Method to madness!
The why and how of frogging, CraftDoodling Designs News, etc.
My cousin once told me about a knitter whom she happened to see on a flight journey. ✈️ She had been absent-mindedly watching the knitter doing her thing, when all of a sudden, the knitter had stopped, pulled out her knitting from the needles, and had completely ripped it out.
"All that work, gone in an instant! 💨", my cousin said to me.
At that moment, my heart went out to this anonymous knitter and I felt an inexplicable connection with her. Being the only knitter in my family, my cousin obviously looked to me for some explanation of this behavior. I mumbled an incoherent response and promptly changed the subject at that time.
However, her description of the incident got me thinking about how the things we do casually as knitters must appear to the non-knitter. Even among knitters, our approach to the craft and the mistakes that happen can vary significantly.
First let us consider the two intriguing terms associated with correcting mistakes - frogging and tinking!
Frogging, as the name suggests, involves ripping out the knitted work to rectify an error. It derives its name from the repetitive "rip it, rip it" action, which is reminiscent of a frog's "ribbit, ribbit" sound. 🐸
Tinking, on the other hand, refers to the process of undoing a row of knitting one stitch at a time to correct a mistake. Interestingly, "tink" is simply "knit" 🔙 spelled backward.
These friendly terms likely exist to soften the blow of having to undo potentially hours of knitting. The knitting community, known for its understanding and supportiveness, extends moral comfort, sympathy, and wisdom to those who bravely decide to "frog" a project.
Deciding whether to frog or not, however, is an entirely separate matter. 🧶 I think, for experienced knitters, it is easier to decide about a major mistake - the ones that threaten a project's integral structure and functionality.
It is the minor insignificant ones that often get overanalyzed - misplaced cable twist 🥨, one messed up stitch in a sea 🌊 of perfect stitch repeats, etc.
I tried to draw a flowchart for the analysis.Certainly, there must be a method to the madness ?🧐
What do you think? 😅 What is your approach to dealing with knitting mistakes? Would you add anything to this flowchart? Leave a comment to let me know! 💙
CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES
My next pattern, Pretty Little Brioche Scarf is slated to be released in the first week of March. Here’s a little sneak peek for now. :)
Sneak Peek : Pretty Little Brioche Scarf I am so thrilled and excited to be part of one of dear
‘s collaborations again this year. She dreams up the best ones. 💭🤔Read Anne’s post here to know the whole story. 💗
If you fancy one of Anne’s lovely kits, that also features a beginner brioche class from yours truly, here is where you sign-up. 🫶
Testing is underway for my Manzil Socks. Thanks to everyone who offered to test-knit. ❤️
Two of my classes went up recently on Fillory Yarn website
“Look! I made a scarf” - is for beginners who have just learned to knit & purl.
Learn quite a few finishing techniques in this one small project - Matte Hood.
FEATURED PATTERN
Obviously, I can’t stop thinking of my earlier collaboration with Anne in 2021. She let me design this one for one of her subscription boxes at that time. Still savoring the memories of Savor shawl.😊
It is available on Ravelry and Payhip for download. ❤️
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE
I loved reading 1% Rule: A Poet’s take on Atomic Habits by
here on Substack.Currently Reading 📚
Something in the water - Catherine Steadman
Watchmen - Alan Moore
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:
Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.
Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!
Introduce this newsletter to a friend!
Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.
I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!
This may sound odd, but I never worry about the time spent knitting. And that include ripping or frogging or any of the many ways to correct a flaw. I guess knitting for me is like a sport is for others. You walk on to a basketball court knowing you are always looking for ways to perfect your abilities. Knowing that there will be missed shots and times practicing shots and also at the foul line. That's part of that sport. I actually look forward to throwing some stitches on a needle to practice a new type of decrease or to see what will happen if I use two different size needles! No worries if that yarn is all undone later for some other practice session. After years of such time with needles in your hands you begin to have a sixth sense of any flubs that might have just taken place and there by catch them early on to more easily correct. And if it does need to be ripped, frogged or tinked back to, you just take it in stride as something you need to do. No biggie. Take that foul shot and go on with the game! 🤗 ( Note: I laughed out loud when spell check wanted to correct tinked to tinkled! 🤣)
I love that chart!