Going through the stash over the weekend got me started on Fall and Winter projects. When I wrote up my list of projects that I’m interested in I realized that the yarn just doesn’t mesh with the projects.
Hence that stash sale.
Since I love to make lists and jot things down, but am terrible at keeping track of them, I’m putting them up here so I can refer back to them (and laugh at myself when come December I haven’t knit a single one of them!).
Airy Cardi from IK Winter 2004
I can dress it up for work and play it down with jeans and a T for the weekend. It calls for GGH Kid Soft. Has anyone used Kid Soft? What’s a good alternative? Kid Silk Haze? La Gran?
Elfin from Rowan 34
I still love her! Lately I’ve been thinking it’d be great in a deep purple or green. I might need to play down the ruffle along the front though — I’m not sure how that would look on someone who’s busty. Any opinions here?
Lacy Pullover from Family Circle Fall 2005
Klaralund gone classy. It would be a quick knit and be something dressier than I’ve considered making in a while.
Ruffled Wrap from Family Circle Fall 2005
Yup, that makes three mohair sweaters on the list. But I still think it’d be a lovely top to knit and wear.
Ava from Rowan 34
You either love her or you hate her. I think the lace up front is fun. Intarsia — not so fun. I would probably embroider the design on rather than all that fiddly multi-color crap. Plus the curves would be curvier, and that makes me happy.
Martha from Rowan 37
I love the design but it’s just not going to happen for this summer. So I’m considering making it a cool weather cardi. Maybe out of Baby Ull?
Raglan
The swatches are in Silky Wool. I’m thinking of a top with different colored sleeves. I haven’t ironed out any of the details yet. The colors above are claret (darker one for the body) and deep pink (sleeves). I also LOVE LOVE LOVE some of the Silky Tweed colors so I might change my mind.
Wrap Up
When I look at all the images and yarns types a couple of things strike me:
- None are less than 5spi, and one is even 7spi. I’ve learned over the past year that I just don’t like heavier gauge garments. Accessories, sure. But I just don’t want to wear an aran gauged sweater very often.
- Where’d the cables go? I’ve been cable-crazy the past few years, but I’m taking a simpler approach lately. I have a confession to make. I’m even considering packing away St Brigid until next winter. I love the sweater but it’s not enticing me to knit it right now.
- I’m trying to branch out color-wise. I always go for dark colors because I’m self-conscious of wearing light colors on my chest. I want to break out of that. I’m considering a light green for the Airy Cardi, and the purple I mentioned for Elfin is pretty different for me as well.
I am digging on that Family Circle mohair wrap..so pretty. I might have to go check out that magazine today. GGH Kid Soft is different than other mohairs.. its kinda like a mini knitted tube of mohair. But you could probably substitute it.
GGH Kid Soft is HEAVEN. I highly recommend it if you get the chance. I think that for the Rebecca cardi, some folks got the same gauge by doubling KidSilk Haze — Kid Soft has a thicker “core”, if that makes sense, but is still featherlight. All your projects have so much potential … it will be fun to see where they take you.
I hear you on the Silky Tweed–it’s lovely. The cotton in the mix might lighten the yarn. Silky Wool can be a little bit warm.
Lovely choices! It does seem like you’re stepping out of your typical MO, but that’s great! I kind of like the ruffled wrap sweater, but those never look good on me – it’s never clear whether the wrap wants to go squarely below the bust, or on top of it, or what. I’d be curious to see what you make of a sweater like that.
Those are all fabulous fall knits. I’ve always kept Airy Cardi in the back of my mind. It’s so feminine and light looking, but that mohair would keep you warm.
Ooh, thanks for sharing the Family Cirle preview. I’m all over that mohair cardie with the frilly edge. I’m off to the LYS on lunch for sure. You enabler!
Of course, I’m partial to Martha. I’m making her in Baby Ull and I think it will end up being an all-season sweater.
Ava has been on my list for a long time too but the cardi version instead of the lace up.
I made Elfin last year in deep purples and she is my hands down favorite sweater. I love, love, love this design. And the ruffle doesn’t at all draw attention to your bust – moreso to your face. The ruffles are heavier right around your neck/collarbones, then taper down from 3 rows of ruffle to 1 for the front bands. The line of the sweater draws your eye vertically rather than horizontally. Plus, it’s actually a loose fit. I literally knit the body TWICE when I realized how much ease there was in my regular size. I frogged the whole thing and knit it a size smaller and there is still a lot of ease. (I think the model in the picture must have some pins going on in the back to make it look snug.) Anyway – I’m for Elfin – but I must admit I do like Ava as well. Can’t wait to see what you choose!!
I just saw that FC mag yesterday. I’m intruiged by the lacey pullover and the ruffled wrap. I made the Airy Cardigan…it was pretty easy, it just took me forever to seam it up. I used some mohair that I got off ebay.
The one time I don’t renew my Family Circle subscription–and then they come out with those lovelies. However, I think my vote is for Elfin. That is really pretty!
Mohair is supposed to be big this fall or so sayeth the reps.
I like that lacey pullover. Very pretty and I am also considering Martha in Baby Ull.
I love the GGH soft kid I am working with right now. You can see it at http://www.beckyanddaniel.com/knitting/Projects/pink_lace_scarf.html I think it is a little thicker than other similar yarns which made it good for me (a beginner in lace), and would also make the sweater a tad more substantial (but certainly still very lightweight) and a quicker knit.