the embarrassment of riches.

I can't make up my mind.  I know one thing, which is that stockinette is a no.  Except all the yarns I seem drawn to are ones that are meant to be really plain little sweaters.  And really, I just want something interesting enough to amuse me past the first infatuation.

See, I finished something.  And instead of finishing something else in progress, all I want is something new and soft and shiny.  Well, not actually shiny.  But cashmere-y and elastic and easy on the hands and a pure pleasure to work with and touch.  That kind of shiny.

This blue pullover is done but for two ends at the collar.  I tried it on when I finished and suddenly 'snug' seemed 'tight' - I have been trying on as I went along and it needed a block but was otherwise acceptable, but the collar kind of pulled everything up and suddenly I felt like a sausage.  So I soaked it and laid it flat and measured the bust.  20 inches from armpit to armpit.  Um,  one of these things is not like the other......

I swear to you, it has been fine all along.  Hell, it used to be 6-8 inches bigger and I ripped back because it was vast around the underarms.

So I pinned it out to a bust circumference more closely matching my own and it is drying.  We shall see.

And while it dried, I looked at patterns. All of them.  These are the contenders.

For a minute I wanted to cast on for St. Brigid, which is possibly, arguably, the most beautiful sweater design ever.  But that would require yarn I do not already have and also, I'd have to redesign it for set in sleeves.  And then it wouldn't be St. Brigid. 

So, no.  Instead I made some swatches.

Both cashmere merino, oddly enough.  Not shown is the RYC Cashsoft DK swatch that's been floating in my purse all weekend (what better place to check the resilience of something? Have you seen what happens to anything you put down there?).  It is holding up really rather well, if anyone is curious.

This one says we'd both be happier if I'd stop with all the yarn and pet her.  And also, put down the camera, we hates the flash.

In between swatches, I spun two bobbins of this Shetland from last spring.  And another bobbin of the iron rust rambouillet/llama blend. 

The more I use the Suzie the more I think she is one of the most undervalued, versatile, purely useful tools around. Spin anything, ply everything and sit neatly in 1 square foot of floor when not on call.  I want the skeinwinder attachment soon.  And the replacement flyer with the traditional orifice.  And maybe a selection of different bobbins.  And though I already have the accelerator head, I hear it is being discontinued.  Maybe I need a back up?

More swatching.  There was some action with the cone on the right, behind Fiona Ellis, but really, always remember to check the needle size before you swatch.  Just because you think the needle in your hand is a 4 mm, does not mean it actually is.

I also cleaned the living room. 

If I have to sit on you to make you stop, I will.

So far this is the winner, for its 4mm needle-ness and its fiddly not memorizable-ness.  20 more rows before the repeat is finished though, hard to tell. 

I love 4 mm needles.  More and more, it occurs to be I ought to only work with sport and dk yarn - 2 to 4 mm needles are much easier on my wrists than larger ones.  And even though there are more stitches, the knitting seems faster, or easier, or better.  Something.

I don't suppose anyone would care to persuade Jo Sharp to make her Silkroad Aran in DK (not the tweed, I know about the tweed)?  That would be a considerable inducement.

No cashmere in it though.  30 cotton.  70 percent wool.  And look....pink.  That's a change.

Comments

[Gina]

Oh your kitty is very demanding and persistent. She's also too cute to ignore.

[lanea]

Hey look--I escaped from that cave where I've spent the last eon.

St. Brigid, eh? I can't give fair appraisals of the sweaters named after really important mythological figures. It's part of the crazy, I guess. Because Brigid is all about fire, and that is a watery pattern. And Morrigan is, you know, a giant enchanted Raven or Crow who is also a war goddess and also a deified, er, lover and, while the sweater named after her is quite fetching, she would never wear it because Vikings used knotwork, not Celts.

See--they let me out of the cave, and I just spew crazy. Crazy crazy crazy. I may just be bitter because I can only sew right now.

[Anne]

What a pretty girl! Can't wait to see the pullover full-on; I see a little hint of detail on the front that piques my interest.

Judith MM is adamant about using wooden instead of plastic bobbins for the Majacraft--she says the plastic ones warp (and from my brief experience with a Little Gem, I suspect she was right). I only noticed it when spinning super fine, though. And a friend who has the skein winder attachment absolutely adores it.

[Deirdre]

I am quite besotted with your blue pullover, and am wondering what the pattern is?

And I love the cat, just love her - they certainly know what they want, and how to get it, don't they?

[Phil Boncer]

My wife is getting a knitting machine for doing the big stockinette sections of things, then will take the project in hand for the interesting parts.

The cats do like to be paid attention to now and then, don't they. My Eliza (particularly when I was single and reading all the time) would jump onto the book and literally bite me on the nose (not hard) to let me know it was time to come to the surface and pay some attention.

[Laurie]

I love when your cat makes impossible demands.

I have such plans for st st. I wonder if I will feel the same way into the first project. I agree with Claudia. If it was happiness before the collar, then the collar might be changed to recreate happiness. (Sounds like I Ching, but isn't.)

[leila]

The Majacraft accelerator head is being discontinued? I had no idea. I've been saving up to get one for my wheel, looks like I'd better get moving. I love the new lazy kate they're making.

[Dr. Steph]

I'm right with you on the St. Brigid. I have the book and suitable yarn. But, I never start it. I want a more wearable design too. But then it's not right.

hmmm.

[claudia]

It is possible that the sweater is fine, but the collar may have to be re-thunk.

[Kat with a K]

I've been wanting to start something new too... fine yarn, lots of texture. Alas, I'm determined to finish a thing or two first.

[elizabeth]

All I need is something new to knit. Nevermind that I need to seam a sweater and finish about eight other projects. No, I need something new! So keep swatching, I can't wait to see what you come up with.

[Chris]

The kitties, they have their ways to get their will done.

[nishanna]

i've been shopping for a new wheel and i'm thinking it's the suzie pro. every time i read a blog someone is raving about it. I might wait for Rhinebeck to see if i can try it out before dropping money on it.

and i feel the same way about needing something...more to knit. I saw the wheat ear cable sweater in the most recent IK and thought it would be great in a cardigan. and i've got some cashsoft aran weight that is destined to be a cardigan. How is the swatch holding up? Do you think it will pill?

and your pullover looks beautiful.