I was only swatching
My flat is actually, mostly, spring cleaned, and I’ve started studying for finals. 
I found some nice yarns while cleaning, and had a few random balls of yarn that I bought specifically just to try. So on Monday I settled down to study, while knitting swatches. This was the first, Rowan Bamboo Soft. Which feels so very, very different to the only other bamboo I’ve tried - SWTC Bamboo. That’s sort of crunchy, while this feels like a very luxurious sweatshirt. I adore it, but I was happy just swatching and focusing on something other than germinating design ideas.
Then I hit this stumbling block, and found myself yesterday in the wool shop anxiously waiting to see if they could find any of the yarn I’d fallen in love with hidden in the store cupboard. I don’t think I’m swatching anymore and I’m far too poor to justify this purchase at all. At least no other Noro seems at all tempting to me. This is Cash Iroha, and it in this colour is their only yarn I’ve seen and liked.
I did check that I’d be able to exchange any unused, precious skeins. Which meant that I actually bought more than I think I’ll need. I’m very good at ekeing out as much as possible from as little yarn as possible and have finished more than one project with inches to spare. However, I’m trying to think more like a designer and less like a cheap knitter (with the swatching random yarns project, for example).
There is an element of this thinking involved in this project. I am, for once, writing the pattern as I go. That should please you, because it should mean that getting said pattern up here won’t take quite as ridiculously long as all those that I need to recreate from scattered sketches and notes. The design is partly based around the idea of creating something involving several techniques in a way that makes it a good way to learn these techniques. It’s mostly quite simple, and each technique is used at least at first in isolation.
Mostly though, I just want to wear this. It’s going to be so cute. Still studying too, so my original project hasn’t gone completely astray. That’s one of the book weights I made. Just two scraps of fabric stitched together and filled with rice. It’s quite effective, although the binding of this book seems to lay open quite happily. Not all books are so willing.
Go pester Juno, who despite what she says has been a very helpful test knitter, to take some photos of Matilda Jane with her inside. This means that the larger sizes of the pattern will be coming soon (’soon’ being a rather loose concept to me, as I’m sure you’ve already noticed).
I’m going to keep slowly turning this growing spiral of bumpy little knit stitches.
Posted: April 4th, 2007 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 8
Comments
Comment from Lyndsey-Jane
Time: April 4, 2007, 11:17 pm
If only I could knit and study at the same time. You have just made feel really guilty as even though the 2nd semester hasn’t finished yet (and we are on 3 weeks break) I know I should be revising for end of 2nd year exams but knitting so much more fun. Maybe tomorrow!
Comment from mary
Time: April 4, 2007, 11:58 pm
That’s very pretty. What is it going to be? Also, I love your idea for a book weight, I run into the problem of books closing while I’m trying to multitask all the time…I might have to try that. Congrats on the cleaning!
Comment from Miss Ifi
Time: April 5, 2007, 12:33 am
*is very curious about what those bumpy little knit stitches will become*
A book weight!!! that is a GREAT idea.. I really do wish I could knit and study though, maybe sometime soon. In the meantime I am trying to convince my professors that I should be exemp of exams if I knit something for them.
Comment from lupinbunny
Time: April 5, 2007, 12:43 am
bwahaha. i’m thirding the love of the bookweight.
i am so running a couple up tomorrow.
along with a ‘keep the door in one place’ weight. not quite a doorstop, not a doorjam(b?). i need something that holds the bedroom door almost closed, but not touching the doorframe because then it rattles when the window is open (which is every single night).
Comment from liz
Time: April 5, 2007, 1:38 am
The colour of that jumper looks fab. I’m intrigued to see the rest of it. But I have a slightly more banal question. Are those stitch holders just your common-or-garden safety pin or are they some kind of knitting pin? I always find the ‘official’ ones in John Lewis far too bulky.
Comment from pav
Time: April 5, 2007, 4:43 pm
I agree, Noro yarn, for the most part is not to everyone’s taste as the variegated-ness of 80% of their output is really off-putting if you want to create wearable items. For instance I bought 2 balls of kureyon in gorgeous blues and greens but still can’t think of anything I’d want to wear/look at with multicolours apart from maybe my 99th pair of mittens. Then I went to Japan and managed to get the last 9 skeins of this ‘cash laine’ lambswool/cashmere blend (it’s discontinued) in a darkest navy colour in this amazing yarn shop in Kyoto. They had loads of all the other colours but this navy is lovely. I am just waiting to finish a few projects before I can justify getting it onto needles! I am going to take your tips for getting the most garment out of yarn and do a top-down raglan, I think (loved what you did with your stripey raglan)
Comment from Lesa
Time: April 5, 2007, 10:16 pm
mmmm, to not think like a cheap knitter!
I have been wondering, do any of your patterns go to plus size? I mean like a 52 inch chest? I love them, but don’t want to buy them if I can’t wear them.
Comment from Bobbi
Time: April 8, 2007, 3:06 pm
Ahhhh, multi-tasking!
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