With Great Art Comes Great Responsibility
I am sure you all have been wondering, "where the heck has Maria been? We used to get more emails the this from that crazy, yarn lady!" I assure you, I have not gone anywhere. I have just been a tad busy.
Let me explain
After Emmeline got hurt, she spent 3 weeks in a hard cast. She was on either crutches or a knee scooter to get around. Since we live in a townhouse, that meant that I spent a lot of time being mobile for her. Then cast came off and that is when she began physical therapy. That meant a lot of appointments between follow ups with the orthopedist and seeing the physical therapist. The good news is that she is on the mend and walking around like nothing happened. Thank goodness for small miracles.
On top of that, I got promoted at my full time job (hooray!) which meant a boat load more work for me during the day. Some days I don't even get a lunch break. (My waistline has appreciated that) I have also been teaching my Monday evening class. In the midst of all of this, my husband booked us a trip to TN the third week of August where I needed to fly down to meet him and the kids because of my work schedule.
By this point, I was already exhausted. How could I possibly put anything else on my plate?
But wait, there's more.....
I got an email from a major yarn company asking for help. They needed a sample knitted up for a new design. The yarn used was brand new and had been delayed from the manufacturer. They have received it but needed the sample done and shipped back no later than September 9th. I got this email on August 12th. This is a total of 29 days between the day I got the email and the day it needed to be shipped. They said it was a sleeveless top that was made in one piece. How hard could it be? So I said yes and didn't ask any additional questions. I figured since I would be on a plane and then in the car for 14 hours, it would be the perfect time to get something quick to knit up and help out this company.
What could possibly go wrong?
The yarn came in the mail a few days later on the 14th. (27 days) I got 12 skeins of this linen and viscose blend yarn. 12!! How big was this shirt supposed to be????
The designer was on vacation so I received the pattern to my email on August 19th. (22 days) This sleeveless top was completely a lace pattern, both front and back. The only non-lace portion was the hem at the bottom, around the neck and the arm holes. It was also not one piece but rather 2 pieces seamed together.
Linen. Lace. Seams. Swatches. 22 days.
What in the actual ADHD fever dream did I just get myself into?
Welp. I was stuck. I already said yes. I already had the yarn and pattern. So I knit on.
Every single waking moment that I was not at work, I was knitting this top. I knit in the car, at doctor's appointments, at the dinner table, watching tv, you name it. This thing came everywhere with me for 3 weeks.
The night before I had to ship it back, I stayed up til 1am seaming. I woke up the morning of September 9th at 6am and started to pick up the remaining stitches for the arm hole garter edging. I finally finished this top right before my work day started. I mean, I was still in my pajamas but I was able to start work on time and get the lace top completed.
When I didn't have a meeting that afternoon, I packed everything up and brought it to the FedEx store to ship it back. I included the finished top, the 2 swatches (because I needed to get gauge), and the extra yarn. I only ended up using 5 skeins. (thank the good yarn god!)
All I have to say after this is that you should ALWAYS ask more questions when someone asks for help. Or don't.
Let the world be your canvas. Just know that with great art comes great responsibility.
Now, since this pattern and yarn will not be released to the public until the spring, I cannot share any information or pictures about it.
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