I am knitting for the first time in about 20 years. I saw this yarn that I paid too much for and a pattern I thought I could do. (I never been one for complicated patterns.)
It took me about three rounds of the repeating pattern to get it right, and then I reversed it or something, but I have got it now and it no longer feels hard. It is a shawl/scarf, it is for me, and I made the executive decision not to start over. I use wheelchair full time so if I am wearing it, no one will notice that one end is sort of screwed up.
I have made one. I frogged it about seven times. I won’t be making another - if that’s how emotional support feels, I’ll push through on my own thanks…
I actually bought the pattern, read through it, and promptly went looking (and found) an easier, simpler chicken knitting pattern. I've knit a lot of complex knitting over the years, but I could sense doom the second I looked at it! ha! :-S
It is absolutely okay to start a project and decide 'this isn't working for me right now.' I haven't been tempted by the chicken, but some years ago I jumped (or attempted to) on the Christmas gnome bandwagon. I selected my minis and started on the little fellow. And I enjoyed it, sort of. But them I decided to knit a project with a seasonal calendar I was opening, and threw in a couple of last minute gift knits, and found I didn't really care to go back to it. It is waiting for its time. Maybe this year, maybe never. And I'm totally okay with that. I treat books the same way. All in their time.
8 hrs ago·edited 8 hrs agoLiked by Louise Tilbrook
I applaud your decision to abandon knitting your chicken. There are some things you simply must struggle through with faith that the pain and effort are worth it—my current course of physical therapy comes to mind. But knitting a chicken? Just because "everybody else" did? No. If there is no pleasure in the knitting, it's time to move on to a project that brings you joy. Simple stitches, delicious yarn, and glorious colors.
As an avid knitter I am totally with you! If knitting is a hobby it is supposed to be fun and relaxing!
I have not knitted the Emotional support chicken, although I ofcourse have the pattern in my pipe-line. 😉But thanks for the heads up. This is not a pattern for a foggy brain.
Feeling you! I am knitting the Turtleneck Batwing by Jennifer Hansen. It's a fun, modern yet timeless swoncho style sweater. I've been knitting for 25+ years. This pattern has tested me numerous times. It's not a very intuitive pattern. I ripped out and reknit the turtleneck portion alone 4 times. Not kidding. A turtleneck with some cables. That said, somehow I've made it to the bottom ribbing. Will be very glad to finish it. I'm already eyeing a fair isle hat for some respite.
I did finish the ‘Emotional Support Chicken’ but not without needing some support. It was tricky. I forwarded this post to a friend that put her chicken in time out.
I have the pattern but have yet to attempt the chicken. I have seen a few wonky chickens but, honestly, thay just adds to their charm. As for the knitted chickens some of them are a little wonky too. 😊
As a successful knitter of a chicken (but not that pattern) it is frustrating, and if you don’t want to do it, don’t do it. (Chicken can be seen on my substack as I can’t post a pic here). I’m not sure I’m do many if any more. It is possible, it’s definitely not necessary.
This reminded me about someone who brought a snake project week after week to a knitting group I belonged to years ago. She seemed happy to be knitting that one, so there you go. 😃 Jokes apart, sometimes the question is “how badly do you want to knit that thing”.
Not knitting this chicken falls into the no banging your head against a wall in my book! I’ve slugged thru a bunch of things and still gotten to a point where ripping the entire thing out and saving the yarn for a better suited option sounds like a wiser option than being miserable!!!
I’m knitting a sweater for a 4 year old using a pattern that is sized from 6 months all the way up to adult plus sizes (4X). I’m hell bent on mastering this classic pattern and use it forever to supply my young buddy with sweaters for life.
Ha ha ha - I put down my work on the collar 2 months ago because “German short rows”.
I am knitting for the first time in about 20 years. I saw this yarn that I paid too much for and a pattern I thought I could do. (I never been one for complicated patterns.)
It took me about three rounds of the repeating pattern to get it right, and then I reversed it or something, but I have got it now and it no longer feels hard. It is a shawl/scarf, it is for me, and I made the executive decision not to start over. I use wheelchair full time so if I am wearing it, no one will notice that one end is sort of screwed up.
