It began with some new yarn I ended up not liking so much. It has ended with a new project using yarn I love. This is how I have ended up with three major knitting projects (tops / sweaters) on my needles.
Many people have more than one knitting project at a time going. I like to have something simple along with something more challenging. Knitters are creative people and working on something that is too simple can, at times, be boring. But a simple project is great for late night (low light) knitting, or travel knitting.
Uradale wool yarn comes in little balls. It has a thick and thin quality which I don’t really enjoy. I had enough yarn to knit a sweater, but decided to use the yarn along with some other wool I like more, and knit a different pattern. This led to the project Simple Stripes. It is a pattern by SuviKnits. I’m making some adjustments to this easy pattern, while using up a lot of the Uradale yarn.
Presently, I’m nearing the end of knitting on the first sleeve. My changes include some colorwork designs and a corrugated rib at the body hem.
Pascuali Yarn, Cotton Suave
For some reason, I decided to buy some cotton yarn and try knitting a summer top. I say this because I really should know better. I’ve tried and failed to find tops and yarn that work for my climate. Ever since I discovered the Pascuali yarn company, I’ve made a list of their yarns I’d like to use. The Suave cotton was on that list.
A pattern called the Dandelion Whiff Top (link goes to the Ravelry pattern page) came up as a suggested pattern for the Suave cotton. It’s a cute tank. But once I began knitting with the yarn (a swatch), I decided it was too difficult to use for a bottom up, textured top – written by an unfamiliar designer (to me). Bottom up knitting turns me off anyway, and this top also has a textured pattern (I’m still scared of all-over textured patterns thanks to Oxbow). I would love to knit the Dandelion Whiff top in the future, but not using this yarn.
Knitting the Knus Light Top
A pattern for a short-sleeve, textured top, called Knus Light, by Elsebeth Judith, is what I chose for the cotton yarn.
The top is full of various sections of simple texture that seem easy enough for me to accomplish. This yarn is very unusual. You would never know it is cotton! The strand is fuzzy, but very strong. My swatch fabric is very soft and light.
However, I tried to unravel my swatch and couldn’t do it! The yarn tangled together and made little knots. For this reason, I want to knit something that seems pretty simple, without the chance for mistakes. Ripping back could be a nightmare. So I chose Knus Light which seems pretty straightforward.
The Magnolia Chunky Cardigan in Wool
I’ve had these cones of Harrisville Designs Highland wool for a while now. I probably bought them with a sweater in mind, and then got sidetracked. Cones of yarn are cheaper than skeins, so I bought three cones of Highland wool in color Suede, which is gray. Each cone has 450 yards, and I should have plenty to knit the Magnolia sweater.
As soon as I began knitting with this yarn, I felt like I was home! I just love knitting with good wool. The Magnolia pattern is tricky, but many previous knitters have left some helpful notes. I plan to write a whole page about it.
So, my fellow knitters, this is what I am up to. I’d love to hear about your projects, so don’t be shy. Leave us some comments!
Previously on New England’s Narrow Road…
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New England's Narrow Road 