Knitting knitting and more knitting

 I have officially painted myself into a corner with knitting projects for the next 6 months.  Deadlines are looming!

I mentioned previously that I was knitting a top called The Stockinette Top.  It is a top down raglan project that I thought I would easily knock out.  I started with a yarn that just was a little off guage and then I had problems with the very first element - a neckline that wouldn’t stop curling.  I did half the top and I ripped it out.  But I wanted this top.  So I purchased the yarn suggested by the designer - Drops Air.  That made a big improvement in the finished project.  But I wasn’t sure I liked the color I bought - but I plowed on to the end, and the color actually looks good on me in the mirror. But it isn’t a color I typically purchase.  Too neutral or something.  Regardless I finished that top.  

Drops Air is a blown yarn that is a light weight aran weight, comfortably warm, in a color I grew to like - and cheap! I don’t like how I did the neck but I don’t dislike it enough to rip this out and start again!!  Remember - this was my 2nd start at this pattern.  Drops Yarn has some surprisingly great yarns at incredibly cheap prices.

I added a long 4x1 rib and a small 3 row stockinette roll edge.  I could have just cast off with the 4x1 rib, but the small rolled edge did give it a better finish than a cast off edge.  The long rib seems to be a thing on Ravelry. 

The arm is roomy enough to accommodate another light weight shirt underneath  That was not my intention but at least the arms sort of “fit” with the rest of the sweater ease. 

Then I decided I would do this top in a yarn I totally loved because I wanted to love the yarn and the pattern!!! Classic Elite Waterlilly is an aran weight and really beautiful.  It is a kettle dyed yarn that is out of production, but was introduced when kettle dying was a “new thing.” The yarn worked up beautifully - on gauge and exactly what I wanted - until I tried it on for sizing!  Cripes!  It was just too darn HOT! 

It is a good color for me. This aran weight yarn is spun and the sweater turned out quite heavy.

Here is a better picture of the 4x1 rib with the rolled edge.

And then - the sleeves.  I didn’t plan on bat-wing sleeves.  Actually my first thought was - wow.  I could put my thigh in that sleeve. 😂.  Oh well. I just won’t stand like that!

And finally the neck!  This rose color sweater is my 3rd attempt at the neck.  And it was perfect for me.  Again, it is a 4x1 rib.  The original pattern called for starting immediately with a stockinette stitch - the pattern picture showed it laying flat. didn’t roll   But everyone knows that stockinette stitch rolls. I didn’t want a roll neck.  It was the one complaint that was noted on Ravelry.  The designer didn’t explain how she got a stockinette neck to lay flat.

Regardless, my method not only stands up correctly but it hides a double chin!!! Also I can survive the North Pole with just this sweater.  

Win-win!!!

Despite the fact these yarns are soooo very different from each other, they both turned out to be tops that are best worn over other clothing and not as tops worn close to the skin - as the pattern seemed to suggest.    

But I am totally bored with all the stockinette - 2 1/2 sweaters worth of it!  I wanted to do something a bit more challenging.

Along comes a KAL for a sweater that was in my Favorites on Ravelry. The Woven Arches Sweater by Catherine Blanc of the Kat and Stitches Vlog on YouTube.  The KAL started November 1 and ends January 1.    She offered a 15% discount on the pattern - since I was going to buy it anyway, I signed up.  Typical of me - I am starting the KAL late.

I love this sweater but .... The first problem I noticed was that the model is stick thin - and I am not.  (Why do I do this to myself?) Then I noticed that this sweater is similar to the two I just finished.  Hmmm.  (I seem to have a theme.) Finally the sleeves are a little loose at the wrist (another Ravelry trend.)  I am not sure I will be able to adjust that since there is a repeat of the pattern there. I know I won’t make them quite that long for sure.  

No matter - onward!!!

I was pretty sure I had the yarn in my stash for this - Purl Soho Cashmere Merino Bloom Heather.  This yarn is 75% Extra Fine Merino Wool and 25% Cashmere and oh so soft.  I purchased the Bloom yarn about 4 years ago on sale and it was pricy then - over $300 for a sweater’s worth. Then I changed my mind on the sweater I selected for this yarn - but I knew I would use it for something special. And I better darn well use it as the price on this yarn has skyrocketed - the same number of skeins purchased today is in the $480 range off sale.  An outrageous price that I would never pay now, but it is a wonderful wonderful yarn - just too far out of my price range.  The color I have is called Tidepool.  It is a neutral gray that has undertones of green in good light. When I sat down to do the gauge swatch for the Aches Sweater I realized that the sweater gauge was a worsted weight + a lace weight Mohair (2 yarns held together.) *sigh*.  That seems to be another trend now on Ravelry.  Bloom Heather was a light worsted.  So I did some mohair research looking for a high quality product that was next to the skin friendly.  I wasn’t going to go “cheap” on a mohair (which can be itchy) when I was blending it with the premium Bloom Heather yarn.  I settled on Isager Silk Mohair in a silver green color - to help raise the green color elements in the Bloom Heather - $185 worth of silk mohair. 

Lordy!!!  This better work out.

All shades of green are my favorite.

I am preparing to cast on - a week late - but still inspired by the pattern and the yarn.  I am really really glad to find a pattern for the Bloom Yarn.

And just to add to the deadline stress, I have already committed to next year’s Stolen Stitches Mystery Shawl Knit Along.  I have done that KAL for 2 years and really enjoyed it.  Stolen Stitches is out of Ireland and the catalogue of this woman’s work is extensive.  I think I have mentioned her site before. The website has yarn, patterns, a section for questions and discussion of various patterns and also many, many video options for her patterns - so you never feel like you can’t get help!  That KAL runs from February to April.

And a distant goal, I really really wanted to knit a short sleeve top to wear at Maryland Sheep and Wool next May. I have many beautiful patterns and yarns just waiting for me.

To be completely honest - this knitting schedule is crazy! December and Christmas are right around the corner.  I am not a fast knitter and free time becomes wishful thinking during the holidays!  The only thing that might make this doable for me is that both KALs emphasize that it is ok to knit at your own speed (slow) and not worry about deadlines (right!).  I will have to tattoo those words on my forehead!!. That advice might work for mellow folks - I am more a type A individual.  Put a deadline in front of me - I am like a bull with a matador waving a red flag.

In fact, my Astrological Sign is the Ram - Aries!!  Not that I put much value on Astrological Signs, but if you read up on the Aries personality, it describes me completely. Words like bold, stubborn and highly competitive are found in the descriptions.  The picture is a Ram with horns!  

Nope, not a peaceful sign at all. 

😁