Spellbound
I've fallen under the spell of stockinette stitch. Yes, that stitch dreaded by knitters near and far, the stitch that is boring, that goes on and on, the stitch that fries the mind and strikes horror in the heart of an intrepid knitter. It may be a bit of ennui, or the need for simple things, or the constant (but ebbing) pain, but I truly find solace in knitting stockinette. Therefore I have started two new projects that are mostly 'the boring stitch' and have one more that I'll start soon (the yarn is coming).
First up is the Chickami by Bonne Marie. I bought a very cool white jacket from Chico's last weekend and the Chickami will be perfect underneath. The knittin is easy so it has been a great companion while visiting. Once the decreases are complete you can cruzzze until you need to increase and then you're sent for awhile longer. It's knit with purple Saucy by Reynolds .
While looking through the stash for something else suitable for summer wear, (spring fever has me by the throat) I came across some Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere in a pretty pink. The Eyelet Cardi (also by Bonne Marie) was on my list to do and it seemed the perfect thing for the yarn. The gauge swatch was perfect and so I started it this weekend. Two Bonne Marie projects started the same week she has me under the 'heart' on her blog! It's pretty thrilling and I feel we're 'in tune'. (Let's not forget the beautiful Ribby. You must check out the Gallery.)
The other sweater that would be fun for summer is Alison’s Nothin’ but a T-shirt from MagKnits. I have some blue Rowan Calmer in the stash and have been looking for a suitable pattern. This is such a nice simple T that would be perfect and fun to wear this summer. Yes, more stockinette. As Jenifleur noticed in the comments yesterday, I have lost weight (10 lbs, 3 have returned). Pain is a powerful appetite suppressant. Now I'm working on getting stronger but staying thin with a personal trainer. It will be a slow process but one I'm looking forward to.
The swatch of brown in the above photo is the Chestnut yarn from Black Water Abbey that will become a Chinatown Jacket. I'm awaiting yarn in the color Wine for the trim and Black for the contrast. It's going to be a great coat for next winter. Snow and Liz are hosting the KAL so check us out here.
Now don't you worry about me and all this knitting, all this stockinette...it IS the process, baby.
~~~~~~~ Update: We now have an inch or so on the front lawn and it's snowing hard. Mountains have more than 4 feet since Monday. It's all good!
I am with you on the stockinette. Sometimes you just want to knit and not be worried about yarn overs, cables.....
Posted by: tacha | March 30, 2005 at 04:48 AM
That was the topic of my post on Monday. I love stockinette (although I don't always love knitting it). I think that it appeals to my minimalist instincts.
Posted by: Colleen | March 30, 2005 at 05:22 AM
Great spring inspirations, Margene! I've always liked the eyelet cardi!
Posted by: Mary Beth | March 30, 2005 at 05:34 AM
I have been roundly criticized in the past for loving plain stockinette stitch and garter. Hey, it's soothing and you can put your mind on autopilot and still have a good looking sweater when you're finished. I'm with you!!! Good choices too.
Posted by: Joan | March 30, 2005 at 05:39 AM
There's something to be said for stockinette -- it's easy to do and it can make for a very portable project or one that's easy to work on while doing something else. I have an all day conference in another month and my plan is to find something stockinette to work on during the plenary sessions because I won't need to take notes but my boss will be there, so it won't be appropriate to knit anything that requires me to glance at the pattern (and thus appear not to be paying attention to the speaker). Good luck with your fitness goals. I think this is the time of year when it's starting to get easier to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine as the weather becomes more mild.
Posted by: Susan | March 30, 2005 at 05:44 AM
I like stockinette. I can nod off whilst doing it literally. Anything that calming has got to be good!
Posted by: Tracy | March 30, 2005 at 06:14 AM
Great projects will result from that "boring stitch"! Love the Chinatown Jacket -- hadn't seen that before. Keeping my fingers crossed that we're finished with snow in Wisconsin (I may be dreaming) -- tonight we'll have our first spring thunderstorm!
Posted by: Vicki | March 30, 2005 at 06:33 AM
I've been surprisingly happy knitting boring stockinette on my current project. Hopefully the happy thoughts I've bene thinking while knitting will translate into good karma for the finished object!
Posted by: Wendy | March 30, 2005 at 06:48 AM
I'm glad I left SnB when I did because the drive home was pretty icky. I'll bet we get pounded with Lake Effect snow today, too. Stockinette IS really refreshing after doing something that requires your whole concentration.
Posted by: Teri | March 30, 2005 at 06:51 AM
Spent last night in st land. It was nice to JUST KNIT after thinking about stuff all day. I was thinking it as I was knitting it too.
I really believe that my aversion to stockinette has nothing to do with the stitch and everything to do with the yarn I'm using at the time. Beautiful yarn, I could st st for hours.
Wonderful projects on tap!
Posted by: Cara | March 30, 2005 at 07:10 AM
Me too! I've got two stocking stitch projects going on at the same time.
Posted by: Siow Chin | March 30, 2005 at 08:34 AM
Stockinette is so /flattering/, though. It's fun to challenge yourself with complicated patterns, but I find that lately I'm drawn to interesting shapes done in simple stitches.
A stockinette twin set is in my future soon... it should make for some good, relaxing knitting!
Posted by: Sara | March 30, 2005 at 09:41 AM
those are some great patterns. and simple stitch patterns are so good for quieting the mind...
Posted by: mrspilkington | March 30, 2005 at 11:30 AM
Plain stockinette -- gotta have it.
Posted by: claudia | March 30, 2005 at 12:02 PM
I love "boring" stitches when I'm stressed out, the repetition and sameness is comforting. :)
Posted by: Heather | March 30, 2005 at 12:54 PM
Congrats on your weight loss. I can definitely see the difference. I think thats great. Weight loss should be slow as I 'm sure you know it is healthier that way.
I love that knittied tee also. Very cute.
BTW...I really don't mind SS for a once in awhile project. I don't dread it! :-)
Posted by: Eilene | March 30, 2005 at 02:04 PM
hi love your blog. I don't know how you put all of these cool pictures on could you please help me because I'm really new at this computer and blog thing
Posted by: christina | March 31, 2005 at 12:59 AM