Big Blue

"Ripple of blue in which are
distinct blues.  Bold
centaur-seahorse-salt-carnation
flower of work and transition." 
  --  Denise Levertov

Mixed feelings. "Warm Up Chicago: Wear a Sweater," affectionately known as Big Blue the Blueberry is no longer the lovely sphere I had created.  Wind and rain have already created dramatic changes.  There is some sag along the South Pole where cord had once been knitted smooth and taut. 

Possible causes -  The industrial polyester braid I used had more give than told.  The gentle ripples along the northern hemisphere proved to be too heavy and shifted.  My knitting was not as taut as I thought. 

I don't know.

I can't say the piece looks bad.  It doesn't.  The turtleneck at the North Pole is askew.  It could do with a small "yank" and shift, but the draping sag gives the piece new meaning and possibilities. But it isn't what I visualized.  I loved the neatness of the sphere. 

Do I leave it alone?  Or do I request permission to reknit the lower 1/8th of the globe now that it has already been installed and seen by thousands?  It is easily visible from the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive and near the main entrance into the Field Museum.  I really couldn't ask for better placement. I didn't realize that it was visible from Lake Shore Drive until I was driving home and saw it in the rear view mirror.  I was so proud, which made me freak out even more.  Should I consider this an experiment in progress?   I've never knit anything so large (not counting the Red Thread Project).  I've never knit with polyester braid.  I've never left my work out in the rain for extended periods of time.  I wanted to prove that knitting is an outdoor medium that lends itself to sculptures and installations.  Have I proved that despite the unanticipated sag?  Am I being a perfectionist and should get over myself?   

My friend Lisa Whiting, fellow artist and installation knitter, is joining me tomorrow to take a look at Big Blue.  I need another opinion.  I need to figure out what the heck happened. I take pride in my skills, so the sag is annoying.  I didn't make it, so it shouldn't be there.  Oh, ugh.

After pondering, photographing and quizzing dozens of passerby for their opinions, I took a walk.  It didn't stop me thinking, but the initial urge to scream was short circuited.

Comments

[Chuck]

Great web site and a beautiful, colorful globe. It must have taken weeks to complete. You are the knitter of knitters!

[Chuck]

Great web site and a beautiful, colorful globe. It must have taken weeks to complete. You are the knitter of knitters!