Knitting on a Deadline

I enjoy having a Plan. I like Structure. I love checking things off of a List. What I don’t like is Pressure. Some pressure is good – like the pressure that turns a grain of sand into a pearl. But I strongly dislike the pressure that comes with a Deadline. The pressure that reminds me that everyday is one day closer to a Date, and the reminder that the Date doesn’t really care if I accomplish what I intend by the time it arrives. And that is the kind of pressure I’m putting on myself right now.
Is it necessary? Will it be the end of the world if I don’t finish? No, of course not. But still, I want it.
I think I’ve mentioned a few times on the blog that Robert and I are going on a dream trip to Italy. We started paying for it back in July 2008, and now I can finally say we’re going next month. As part of my need to organize and plan every possible detail that’s under my control (we’re going with a group from church so there’s a lot beyond my control), I’ve been making a list of things we’ll need before we go, what I’ll wear, etc. I like to pack light, which means mixing and matching and sticking with a primarily monochromatic wardrobe. It’s going to be early spring when we go, so temperatures will range anywhere from 40F-60F. Those are my kind of temps – I love the cooler weather.
But rather than take a jacket or coat, I thought a sweater would be perfect. A handknit black sweater, of course. Despite the obvious physical differences, I have this unrealistic image in my head of being over there and feeling like Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday.” I’m sure I won’t be cruising around with Robert on a Vespa, but somehow the thought of wearing an awesome black sweater with a scarf around my neck makes me feel a little Audrey inside.
That sweater, of course, is the Slouchy Cardigan from Greetings From Knit Cafe (no photos – it’s black stockinette, so until it’s finished, it’s kind of boring). Which I’m making with Malabrigo Lace, doubled, in black, using size 9 needles. It’s knit in pieces – 1) back, 2) right front, 3) left front, 4) right sleeve, 5) left sleeve, 6) hood, and 7) seam it together. We leave in 6 weeks. Now, I’ve got the back finished, and am almost done with the right front, but that basically means I’ve got to accomplish each piece in a week. And since I won’t want to be seaming it the night before we leave, I really need to take a week off of that schedule.
Yep, pressure. It also means I won’t be knitting anything else or any color until the sweater is finished.