Committee Sweater

Kathleen-
I'm reviewing my options and preparing for the committee sweater. I need to make a decision by mid-February, and cast on so that I'm prepared when committee comes around.

The major requirements of a committee sweater are: interesting enough that I can knit on it practically nonstop for two weeks. Simple enough that I can knit it without constantly looking at my knitting or consulting the directions. An occasional glance down at the pattern or to fix a mistake is fine, but constant reading of the pattern is not.

Here's a little preview of some of the options I'm considering, in no particular order. I'm linking to pictures, or to Ravelry pages.

The Amanda Jacket from the book A Fine Fleece.
I love the shawl collar on this jacket, as well as the texture of the main body. Current yarn plan: Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL in a gorgeous blue-green.

Sunrise Circle Jacket by Kate Gilbert.
I've loved this jacket ever since it came out. Current yarn plan: Cascade 220 in a lovely burgundy.

Phyllo Yoked Pullover by Norah Gaughan. I probably would never have looked at this sweater without seeing Sarah's gorgeous version in person (Ravelry link). I like how hers is more tightly fitted, and tightens up the collar so it doesn't fall off your shoulders. I'd also add a bit of waist shaping. Yarn: I don't know. Possibly the very soft RED merino I bought at the Shepard's Harvest festival.

Radiance Cabled Jacket by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. I'm linking to the Ravelry page on this, because I think the publicity photos don't do this jacket justice. Yarn yet to be determined.

Tangled Yoke Cardigan by Eunny Jang. The only problem is that I think the cable chart on the yoke wouldn't be very committee friendly. Planned yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed in a lovely pale blue.

So what do you (both the Kathleen you and the blog readers you) think? Which sweater would be the most useful, and walk the line between helping my survive committee, but not require too much thought?

Slothful Sunday

Hi Flan,

I'm loving the toe color. The colors together are vaguely Mac-ish and the idea of orangey toes and heels makes me smile, though I do love a brown/blue combo...

I FINISHED THE ROTTING PUMPKIN SWEATER! It's washed and is drying in the sun. The fact that it's sunny and warm enough to dry a sweater outside in November is very freaky, but I do live at the bottom of the country, so there you go.

Henry is turning out very well. I'm sort of tempted to make one myself.

I discovered a new favorite book. The new one is "The Yarn Girl's Guide to Knits for all Seasons". There are more sweaters in here that I want to make than in any other book EVER. I completely love it. PLUS a lot of the ones I want to do are for ME. How fortuitous is that?? I just love it and think everyone should run out and get one- even if you get it from your library like I did.

I'm off to work on The Mommy's Sweater, the designated sweater for November. So far I'm working on the back and have managed to apply beads with the crochet hook method and executed a very nice provisional cast on hem if I do say so myself. I'm trying to decide if it's too big or alright and how much to shorten it.

Oh, one more thing. The Father hurt himself badly on his last fishing trip. He decided to singlehandedly launch his boat instead of using the trailer to back it into the water. Apparently, he does not think that he is over 60 and was acting accordingly. He strained his back and passed out on top of the boat. Thankfully, he did not pass out in the water or it could have been much much worse. Naturally, he and the doofuses he was with proceeded with their fishing trip and he navigated class 4 rapids with an injured back. He's now home and on strict instructions to lift nothing more than a coffee cup for the next 6 weeks and is on bedrest, pain killer and physical therapy. If you have any extra good karma/ thoughts I'm sure he'd appreciate them and I hope he's learned his lesson. Oy.

Finally Fall

Hey Flan,

It seems the weather has finally decided it is fall. I'm so excited. Fall here is defined as "lower than 80". The night lows are in the 50s, day highs in the mid to upper 60s (low 70s predicted for tomorrow). There was a lady at the library yesterday wearing lined winter boots. She made me laugh.

Let's see.... Knitting... I finished The Sister's first Xmas Sock! It took 3 weeks. I emailed The Sister and she said the gifts would need to be to the people delivering them by the first week of December- 6 weeks from now. At the rate of 3 weeks per sock that leaves me one sock short of a pair. I might have to start knitting them at more times than just lunch. I started the first sock of the other pair so as to not get bored (as well as to fully commit to two pair) and am loving the colors. So far so good.

I seamed my sweater! The last part is picking up sts all around the outside and putting on the ribbing. I tried it on post seaming and am having a confidence crisis. I'm not sure I like it very much. This is the gamble with knitting and this time I think the knitting gods may have won. I am trying to reserve total judgement until after it is actually complete and has been washed.

Sadly, the sweater for me was not the designated October sweater. The Dad's Sweater had that prize and I have until Wednesday to knit 1.75 sleeves in order to stay on schedule. It could happen, especially since sleeves get delightfully smaller as you go along, but unless I make some serious progress this weekend it will be unlikely. Fingers crossed.

Hope you're enjoying AZ.

Sweaters Sweaters Everywhere...

... And Not a Stitch to Knit.

Hey Flan,
I hope at least your weekend was nice. At least the part before finding out about neurosurgery, part 2.

It is sweater central down here. Granted, it would make much more sense if I were still in MN and knitting sweaters. Sidenote: in the Mobile Sunday Paper there was a picture of MN weather. The Hubby and I recognized the part of freeway in the photo and had a brief moment of nostalgia- then quickly remembered that it's in the 70s here and sunny.

Sweater Rundown:
1. The Hubby's.
My first real venture into Zimmermania. The Seamless Hybrid in Classic Elite Skye Tweed. Am totally loving the hem lining as demonstrated over at brooklyntweed. Also, why did no one tell me about the delights of washing the yarn? I washed the swatch and it became so much softer. It makes me love it so much more.

2. The Father's.
Have decided that the "pattern interpretation" is fine and do not have to rip out everything that I have. Now on the body and it's pure knitting until the cows come home. Am conveniently forgetting about having to do the sleeves.

3. The Sister's.
I have a bunch of Cascade Sierra. Unfortunately each color is not quite enough to do a whole sweater and don't go as well together as first imagined. The store from which I purchased the initial amount doesn't have any more of the green and the blue is too vibrant to do an entire sweater out of. Am currently debating.

4. MINE.
That's right. I'm taking the plunge and knitting an actual sweater for me. It makes me a little light headed, but deep breathing is working at the moment. I managed to acquire a bag of the unbelievable Karabella Aurora 8. That stuff is what (yarn) dreams are made of. I'm thinking The Ribbi Cardi. It has enough structure for me and I think it will turn out well. Of course, during Start-itis, the needles I need are tied up in The Father's and The Hubby's Sweaters, so progress will be made on theirs simply so that I can free up the needles.

Oh, I made a cute little needle case for circulars yesterday. Sort of like pencil holders that clip into binders, but better. There was sewing and I didn't scream once. Granted, I got to use a hammer at one point, so everything's good. Hopefully photos and details to follow.