up: baby knitting, work, my sister’s wedding stuff, etc. I should just take your example and take the plunge, huh!?
LaurieM // Aug 5, 2008 at 10:09 am
I was just thinking about Icarus as vacation knitting. I wish I had such a lovely yarn to work it in!
Larjmarj // Aug 8, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Reluctant to start? Dont’ even get me started on the things sitting in my Rav queue taunting me.
Your Icarus will be fab!
Kate // Sep 8, 2008 at 4:54 pm
ooo, squirmy squirmy reluctance to admit that you are sooooo right!
I think I shall have to take a moment (or maybe half a day) to do the stash-toss, sort out WIPs and UFOs and yarns and patterns that I’ve had for ages, and do myself some kind of list.
Ok, I know - the thing I’ve been wanting to do for ages? That I swatched and dreamed of? I’ll design that one. Just you watch me!
:>
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