It appears I have a case of knitting insanity as I contemplate my current knitting plans and deadlines. A sweater for big sister (my Winnie Cooper) for the birthday at the end of this month – not likely going to happen. A sweater for littlest sister for her birthday near the end of July – slightly more realistic. Knits, knits and more knits for babe due in August – these may have a chance seeing as they are teeny, fun and a break from the sweaters. And, since that hardly seems enough to keep me going through an already busy summer, I decided to join this KAL (anyone spot the inspiration for my knitting bag?) to knit a cardigan for myself.
Happily, while I’d love to see these deadlines met, they are very loose deadlines. At this point is still seems like a fun idea but if it stops being fun I’ll be shelving some of my knitting aspirations until a later date.
I’m most nervous about knitting for myself. I love cardigans and am always pulling on the cheap acrylic versions I have. Knitting one for myself is quite a thrilling proposition. I’ve bought the pattern and enough Cascade Eco+ for a sweater and then some. The pattern is going to need some tweaking as the wool is quite a bit heavier than the yarn the pattern suggests. Not sure I have the skills for that much tweaking but it will be a learning experience if nothing else…and I may be asking lots of advice in this space next week!
Just have to mention that I took this picture at 9:50pm. I love the long days we get at this time of year – they almost make up for our short winter days.
With all the knitting to be done (and a little touch of sewing fever) I haven’t done much reading this week. I’m still enjoying The Distant Hours – a few pages at a time. I also have a stack of library books that I’ve been perusing – The Tassajara Cookbook, Good to the Grain and Little Things to Sew. I don’t feel as though I’ve had nearly enough time with any of these titles but they’ll need to be returned before we leave on vacation later this week. Back on to the hold list I’ll go and maybe have a chance to offer my thoughts on their merits after more than a cursory glance.
I’m looking forward to wandering around the other yarn along posts – and in the meantime I’d better get knitting!
Hope you all find a chance to indulge in something you love today – be it knitting, reading or something entirely different. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m so happy you’re making something for yourself! I’ve had a cardigan that’s half done that’s been sitting there for over a year. I’m terrified to finish it, in case I don’t like it. I feel like if I made it, I’ll have to like it, and what if I don’t like it or it looks awful on me? I over think it.
I think a good wool cardigan can’t go wrong. I should have gone with wool…
Thanks for the inspiration!
sounds like youll be buisy! I love the yarn youve chosen for your cardigan, hope the pattern tweaking goes smoothly for you
I love the grey that you chose- what a nice basic! It will work so well for the pattern.
Have you found anything to sew out of the Oliver + S book? I’ve been thinking about picking that book up.
I haven’t done much reading myself just collecting more books and doing more knitting and crochetting. The sweater is cute.
Hooray for knitting yourself something! Rachel, with all that you do, you deserve a beautiful hand knit cardigan, not a cheap acrylic one! Knit away and enjoy.
Thanks for the link to the KAL! What a cute site! Though I cannot match your ambitiousness to joining in, I totally admire it!! I’ll cheer, oooo, and ahh from the sidelines. And good for you for making something for you. You deserve it :).
The cardigan is looking lovely. I am feeling quite ambitious about all the project I want to complete too. Just need more hours in the evening once the kiddos are in bed. Hope you have a relaxing holiday. Jacinta
I like how Winnie Cooper looks so far.
Good luck with the KAL. Tweaking the pattern for your yarn might not be as hard as you think.
I love the pattern you picked for your KAL. It’s such a great thing to knit something for yourself every once in a while. I really treasure the (one!!) sweater I knit for myself. In the meantime, love quick baby knits!! Enjoy!
I’m planning on that KAL too! I love Eco-Wool. I have a couple of sweaters from that and they’re so cozy and soft.
The Winnie Cooper is just darling!
I think it’s good to have ambitious projects lined up, but with the freedom to allow yourself the flexibility to postpone or scrap them at will. 🙂 How do you like the Tasajara Cookbook? I love the bread book, but haven’t checked the cookbook out yet.
I completely agree; when it stops being fun, time to lighten up. I love that you have all these different projects going. The Winnie Cooper is already awesome!
That sweater is so cute! I look forward to hearing about your tweaking adventures…I’m so not there yet!
Sounds like you’ve got your hands full knitting wise:)
I really like to keep a lot of different projects going at the same time too! Keeps life interesting 🙂
I love the stripes! Great knitting!
Making something for yourself is sometimes a little bit scary, but at the same time interesting.
good to the grain is in heavy rotation chez moi. love it. and i love that sweater you plan to knit, it’s been in my faves a while so hopefully it will jump on my needles soon.
You are a knitting crazy person! I just can’t knit lately, sewing, embroidery, woodwork and gardening…I’ll knit again in the fall. Have to made anything from Little things to Sew? I’m making Miss Molly the red riding hood, but longer and w/out the arm holes per her request. I think she’s going for more of a Harry Potter robe look:)
It is my dream to someday knit dozens of cardigans for myself. But I always get a little reluctant when it comes to buying so much yarn, and so I end up knitting something for a little one instead. I love the cardigan you chose! Hopefully someday soon I’ll get up the guts to start one.
Good luck with your cardigan. Just remember that you can always undo it and start again. Definitely the beauty of knitting over most other crafts.