While marital mongamy has always been a slam dunk for me, project monogamy has been less so. I'm not sure what the record is for the most projects in progress, but it seems as if 8 or 9 was probably the norm at one time. Lately, I've been a little more faithful to my projects and it certainly pays off in FO's! Our knitting group started a project last January in which we all picked a pattern for a gansey. I don't think any of us were doing the same one. I thought for sure I would be the last one done because I picked Cape Cod by Alice Starmore. At her hellatious gauge, I had to use fingering weight yarn and size 0 needles. It just goes to show what a little project monogamy can accomplish because I am one of the first to finish her gansey. Behold Cape Cod in all her glory!
I love everything about this sweater! The yarn, Knit Picks Gloss is a luscious blend of silk and wool. I like that it's fairly lightweight so I don't get overheated. I like the intricacy of the knit and all the classy little touches that Starmore is famous for. And I love the fit. A little loose and comfortable, but not baggy. This will definitely get a lot of wear. And I have to add that this would have never been finished (or at least not so soon) without Knit Companion. Recently they released a new version featuring smart counters which helped me with the multiple chart repeats and shaping on the sleeves.
I also managed to finish a pair of fingerless gloves for my sister:
The pattern is October Leaves, yarn is Dream in Color Smooshy in Chinatown Apple. Wonderful pattern with lovely detail in the thumb area. And I have enough left from the skein to make another pair. Brown's not really my color, but I think I'll make them anyway and put them aside for a gift giving occasion.
That leaves me with only two wip's (and one in hibernation that may be frogged). Neither Evenstar or Dark and Stormy are real portable projects, so I cast on for a pair of Cookie A socks - Hedera. I keep saying I'm going to knit my way through her book, Knit Sock Love and they are the first in the book, so it's a start. No promises as to how far I'll get.
I did have a little moment of insanity and jumped on board a KAL. The project is Dragon of Happiness. Go take a look and come back laughing. Insane, no? Of course, I did have to break my yarn fast (hey, I lasted all of 3 weeks!) to order the yarn. And I think I just may have, in a moment of weakness, ordered some Signature needles to go along with it. This project is not going to go fast and will need frequent breaks, but I might as well be deliriously happy while knitting it! Of course, I know that I'll want to go throw all my Knit Picks needles in the trash. Or win the lottery.
My training for the half marathon is coming along, but not without a few bumps in the road. Today our club did a spin class. Let me go on record as saying that I hated it with a passion that is just a little scary. The endurance part was hard, but I could probably get over that. But without getting too technical, just let me say that the bike seat was painful! Even with an extra cushion they provided I was miserable the whole time. Next time they schedule a spin class I'll just go for a little run.
Gorgeous sweater! I have the book..... my brain is doing little summer-salts again!
Posted by: kathyiniowa | January 17, 2013 at 02:38 PM
I gave in over Christmas and Knit Companion is my new friend. A perfect match with my Ipad Mini.
Posted by: Lifesastitch | January 17, 2013 at 04:31 PM
Love those fingerless gloves. *wink wink*
Posted by: Abby | January 19, 2013 at 06:02 PM
Beautiful sweater! I'll need to spend more time with the description of that app. It seems as if it would substitute nicely for all my photocopies, Post-it notes, and taped charts.
I've tried Hedera a couple of times and could not get gauge for the life of me. The AS sweaters worked perfectly from the first swatch--go figure.
Posted by: marjorie | January 29, 2013 at 02:06 PM
That sweater is totally gorgeous! The fit is great and the color is perfect. I feel that way for about 10% of the sweaters I knit. Maybe your percent is higher, but you deserve to be happy with it and proud you completed it with all the knitting hours I know it must have required.
Yes, life requires constant choices on how we're going to spend our time. We're both fortunate to have so many good choices and never be bored.
Posted by: Marguerite | January 31, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Your sweater is beautiful. And I am full of admiration that you knit it at that gauge!
That dragon looks like a ton of fun to knit. Ton of patience, too, but still a ton of fun...
Posted by: gayle | February 02, 2013 at 08:30 AM