I’m very good at not noticing something until it’s all over the internet. When it comes to knitting patterns, I’ll look through a new book or magazine without seeing anything I like. Then, a couple of weeks later, I’ll go through it again, and suddenly I’m obsessed with making a certain pattern. Today’s example: Novak by Claire Montogomerie.
I didn’t notice this pattern at all when I first looked through the issue, but I came across it on the Twist Blog and now I have to have it. I adore the collar and the swingy shape. In an effort to be thrifty, I raided my stash, and I think it’ll be perfect for this rusty red Dream in Color Classy I’ve been stashing for months. I’ve had a few other ideas for it, but this seems the best so far. I’ve already swatched and I got gauge perfectly. Novak might even be my NaKniSweMo sweater for this November. Let’s just ignore the fact that we’re rapidly approaching summer here in Melbourne.
{Sweater images Copyright Caroline Bergeron for Twist Collective}
I might not have been knitting many sweaters lately, but I’ve been thinking about them. Remember those three swatches I posted a couple of weeks ago? Well, being the fickle and indecisive sweater knitter I am, I decided not to knit any of them. I will knit them, eventually, but not right now.
Instead, I decided to focus on this other yarn I’ve had in my stash for a couple of months: a bag of Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran in Muffin that I bought after seeing Melissa’s gorgeous Bubble Pullover. I decided pretty early on that the sweater wasn’t right for me or Melbourne weather, however, and the yarn went straight into the stash. I’ve had a few different ideas since then, but it wasn’t until last weekend when I was going through my queue that I realized I had a pattern that was perfect for it and with no other yarn attached to it. Yes, I’m jumping on the bandwagon with the Drops Jacket.
I cast on immediately to stop myself from more indecisiveness and I’ve been obsessively knitting it since Sunday. That’s the back and fronts blocking. I cast off the second sleeve today, but the sleeves might take a while to dry in this weather, even if I’ve pinned them out in front of the heater. The last week it’s suddenly felt like winter, albeit Melbourne winter, and I can’t wait to wear this jacket! {More}
Lately, all I seem to do is this.
Yes, that’s my shawl and no, it isn’t finished yet. I’m on the homestretch now, but it sure is tedious. Try knit 2, yarn over, ssk all the way around for about 1800 stitches per round (yeah, that’s right, 1800 stitches!). And then knit 2, knit 2 together, yarn over on the alternate rows. I think every row is taking me an hour now, so who knows when I’ll be finished. {More}
My recent project monogamy has really got me itching for new projects. Not that I don’t enjoy the shawl, but there are so many other things out there I want to make and have the yarn for. Mostly, I’m fantasizing about this yarn.
It is The Knittery’s Silk Merino DK in Aqua and Cedar Bark. I’ve been eyeing it for months and when Daphne posted about the sale on Ravelry, I ordered it pretty much straight away. The yarn is gorgeous. It’s a 50/50 silk merino blend, so it’s obviously lovely and soft, but it’s still wooly and not as shiny as other silk blends. I think it’s going to knit up beautifully, even if I’m a bit worried about the pilling since it’s a single (but I’m not scared to take a razor to my sweaters) . It’s already swatched and ready to go for when I finish the shawl(I’m aiming for the end of March). {More}
I’ve been knitting almost exclusively on the never-ending shawl of doom (AKA frost flowers and leaves) for the past couple of weeks. I’ve actually made alot of progress, it’s only really obvious to me being a never-ending project and all. I do still like my instant gratification, however, and I did manage to squeeze these mitts in this week.
Garter Stitch Mitts by Ysolda knit from Dream in Color Classy in Strange Harvest and Lipstick Lava {More}
This is a great little pattern, ridiculously quick and easy. There’s not much else to say, they’re cute and fit well and hopefully the gift recipients will like them too. They are for James’s sisters, but I want to make some for myself in the future. I think I’ll have to take a break from the garter stitch for a while though!
And I had other things to say, but I’m exhausted and the words aren’t quite coming out the way they’re supposed to. I’ll leave it here and pick up again another day. I think I’m going to have an early night tonight.
