January 25, 2007
Actual knitting content...wow!
Yes, indeed...there is actual knitting content today, with pictures even! I know that I was singing the praises of the 2 sleeves at once thing last week, but the progress is slowing down so much as I get more stitches on the needle. What does that mean? Boring. I'm not quitting though. I can see the end in sight for this sweater. After the sleeves are done, I just have the left front to knit. Of course there is the finishing work to think about. At that point though, I think that I'll be so excited to get it done and wear it that it won't be that big of deal, right?
Anytime I see the light at the end of a project, I start thinking about what's next in the lineup. Hmmm...I have so many pretty yarns. The ones pictured below are the ones that have been on my mind and in my knitting bag lately. Yes, I carry them around with me. For one, I like to look at them. For two, usually this helps me bond with the yarn, therefore helping me decide which yarn to choose. I just reread that sentence...and I sound like a bit of a weirdo. Bonding with yarn...but you guys get it, don't you? I'm not a total freak am I?
The two yarns in the back are both Malabrigo. The orange one is called Rhodesian and the green one is called Lettuce. I have a sweaters worth or more of each of them, since these skeins are huge at 216 yards/skein, and I have 10 skeins of each color. I'm thinking maybe Wicked with the orange and Starsky with the green? I've watched Jeni knit her Starsky over the last few months, and now Cynthia is knitting one too! We all are big fans of the Malabrigo. The yarn in the front of the picture is Cascade Quatro in color #9433. I'm thinking of knitting Ariann.I mean, all the cool people are knitting it. Plus, it's so darn classy. Has anybody tried to upsize it a bit? I'm worried about it fitting in the bust...so I'm hesitating. I loathe trying to mess with numbers in patterns. But, this is the knit that I'm leaning towards, so I may have to bite the bullet and figure it out. (as you can tell...I've already used the ball winder, and I'm ready to swatch) Do you want to see a close-up? Alrighty...click away to see the yummy wine and pink colored yarn!
Last, but not least, a little show and tell. My mom bought me some new Vera Bradley bags while she and my Dad were in Arizona. A ditty bag (which I think of as the perfect project bag) in pink elephant, and a laptop case and zip ID case in Capri Melon. Thanks Mom! That's all for now...got to get to work!
Posted by Stacey at January 25, 2007 07:31 AMSee... I almost forgot to come back to comment b/c I got a little distracted over at vera bradley's site. Go Gadget Go on the sleeves! Even if you pay someone to do the seaming for you (b/c I know you hate it) it'll be an FO. Can't wait to see it done!
Posted by: Cyn at January 25, 2007 09:43 AMohhhh I say starsky!!! Knit STARSKY!!
Posted by: Kelly at January 25, 2007 09:45 AMI vote for Ariann(only because I love that yarn). And thanks for the peak at your new Vera stuff :)
Posted by: Kim at January 25, 2007 10:14 AMlove the quatro - i used the same color to make a bag and a cute pair of cabled booties (for me!). it knits up great color wise!
have fun deciding!
Posted by: stephanieayn at January 25, 2007 10:32 AMI recieved a Vera Bradley purse for Christmas.. it's boxy and perfect for my projects!
I visit her site daily and I must say... I do drool!!
I love elephants so I will need to keep my eye out for something similiar to what you recieved.. but I want lime green. heh.
Posted by: Christine at January 25, 2007 11:18 AMOoh, I use a Vera Bradley bag as my project bag too! I got one for Christmas, and it holds *everything*. Mine is, um, a bit bigger than the ones everyone else has been mentioning: http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?dept=300&sku=345%3a78&
I have it in Classic Black, and I fill that sucker up! 4 projects on the needles right now, and they're ALL in the bag, along with my needle case, small purse, and assorted other bits. :)
Posted by: Jen at January 25, 2007 12:09 PMOh goodness, Ariann has been on my brain lately too...now if you cast on... That yarn is incredible. No, it's totally normal to have yarn bonding rituals. Yours makes a good bit of sense, I'd say.
Posted by: Faith at January 25, 2007 12:20 PMYou will LOVE Ariann. I swear, that sweater works miracles!
Posted by: Cara at January 25, 2007 12:24 PMBonding with yarn? Stacey, you crack me up! And yes, I get it! Love those Vera's...mine is a large tote in Java Blue.
Posted by: Julie at January 25, 2007 12:28 PMI love coming to your site because I always learn new things, like the Wicked pattern. I love the look of it and I have some malabrigo in orchid looking for a project.
Posted by: Monica at January 25, 2007 02:34 PMI'm using Cascade in that colorway for my central park hoodie, raves for the yarn color. It's lovely and will look so nice in Arian. My LYS has a sample with brown berries Malabrigos and it's deliciously soft. Sad thing is that the smaple has already started to pill so Quatro is probably a better choice, not so pill-y.
Posted by: Juls at January 25, 2007 02:58 PM
I am loving those Vera Bradley pink elephants!
Knit Ariann-I love the cascade quatro! That would look just luscious. I too hate trying to "mess" with the numbers in patterns(probably because unfortunately I'm math impaired). Great Vera Bradley bags--what a sweet Mommy you have!!
Posted by: Danielle at January 25, 2007 09:24 PMNo one is crazy that carries around Malabrigo! MmmmmmmmMalabrigo. 8)
Posted by: Crystal at January 26, 2007 03:22 PMYou're so funny - I love reading your blog! No wonder you need to carry around so many big bags all the time, so much yarn bonding. Hey, are you going to finish my poncho before you start on your next sweater, just curious, since I haven't seen it since Christmas morning and it is sooo pretty! Not that I'm being a selfish sister or anything. LOL. Love you! By the way, Alice is now calling that ditty bag you left at my house "mines" - oops, you're gonna have to fight her for it!
Posted by: Whit at January 26, 2007 03:44 PMThanks for being a bad influence...I found myself at the mall today with a VB Ditty Bag AND a Hipster in my hands!! LOL!
Posted by: Julie at January 26, 2007 03:49 PMoooohhhh new bags! You know, I've never tried malabrigo before. It seems its on everybodys favorite list maybe I should give it a go! Dont give up on the sleeves. Satisfaciton awaits!!!
Posted by: Shannon at January 28, 2007 06:59 AM