One Step Forward, Two Back

I have been so excited about the progress I'm making on the Branching Out Scarf from Knitty. I'm using Silky Wool, and I'm loving the way the yarn isn't smooth, but sort of catches on itself like twigs in the yard. Something I read the other day described the yarn as "crunchy" and I think that's a perfect description. It's like knitting with Bear Naked granola cereal.

And, of course, the pattern is described as "easy." That alone should make it do-able, even by a lace virgin like myself. And, to complete the picture, my sister, the incomparable Debbie, says she's made it twice. In fact, knowing her, she's made it twice again since that conversation!

Now about that last statement. First, my sister apparently can knit anything. She has no fear, and no limitations. Second, how in the world does she get it all done? A few possibilities: (1) she's knitting all day at work; (2) she comes home and knits all evening, now that all her kids are in college or otherwise gone; (3) she has no life; or (4) she's not as ADHD as I am, and she actually sits down and finishes her projects instead of starting new ones like I do.

And one other thing: how incredible is it that Debbie and I, separated by around 600 miles, would both be making the same pattern, without ever discussing it? The sisterhood thing is pretty incredible, when you think about it. Love ya, Debbie!

Anyway, back to Branching Out.

So, I was so excited. I think the pattern says to expect 27 repeats of the pattern in Silky Wool (more in Douceur de Soie). I'm an OCD type, so, of course, I've been counting repeats. And, low and behold, the other day I counted 13. Almost halfway there. So, right away, I had to do one more, so I'd be over 50% finished. Woo hoo!

Today, I was knocking out one more repeat, and lovingly counted the leaves crawling up this gorgeous scarf, and, WTF? One was seriously misshapen. A major screwup. So I've just frogged about six repeats. I'm probably down to 25%. Rats!