And Then Disaster Struck!

I wish I had a camera. I do feel that a least a few knitters would have gasped to see it....

I've been working on my Going Out Shrug, like a mad woman. I made it to the edging piece which was awesome! Thursday night I spent a long time picking up stitches....I was only able to pick up about 1/2 the stitches before my eyes started to drop. I picked up the rest in the morning before work and carted the whole mess to the office.

Maybe I should've taken the hint? I noticed there was a problem with my circulars. Then the size 7 needle went missing. But I thought it was ok when I found the needle.

I looked at my knitting at work and showed someone how I had picked up 375 stitches, yes, 375. It was the most stitches I had EVER picked up (and really ever knit in one round). I showed a co-worked (not a knitter, but did other crafts) and complained a little.

Friends and I were going to lunch and as I was getting ready, I saw it. I totally froze! I didn't know what to do. My circular needle cable had freed itself from the needle! There a quarter of my 375 stitches sat, looking at me confused trying to decide if they should pull out or just stick around.

I almost cried. I realized that I had made an idiot move, being over confident and thinking I didn't need my knitting pouch (which contained any number of things that could have saved the day). I tried a few first aid moves (paper clip and yarn), then I tried calling every knitter in my building. Nothing! I told my boss I was leaving this blob on the table in our office and threatened bodily harm to anyone who touched it.

Then I went to lunch. Yeah, you wonder how I went to lunch with all the stitches hanging out with no support? I had a plan! First, I went to lunch at a Thai restaurant (Little Spice, which was AWESOME!) with two new knitters. I explained my predicament, which didn't have as much impact on them.....however, I was able to persuade the one driving me around to take me to Michael's!

Success! I bought another size 7 circular needle (I may be done with interchangeables for a bit...) and a few tapestry needles, just in case. After I returned to work I spent a crazy amount of time picking up the lost stitches and moving the rest onto the new needles.

Unfortunately, after the betrayal by my needles, and I can't help think my shrug had some role in it, I lost all motivation to work on it. I look at it now, feel down that I won't finish it in time for the wedding we're going to. It would've been perfect.

I hate when things go awry.