Whew! I made it through that one! I found the smallest little problem on my lace knitting: a strand of yarn was split a row or two back. No problem, says me to self. I’ll drop it down and fix it with a crochet hook. What a maroon!Â
By the end of that little decision, I had unravelled 8 sts down about 6 rows (the sts betw the green headed pin and the black pin). And then tried to ladder it back up with all the multiple yarnovers. Sally is much better at this than me, that’s for sure. This picture is NOT a picture of the offending area, but rather one I kept in front of me as a guide.
At one point I was an eighth of a second away from going back to my lifeline in defeat (the black thread in the picture). That represents over 15,000 sts and hours/days of knitting — I forced myself to keep trying. I did indeed fix the lil sucker and am plowing onward. No doubt the stress took a few days off my life!Â
I am sharing my travails here because you are the only people who might care and/or understand. Muggles just stare! 
Sleep tight!!! You deserve it.
Comment by Maria — March 9, 2008 @ 12:52 am
Wow! I admire your perseverance! Good job on conquering fatigue and taking control of your knitting!
Comment by Sarah — March 9, 2008 @ 2:35 am
From Susan — It was sheer determination not to have to re-knit all that knitting!
Comment by lv2knit — March 9, 2008 @ 3:14 am
Ugh! I so hate when that happens. “It’s just a little fix…”
Glad you conquered it.
Comment by Karen B. — March 9, 2008 @ 7:30 am
Congratulations on conquering the fix. I know just how hard it is to get yarnovers, etc. right when you drop down. Only the threat of the worse fate of going back to the lifline keeps you trying, sweating, and swearing (at least, I do).
Comment by Astrid — March 9, 2008 @ 10:24 am
I admire your tenacity – congratulations on the fix!
Comment by loribird — March 9, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
Oh! how I feel your pain! And good for you that you can fix it in the end… Me, I waste a hour or two before I realize the inevitable and rip rip rip! Thanks for the lifeline reminder ~ One I always forget.
Comment by Michelle — March 9, 2008 @ 12:29 pm
Congradulations on your success. I understand the first terror, horror and finaly the resolve. That is why you always need to have Sherry in the house. Not to drink before hand but afterwards. When it’s done if feels the same as a car accident. You need a drink and to just lay down and rest. Arn’t you glad though that you fixed it…. now instead of 5 more rows later?
Comment by kk — March 9, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
I sooooo understand. I am so impressed that you were able to fix it. I know for sure I would have had to frog it back to the lifeline.
Comment by Turtleknits — March 9, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
I just went through the same thing with a shawl I am working on. In my case, our cat grabbed my ball of yarn and took off with it. After I retreived the yarn, I realized that about five stitches had come off the needle. You sure would think it a simple matter to just pick them up but not when the yarn had streched the needles apart in the little tug of war that went on between me and the cat. Again, like you, I could have ripped back to the lifeline but no, after about 15 minutes, I put the knitting aside for the day and was able to solve the problem the next day. I only had to go down 4 rows on 8 stitches but talk about feeling like all thumbs.
What else can I say other then we’re good!, for now.
Comment by Michele with one L — March 9, 2008 @ 3:57 pm
It’s such a better feeling to fix than to rip, but sometimes it just doesn’t work. I’m glad it did here.
Comment by surly — March 9, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Ah, I feel your pain, Susan. I have a problem on one section of my Hemlock Ring that I didn’t catch because I was watching a movie. I have no lifeline. I haven’t knit on it today because I am dreading the fix. I shall drop first, rip last. Wish me luck.
Comment by Smuddpie — March 9, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
I am so glad you got it fixed. It is a beautiful piece of knitting that is way out of my league:)
Comment by kim — March 9, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
Kudos and congratulations on your success, character and persistence. We DO understand!
Comment by PainterWoman — March 10, 2008 @ 12:50 am
Take a deep breath and start again tomorrow…
I applaud your perseverance…
Comment by ianmom — March 10, 2008 @ 2:04 am
Eeeeeek! I’m so glad you didn’t have to rip back. Makes me need a stiff drink just contemplating it.
It’ll all be worth it in the end! I promise!
Comment by Soo — March 10, 2008 @ 8:40 am
Susan- Okay, I have to go find the Ativan/Xanax/Valium-
it’s a secret knitter’s prescription. Shall I put some aside for you?
Comment by Lorraine — March 10, 2008 @ 10:01 am
I totally had a hot flash just thinking of trying to fix that without ripping it out. Way too scary. I’d for sure screw it up.
Comment by Peggy — March 10, 2008 @ 4:51 pm
thanks for the nice message, Sue!
Comment by Nora aka Surly's daughter — March 10, 2008 @ 11:52 pm
WHEW! Um…perhaps it’s time for yet another lifeline now that it’s all fixed? Awesome project.
Comment by Cathi — March 11, 2008 @ 10:08 am
The dreaded split stitch is so unfair! One doesn’t even make a mistake on stitching, yet still a fix needs to be executed.
Comment by Carol — March 14, 2008 @ 9:01 am