During my early days as a knitter, my perfectionist streak was very, very strong. Its seemed that I didn't have it in me to allow a less than perfect finished product. Countless scarves, dishcloths, hats, and tons and tons of lace were systematically frogged for the sin of having a minor error in the stitching...and when I say minor, it could have been something as simple as one misplaced stitch that would be completely looked over by anyone who didn't know it was there. I think it has to do with the nature of learning...when you are trying to teach yourself a new skill, it seems like the only way that you can measure your progress is to have a perfect knitted object before you, because if it isn't perfect, how can you tell if you are doing it right?
One of the ways that I measure my progress as a knitter is to measure how willing I am to allow minor imperfections to stay in my work. Its like I don't feel like I need to make everything exactly perfect anymore, and I don't have to prove that I'm a perfect knitter-which is a huge step for me.
And you know what? My knitting is better for it. Without the stress of trying to be perfect, my finished pieces have been turning out much better. I enjoy the process more, and the work benefits from that.
I think learning to spin was a major part of this transition as well...it helped me learn to let go a little. Someone very wise told me "you hold your fiber with the amount of stress you want to have in your life" and I think the concept totally applies to knitting in a broader sense. Things are as perfect or imperfect as you want them or will allow them to be. Any you know what?
That's just perfect to me.
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