Opal Ghan. A co-worker gave me a pillow from her sofa and requested a ghan. I've made ghans for her previously, before carpal tunnel and arthritis were an issue. She doesn't like open stitches of any kind, she likes solid. When I was younger that wasn't an issue, but it is now. That's my excuse for this being the 2nd longest running WIP I've had in all my years of crocheting and knitting. I started this ghan with one idea in mind. I rarely use a pattern when making ghans, as I like to wing it. I'm actually good at that, good at seeing what something will look like, and guestimating how much yarn to purchased. NORMALLY that is. Somehow with this, I was really off. I was coming along nicely with the project, probably about 2/3 of the way there, when I grab the bag to select another skein of yarn and realized............YIKES! I didn't have enough. m I'd had it long enough I knew there was no reason to even try and match yarn, plus....couldn't ask her to buy more or give me money to do so. Sooooooooooooo, checked my stash and decided the taupe (see 2 side panels), would blend nicely. So, frogged the whole thing (except squares), though I did take apart those that had been joined. ARGHRip it, Rip it, I really hate frogging. Often if I run into a snag I'm able to change midstream without having to do that. Not this time. And so, the project continues. Here you see it in stage 2. The other problem I'm dealing with is working from both ends of a skein of yarn, can't risk running short with this 2nd design. So, I do a bit on the middle, then a bit on the side panels, then make a square or two. Not at all the way I like to work. I need to constantly keep counting and measuring to be sure the 3 pieces will come together properly.
The other problem I'm having, I don't like what I'm working on. I'm not a fan of the colors and I find working on something I don't like, or am not excited by difficult. I am however forcing myself to keep this out in the open and work on it a bit each and everyday, even as I work on other projects. Breaking it up like this helps.
Someone please pour me another glass of wine!
RAV
I understand about frogging and working on things where the high interest just isn't there. It just seems to drag and drag. I've also had projects where I have run out of yarn, but accidentally purchased yarn from two dye lots which turn out not to match, as happened just this week! Good luck with this one. Hope it's gone soon.
ReplyDeletewhat is frogging? I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteFrogging is ripping back your work, generally to redo it.
ReplyDeletewell then I'd dislike it too. I did that twice yesterday and then gave up.
ReplyDeleteI actually like the colors and it looks beautiful so far. I totally know where you're coming from though. When you just don't have love for a project it's hard to continue.
ReplyDeleteIt's much easier to work with colors you love ;) I find crocheting much harder on my wrist, elbows...I think that's why I prefer knitting. Good luck finishing your afghan for your friend. I'm sure it will be beautiful when you are finished with it :)
ReplyDeletedon't you just hate that....that happened to me a couple of times....and then, not like the color...i can imagine how you feel, i have to love the color or colors i am using or forget about it. good luck, a little bit everyday will get you to the finish. have a nice day. rizzi
ReplyDeleteSome projects definitely take more stamina than others!
ReplyDeleteI have had to stop taking on knitting for friends for the specific reason that I always end up hating what I'm doing and then feel guilty about giving them something with such bad feeling knit into it. I do find that having another glass of wine can help ease the pain, though.
ReplyDeleteI completely hear you. My sister's promised "tablecloth" became a "table runner" instead for just that reason. Love my sis; *hated* that bloody project. Oddly enough, now that it's done, I really love it. LOL! Hope you come to feel that way about this afghan at some point! :)
ReplyDeleteYou've all made me feel better, knowing you too struggle with certain projects because of the color.
ReplyDeletehakucho, I try to go back and forth with knitting and crocheting, because like you I think the crocheting bothers my arthritis, carpal tunnel etc more.