My Beard

So I have been a bit overboard on the amount of knitting I am doing. I can't even pretend that I am doing this all while commuting. Sure we have had some rainy weekends but even considering that I have made serious progress on my sweater. There are just so many things I want to knit and so little time!

Nothing to feel blue about here...

After finishing my Clapotis I am now ready to tackle a new project. I have decided to work on the Hourglass Sweater from a book written from a New York City yarn shop called Purl Soho called Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. This sweater represents a couple of firsts which is why I finally decided on it: first sleeves, first raglan style, first knit in the round.
I went back and forth on whether or not I was going to use the pattern yarn (Noro Cash Iroha), whether or not I would buy the decided upon yarn online or in a store, and what size I would make. In my Google search for the yarn I came across a knitalong blog for the sweater that was very informative. There were quite a few comments regarding the sweater being larger than they needed so I was torn as to whether I would knit the smallest or the second smallest. I decided ultimately on the second smallest but I think I am going to have to work with Nancy (knitting instructor) on altering the sweater so it fits perfectly. For example I know I am not going to knit as many rows prior to the decrease rows because I like my sweaters to fall above the hip bone and from what I can tell this one won't.

Off I go and I can wait. I decided on a beautiful light blue. As my winter is spent almost exclusively in black pants I thought this would be a nice combination.

Clapoits - Check

Whew. I powered through and I have finished! Christy was on the phone as I finished up and I think she felt my excitement.

On the left is the close up. If you look closely you will see that there are variations in the yarn which make it look like the color is slightly changing.

On the right is the full scarf. You can see that there is a stripe in the middle. So much for dye lots! Luckily it's a scarf not a sweater so I am not stressing out.

Gotta Power Through It

I am so excited to welcome our new C - Carrie - to the newly renamed C, C and & C's Purl and Knit. I am looking forward to reading and seeing your knitting!

Carrie - I don't know you yet but after reading Christy's and my posts you have probably guessed I love to knit. I find it relaxing and I can totally get into the zone. But at the beginning of almost every project I get frustrated - I have to start over at least once and I wonder why in the world I even picked up a pair of needles. I'll admit it - I will question the sanity and even the intelligence of the author of the pattern. Then the clouds clear, I mentally apologize to the creator and I continue on my merry way.

All of this brings me to the Clapotis. Totally prime example - I had to do the first couple of rounds multiple times (I will not admit the count) because I couldn't figure out how to back out kfb. I blamed the needles so I had to buy new ones. I wondered why dear Kate would make me do k tbl when the normal way has worked all along and why was she making me decrease to only increase in the next step. Then suddenly I was well on my way and thanks to the markers I could knit without really looking at the pattern which is great for commuting and watching tv.

Well, flash forward a month and I am so incredibly ready to be done with this project that I am now utilizing sports psychology. I just have to power through it and get it done. Funny how these are the exact works I tell myself when I am on 19 of 20 sit ups. If I dare pick up another project I know this chic (but repetitive) scarf will go to the land of unfinished projects. So I did what any hard core knitter would do. I rented some movies and am prepared to hunker down and get this done. Hell - I may even whip out Pride and Prejudice!