Pondering

So, you know, I finished the knitting on my Tatami last night . . . at long last, the knitting on my Tatami is done! (Let's try that one more time, to make sure the fit is right.) My Tatami knitting is finished!

And, did I mention that Tatami is off my needles?

But, here's the funny thing. Between it and the Celtic Icon, I've been slogging away at the same, two sweaters since last autumn. (October for the C.I., and December for the T.) I did sideline them both, briefly, to focus on the Ribby I made for my niece's graduation present, but otherwise, I've been devoted.

Which also means that, other than looking at new patterns as they've come out in magazines (online or otherwise), or admiring WIPs on other blogs . . . I haven't allowed myself to give any thought to other sweater patterns since, well, December. I'm pretty good about resisting the "Shiny Penny" syndrome of being easily distracted from my projects, but usually, when I'm about 3/4 through a project, I'll start thinking about what's going to come after . . . if only to make sure that I have the yarn and such ready to go when needed.

But, of course, I've never had two projects tie me up for such a long time. Even my Union Square Market Pullover--which at the time I thought was endless--only took five months. These have tied me up for ten months. Ten months when I didn't dare think about what other sweaters I'd like to do, because, well, that would just be cruel, too tempting.

It honestly didn't occur to me until last night, after I closed my knitting bag for the night, that . . . I was now free. Free to start something new. Free to browse patterns to my heart's content. Free.

I tell you, it made me practically giddy.

So, naturally, today, I started browsing through pattern books, magazines . . . and yes, Ravelry, because those Pattern lists are marvelous (when they finally get this up and running for everyone without needing an invitation to "play," it's going to be beyond marvelous). . .

But do you know what pattern I keep coming back to? Not a sweater at all, but this cabled, hooded shawl from Nicky Epstein's "Knitting Beyond the Edge."

I know, I know. I told myself that I'd make something simple next--and with minimal (if any) cables, and yet, there's something about this shawl that I think is just fabulous. Granted, it's got bobbles, which I really don't like making at all . . . but still it's stunning. Worn this way, it's almost like a capelet . . . but not quite. It's a dense fabric, so it must be really warm--more so than a lace shawl, but still lighter than a jacket, which makes it good for outerwear for cool, autumn days as well as for something to be worn over a coat on bitter, wintry days.

And, well, I'm a sucker for almost anything with a really good hood.

The truly ironic part? Even with my stash of 94 different kinds of yarn (yep, Ravelry's helpful), I don't have enough of the right weight in any kind of yarn. The pattern calls for 15 skeins of RYC Cashsoft DK, and I don't have a whole lot of DK yarn in my stash. I've got 10 skeins of Rowan Wool And Cotton (from back when they still used the "and"--it's been in my stash a LOOONG time) in Chocolate brown--far too little yardage, and too dark a color. I've got 10 skeins of Silky Wool in green . . . but again, not enough yardage. I've got 13 skeins of Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool in Wine--a beautiful color--but still . . . no comparison for yardage. And even with my screwy gauge issues, I don't want to take a chance on running out and not having enough for the hood.

Of course, the recommended yarn is kind of expensive in those kinds of quantities. As much as I like this stole, I'm a little reluctant to spend $120 for the privilege, you know? But then I saw Elann's Peruvian Highland Silk. 80% wool and 20% silk for only $4 a skein. Much more like it. The only drawback is that they only had three skeins of the color I truly wanted (Ruby). I opted for the Tapestry Blue, but really . . . I really wanted that deep red!

The other knitting question I've been pondering? I rolled my "Pacific" Blue-Faced Leicester into a ball, fully intending to start it as a pair of socks just as soon as the Claudia Hand-Paint ones were done . . . but the more I look at that skein, the less I want to turn it into socks.

Do you know what I keep thinking of, instead? Lace. Don't ask me why--I had always intended that for socks--but the colors play together so beautifully, and it's such a gentle color combination . . . I think it would actually look gorgeous knit into some kind of lace shawl. I've got somewhere between 350 (if I counted wraps on the niddy noddy correctly) and 400 (if you believe my McMorran Balance) yards of the stuff, and that's surely enough to make SOMETHING, huh?? I mean, something in the vicinity of a shawl? I'm so bad at comparing yardage needed to finished results, but . . . it certainly seems possible . . . right?  Any suggestions?

But now, I've got to go and actually do some work on my Tatami . . . I've got lots of stitches to drop--the handspun doesn't "run" as well as the smoother yarn called for in the pattern, so every single stitch needs to be encouraged to drop. And there are ends to weave in, too. Then I'll need to block it before I can sew up the seams . . . I didn't say it was DONE, you know. Just that it was off the needles!

Comments

[Kim]

I'm first! You are a stronger woman than I could ever be. Shiny penny syndrome gets me every time. The Pacific yarn would make a fantastic lace project! Great idea.

[jess]

wow! and i can't wait to see tatami :)

that shawl-capelet-hooded-not-sure-what-to-call-it is really striking!

how short/long are the color changes in the BFL? If they're short, Icarus. I know it's not the most interesting knit, but I think it works great with slightly variegated yarns. :)

[Carrie K]

Okay, that's cheating. Parsing, definitely. But off the needles for sure! Yay! Congratulations.

That is so very cool about Susan Dexter! With any luck she'll be in touch with you again. I'll have to ferret out her books.

That would be lovely lace! I'm not sure on the yardage though. That Nicky Epstein hood is really pretty. One of these days I'm going to knit her Enchanted Castle cape.

[sprite]

Could you leave off the bobbles? At least the gigantic pom-pom like ones at the bottom edge?

[michelle]

You are one strong woman! I think at times I actually like getting everything ready for the next project more than actual knitting process. Let's just say I have many projects at the ready :)

I can't wait to see Tatami - congrats on being almost done. The pacific blue looks like it would make a wonderful shawl.

[Carol]

Can't wait to see the Tatami! I've been waffling over this pattern for a while....

[Chris]

You can always skip the bobbles! :)

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

I like your thoughts on the next project! It looks like it woul dbe fun to knit and fun to wear!

[Gracie]

I can't wait to see it all done!!

Love the Nicky Epstien! Do you did get the Elann?

[Risa]

I'm a sucker for every shiny penny, but you knew that!

As for the yarn, there are a couple of smaller shawls that you can use that yarn for. Flower Basket and Swallowtail both require less than what you have if I remember correctly. Leaf Lace also would fit and maybe even Diamond Fantasy from Sivia Harding. Plenty of options for the smaller shawls!

[lisa]

Hey if you keep coming back to it you should definitely make it!

[deb]

Congratulations! I love the feeling of "off the needles". The shawl would look lovely in a ruby, but the blues will be stunningly unique.

[deb]

Congratulations! I love the feeling of "off the needles". The shawl would look lovely in a ruby, but the blues will be stunningly unique.

[JessaLu]

Congrats on finishing Tatami (at least, that's the rumor I heard...that you finished, that is) ;o) Can't wait to see it!

[JessaLu]

My God what a horrible sentence - that's what I get for commenting while developing a headache...sorry about that ;o)