My dad always told the story that when I was a very little girl, I ordered vanilla ice cream and then decided to switch to strawberry. He said I looked up at him in awe and said, “I changed my mind!” as if I hadn’t realized I could. This past weekend, I changed my mind again.
I stopped mid-tink-back.
I’ve decided that I’m not going to knit the Sprite’s Fen shawl. I cast on the second Shawl Society shawl on Thursday night, the day the pattern was released. I love the pattern. The shawl, as all of Helen Stewart’s designs, is beautiful. Soft and subtle, lovely and elegant. But something just isn’t clicking for me. I think it’s the shape, semicircular shawls are among the least wearable for me. I may come back to this project, but it’s going in the hibernation cave for now. I had planned to knit each of the 6 shawls in the month they were released, but I suppose we’ll be revising that policy.
Instead, I’ve started something else. I’ve been daydreaming about getting started on my Waterlily since I purchased yarn for it a few weeks ago. I want to have it to wear this summer to work and on vacation. Plus, for some reason I have sweaters on my mind. I want to get this one done and get started on more. I’ve never been overly interested in garment knitting, but something has recently fallen into place for me and I am ready. I think.
To that end, I swatched a couple of little swatches. Spoiler alert, I did not get gauge. By a long shot. It was vaguely correct before blocking, but after a bath is nowhere close. I do know that I’m on the looser side of knitters, so I probably should have gone down a needle size to begin with. Learning experience, right? Tonight, I swatch again!
They may be too big, but they’re awfully pretty. Yarn: O-Wool O-wash fingering in Watermill
Once I get my gauge figured out, I’m planning to cast on this week. First sweater jitters are making me a little hesitant, but I’m too excited to let that stop me. Plus, it’s a mile of stockinette in the round to start–pretty soft launch if you ask me. I’ve also been putting some stitches on my Magical Marled Mystery Shawl. I never thought I would like seed stitch, but it has a good rhythm. And the squish is undeniable!
Lest anyone worry that I’ve not been knitting any socks, behold:
My second pair of revival socks is off and running. I’ve fallen back in love with these. It’s great to start working on an old project and get that rush. That “oh, this is why I fell for this yarn” feeling is so fun.
In other news, I took the kids to the library yesterday afternoon. They got something like 1000 books, which they are already tearing through at breakneck speed.
Not pictured, 4 humongous reference books for a super secret design project that I’m getting started on. This one will be a long process so some of my making time will be off the books until I can share. I love surprises.
YoM day 150-151: Sock knitting
YoM day 152: Sock and shawl knitting
YoM day 153: Sock knitting
YoM day 154: Sock knitting and sweater swatching
YoM day 155: Sock knitting and secrets
Happy making!
Knit 1, Make 2 