I'm so pleased you have come back to knitting. May you have many happy hours ahead of you
I'm with you all the way with your idea of a simple emotional support snake! I laughed out loud when I read your thoughts on that. xx
And on the plus side in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint we'll acquire a handy draught excluder for the front door 🤣
I have made one. I frogged it about seven times. I won’t be making another - if that’s how emotional support feels, I’ll push through on my own thanks…
Ha! This feels very relatable for me right now. I don't know why I thought something with so much counting and W&Ts would be relaxing.
I actually bought the pattern, read through it, and promptly went looking (and found) an easier, simpler chicken knitting pattern. I've knit a lot of complex knitting over the years, but I could sense doom the second I looked at it! ha! :-S
It is absolutely okay to start a project and decide 'this isn't working for me right now.' I haven't been tempted by the chicken, but some years ago I jumped (or attempted to) on the Christmas gnome bandwagon. I selected my minis and started on the little fellow. And I enjoyed it, sort of. But them I decided to knit a project with a seasonal calendar I was opening, and threw in a couple of last minute gift knits, and found I didn't really care to go back to it. It is waiting for its time. Maybe this year, maybe never. And I'm totally okay with that. I treat books the same way. All in their time.
I hear you and… Good on you!!! Recently I have found a number of projects that I hated knitting.
OMG.....a wonky chicken!!!!! i'm losing it here!!!!! lololol
personally, i like my chicken in the soup pot!!!!! lmao
I applaud your decision to abandon knitting your chicken. There are some things you simply must struggle through with faith that the pain and effort are worth it—my current course of physical therapy comes to mind. But knitting a chicken? Just because "everybody else" did? No. If there is no pleasure in the knitting, it's time to move on to a project that brings you joy. Simple stitches, delicious yarn, and glorious colors.
Exactly. I might come up back to it at some point. Or might not 🤣
As an avid knitter I am totally with you! If knitting is a hobby it is supposed to be fun and relaxing!
I have not knitted the Emotional support chicken, although I ofcourse have the pattern in my pipe-line. 😉But thanks for the heads up. This is not a pattern for a foggy brain.
Absolutely. It's a pattern for a clear head and time to focus
Feeling you! I am knitting the Turtleneck Batwing by Jennifer Hansen. It's a fun, modern yet timeless swoncho style sweater. I've been knitting for 25+ years. This pattern has tested me numerous times. It's not a very intuitive pattern. I ripped out and reknit the turtleneck portion alone 4 times. Not kidding. A turtleneck with some cables. That said, somehow I've made it to the bottom ribbing. Will be very glad to finish it. I'm already eyeing a fair isle hat for some respite.
FYI … there is a tutorial on YouTube for this Chicken ….search Emotional Support Chicken and the video by The Knitting Tree will pop up.
I did finish the ‘Emotional Support Chicken’ but not without needing some support. It was tricky. I forwarded this post to a friend that put her chicken in time out.
And I agree … knitting is for relaxing 🙂
I have the pattern but have yet to attempt the chicken. I have seen a few wonky chickens but, honestly, thay just adds to their charm. As for the knitted chickens some of them are a little wonky too. 😊
As a successful knitter of a chicken (but not that pattern) it is frustrating, and if you don’t want to do it, don’t do it. (Chicken can be seen on my substack as I can’t post a pic here). I’m not sure I’m do many if any more. It is possible, it’s definitely not necessary.
This reminded me about someone who brought a snake project week after week to a knitting group I belonged to years ago. She seemed happy to be knitting that one, so there you go. 😃 Jokes apart, sometimes the question is “how badly do you want to knit that thing”.
Not knitting this chicken falls into the no banging your head against a wall in my book! I’ve slugged thru a bunch of things and still gotten to a point where ripping the entire thing out and saving the yarn for a better suited option sounds like a wiser option than being miserable!!!
I’m knitting a sweater for a 4 year old using a pattern that is sized from 6 months all the way up to adult plus sizes (4X). I’m hell bent on mastering this classic pattern and use it forever to supply my young buddy with sweaters for life.
Ha ha ha - I put down my work on the collar 2 months ago because “German short rows”.