THE ART OF THE ERROR

Or perhaps I should have titled this, "Errors in Art."

How does one know if something is ruined, or retrievable?

I spent hours punching today, and only after those hours did I suddenly look at my highly-structured, visually precise geometric pattern and realize that something was very wrong. 

This is not a forgiving pattern--it depends entirely on balance. I saw I had punched the entire center of the rug (yes, the CENTER...oy) in a very unbalanced way, since I was being mindful of my delight of the process but not the slightest bit mindful about the plan of the process.  When I sat back and looked at the big picture, I was shocked. 

(Does this sound like something that has ramifications for life beyond a rug?) 

At least 1/3 of the center would have to be ripped out. 

And so I ripped and ripped and ripped.

Monks cloth, which is the foundation commonly used for punching, is very sturdy, but somehow my battered foundation is now looking fragile to me.  Will it hold?

(Another life metaphor.  Sorry, I can't resist.)

And then there is all that beautiful yarn I dyed.  I ripped out a mound of it.  Can I recycle it, or will I have to discard it all (!!!), and dye more?

I did soak, dry, and recycle yarn in an effort to save it.  Since I took this photo I have put these last few bits on the drying rack to straighten out.  It will be awhile before I know if this has worked or not.

But I'm not done with repairing...tomorrow I have half as much to rip out and re-do.

I cannot believe I made such a huge error.

So what have I learned:  It's not only about the process.  When doing a geometric, planning is 50% of what's needed.  I knew that already--what made me forget?  I'll never know.

Tomorrow I'll get back into it and see if I can finish the repair.  When I take the rug off the frame--and not until then--I'll know if this worked, or if I have a much more serious problem to face. 

Is the rug still salvageable?  I won't know for at least another day.

Centering...that is what I should have done repeatedly as I worked.  I didn't, and this is the result. 

A lesson for life-in-general, not just an art project.

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"Nothing is more intolerable than to have to admit to yourself your own errors."
--Beethoven