When a knit doesn't quite live up

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There's the hip-hip-hooray of a great FO and then there's the blah-blah-blahness of a FO that just does not live up to that initial idea of what you were going to create.

The success of Francis meant I felt fortified with hip-hip-hoorayness to face the serious blahs that had overtaken the slippers started last month. I had high hopes for these: they look beautiful in the picture, I did my research on the few projects made on Ravelry, the pattern has been in the 'thinking about knitting list' forever, the yarn was some of the first yarn stashed back when I barely knew what a stash was and was misadventuring in yarn substitutions, I even had some cute fabric scraps for the insoles.
I wore through my favourite slippers not long ago so it seemed like a project that was destined to be. The first slipper zipped off the needles but I couldn't believe it would fit me and I seamed it up as soon as I was done knitting to check it would fit, it did but it was blatantly apparent that it was not going to look like the one in the picture. Not ever, no way, no how. So off the slipper sloped to the naughty knits corner for a little time out, time for me to give up the hopes for the slippers I had in mind and try to decided if the slippers that were appearing in reality were good enough.

In the end the speed of the knit and the utility of the finished articles pushed me on - these were never going to be the pretty slippers I'd planned but finishing them seemed about the same effort as ripping for a more useful result. Honestly though when I looked at these ugly ducklings next to the swan in the pattern book, well they looked like lilies for the frog pond if I ever saw any.Luckily the addition of the insoles dragged these back from the brink - these may not be as pretty as the picture but I'll wear them and those polka dots make me smile at least.
Pattern: Slippers from Debbie Bliss Simple Living
Yarn: Patons Mercerised Cotton DK, 1/2 100g ball - Orchard (2721)
Needles: 3.75mm Wooden Straights
Started: 5 April 2009
Finished: 27 May 2009
Modifications: Added cardboard as well as some old leather insoles before covering and some 'pleather' for soles.
I think using a mercerised cotton may have left the knit with less structure than an unmercerised, less slippery cotton would have done? Anyway, they are what they are - a bit blah but useful.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Oh I know just what you mean...it happens to me a lot...have a look here, if you have the time or inclination:

http://redwelliesrainbowsandcinnamonwhirls.blogspot.com/2009/02/ugh.html

Thanks for visiting my corner of blogland, come back any time for a cuppa! :)
28 May 2009 at 21:27:00 BST
marycatharine said…
I think they look great on, which is most important right? Sometimes I wonder if there is quite a bit of styling going on in books and magazines.
28 May 2009 at 23:46:00 BST
dreamcatcher said…
I think they look great on, the lining fabric is a lovely zingy contrast too. As you say it might be the mercerised cotton having a bit less oomph but would agree that the magazine styling could have done anything with them - spray starch for example!
29 May 2009 at 10:45:00 BST
Caffeine Girl said…
I agree with Dreamcatcher. I suspect they used starch or something in styling the photo.

But they work, so they count as a success in my book.
29 May 2009 at 14:20:00 BST
raining sheep said…
Well, I don't know, but I really like them. They look comfy and easy to wear and ultimately that is what a slipper is all about. You are right, a stiffer yarn probably might have given you the look in the picture, but, when you put them on....they look like the ones in the picture because your foot fills them out. I do love that insole fabric.
30 May 2009 at 04:53:00 BST
Bells said…
you know, I think you need to be applauded for not giving up when they were initially disappointing. I might have. But you didn't and you made something cute and funky out of them! Good work!
30 May 2009 at 10:40:00 BST
Rose Red said…
I know what you mean when an FO doesn't live up to your expectations - it is a bit of a shame isn't it. But these, well, I think they are fab! The lining is great, they look very comfy and hello, the pattern ones are clearly laminated or something, to make them stand up the way they have!!
30 May 2009 at 13:54:00 BST
t does wool said…
they look comfy,though....
30 May 2009 at 14:16:00 BST
florencemary said…
Sorry that you've had to experience the lows, right after the highs... baah. Slippers - hmmm! Always likely to be difficult size-wise, I think (especially those patterns where you have to shrink them with felting).

But if your slippers feel fine, then it doesn't matter that they don't look like the perfectly-poised slippers in the photo! Baah to perfectly-poised!
30 May 2009 at 16:38:00 BST
Lynne said…
If hose slippers in the photo are a commecial pattern, they may be stuffed where you can't see it.
Or possibly even starched to stay like that!

Yours are functional and look comfy. The fabric reminds me of Mickey Mouse and thus made me smile! :-)
31 May 2009 at 07:36:00 BST
Anna said…
I was wondering what would have made the difference - I bet you're right about the yarn. They do look pretty on though!
4 June 2009 at 19:55:00 BST
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