A Real Monster

Okay. So I'm within a couple of rows of being finished with my Shift Cowl . . . 

And . . . meh.

It's turned into a real monster.

I chose three skeins of Spincycle Dyed in the Wool in colors that seemed like they would blend well in a shifty sort of way for this project. And, yeah, there were some surprising color runs in the skeins as I wound the yarn into balls, but I decided to trust the process. I wanted to just let the "magic" of Spincycle yarn - combined with Andrea Mowry's shift recipe - play out. I fought my inclination to manipulate the colors as I knit. I gave myself plenty of "real estate" to let everything just . . . come together. And you know what?

It didn't really come together for me.

And now I'm ending up with . . . a "Franken-cowl!"

It's like I have two cowls in one, here.

There's the rhythmic, gentle shifting, playing-with-darks-and-lights cowl at the start. And then . . . everything shifts into the Other Cowl . . . still rhythmic, sure, but suddenly looking a bit . . . Candy Land? And not really tying in at all to that earlier dark-and-light portion. And that abrupt change is kinda killing me. Or maybe it's the too-large swath of mint green? Because there is lots of of mint green, which didn't look so minty in the skein. (And I am not a fan of mint green.) 

In hindsight, I wish I'd trusted my instincts and manipulated the colors. That abrupt change when I switched out the skeins (according to the pattern directions, but . . . with a shift project, the directions are really just suggestions) didn't work so well for this particular trio of skeins.

I spent most of yesterday considering . . . ripping back to the color change and re-working it. And I probably should have. But I didn't. (Technically, I still could. But I'm ready to move on. Y'know?)

So . . .  I've created a monster.
A real Franken-Cowl.
It will still keep me warm, though.
(Although my eye may twitch when I look at it too long.)

==

NOTE: There will be another Shift Cowl in my near future. Because I love the design and I love knitting this pattern. And I will try Spincycle Dyed in the Wool again. But . . .  I'll be going in with eyes wide open and and a heavy hand, color-wise for my next one!

==

How about you?
What are you making this week?

Comments

[Carole]

Well. I don't think it's all that bad but it's definitely not you. When I knit my shift cowl I ended buying a 4th skein of yarn because I just wasn't getting enough contrast with the 3 I originally selected.

[Valerie]

Could you over dye it? Just throw it in a dye bath to cover the green?

[Sarah]

Oh dear. I'm sorry it's turned out to be a bit of a disappointment (especially considering the price of that yarn!). At least when you're wearing it you won't see that much of it? I hope you can get more of the effect you wanted on the second try.

[Bonny]

I can see what you're talking about, especially in the first picture. It's a bit too jarring for me, but you are the Boss of Your Knitting. Franken-Cowl has taught you a lesson (and it will be warm)!

[Juliann]

I want very much to get a skein of Spincycle but I don’t know that I would be brave enough to try and blend multiple skeins. I always love the look of these shift projects but didn’t like the reality of the knitting.

[Kim]

I want to do this cowl and I know what you mean, those abrupt shifts. I have to say I think your's looks good--it doesn't seem overly jarring to me.

[Dee]

Maybe not what you were going for, but I think it looks pretty in the photos.

[Margene]

Would just a little more dark at the end of your cowl save it for you? I see what you mean, but I personally like the candy land colors because, well, pink! I'm finishing (this week, I hope) a sweater I have been working on for too long! It should have been done months ago, but this is its month. (Yes, it is.)

[Patty]

I finished a sweater this week! Sleeves are a little long after blocking but we'll see. Got a baby blanket going too. Considering pulling my incomplete nightshift out of the closet which I do not like (it's not finished but I don't like the color scheme...thinikng maybe I could try going with my gut and see how it goes). My s-i-l wore her gorgeous one the other day so semi-inspired again. And I see what you mean with the cowl - but it will keep you warm, you won't see it and folks are going to love it on you!

[Patty]

Re-reading my comment and twitching. It's the nightshift I don't like not the closet! LOL

[Bridget]

I love that pattern and knitting it so much! But if you are not happy with it, you probably should make your adjustments - or use it for a gift for someone special.

[Helen Mathey-Horn]

I don't think it looks that bad, but hey put it in the 'Christmas Knit Gift' pile. There has to be someone you can think of who will love it.

[Jane]

Sometimes yarns just don't knit up the way I envision either. I'm sorry the process didn't work because the pattern is interesting and Spin Cycle yarn is a lovely - maybe just not with mint green.

[Pam]

One solution is to wear it, and then see who really loves it - and then give it to them. Maybe on the spot, maybe later as a present. (I just realized I am working hard to avoid my pet peeve, using gift as a verb in these sentences.)

I've only used Spincycle yarns with a solid, and been mostly pleased. I'm wearing my Stonecrop sweater right now - some parts didn't contrast ENOUGH with my solid, but ultimately I'm pleased.

[Vicki]

My initial thought was that you won't really see it much when you're wearing it! But I love Pam's idea!!

[Mary]

well that's a darn it, Kym - I'm sorry! and it's funny (sad, not haha), but I don't know anyone who's trusted the yarn and the pattern and just knitted it as written and been DELIGHTED with the outcome. ugh.