December Knitting Blue(s)

Something is missing.  Beth noticed it almost before I did. Could it really be that only one project was on the needles here?  She said that surely I must have a sock and/or sweater in the works I wasn't divulging.  At the time it was true, however...one lone project was it.

But as of today, besides the beautiful piece of lace, there is a fun sock on the needles. (Yes, Cara it is wonderful, BUT it is NOT the only sock in the world.) Ahem....pardon me, please. Anyway...

Both socks and lace are process knitting for me.  Lace creation is captivating with its open space and solid ground blending together to form a pattern.  Lace magically grows into something wonderful stitch by stitch. It doesn’t really matter how long a lace project takes to knit, as the process is truly all that matters.   It may take me most of the winter to knit Seaweed as she is rather large, but every stitch will be enjoyable.

Socks are comfort knitting - portable, easy and rewarding. Again, it doesn't really matter when they are finished, just that they are 'in process'. That may also be the advantage of having a drawer full of hand knit socks...no pressure to finish. 

Back to the subject at hand....what IS missing, with two projects, two items in process, two perfect knits? Usually there are three projects (at least) on the needles around here.  I like a variety of yarn and needle sizes.  Different projects mean knitting is always being accomplished, something always fills the need, enhances or changes a mood, and keeps the hands busy and the mind full of good thoughts.

As I pulled a hand knit sweater over my head this week, the realization hit me that there isn’t a sweater in process right now…there isn't a 'product' in process.  It's a hectic time of year and starting something that involves concentration, or too much time, may become frustrating.  Something beautiful, colorful and simple feels right, however. Lucky for me, I won a gift certificate to the LYS at the last Knit Guild meeting, which meant a trip to find the perfect project was a must. (Yes, I have stash, but doesn't a GC give me license to shop?)  So, did I find the right thing?

Sally Melville’s new color book has a pattern for a simple funnel neck sweater in one color.  Sally wore this sweater when she visited in 2004, which she had actually shortened from the 'Not Your Mother’s Dress' in the book The Purl Stitch.  I loved it and knit myself one by changing the decreases and knitting it shorter.  But now, with the new book, there is no need to rewrite the pattern.  Elsebeth Lavold silk/wool blend, in a color to brighten any winter day, will keep me company as I knit a comfortable, simple, elegant sweater…the perfect December knitting project.  Ah, the Stockinette Avenger strikes again.

Relax, knit and enjoy your weekend!

Comments

[Kim]

Margene, that will pe a perfect sweater for you! Such a pretty shade of blue!

[ann]

that blue will look fantastic on you! I am on the hunt for a sweater pattern for my four-play, a silk blend ---- I want to get a project for me underway!

[Colleen]

Sounds like a great knitting plan. Enjoy.

[Wendy]

That's a lovely sweater.

BTW, I'm suffering severe project angst right now! I need a plan! I need a clue!

[Cara]

In my defence, it's not the same sock if the colors keep changing! I'm sure something else will come along and make me a big fat liar, but in the meantime I'm happy with it - glad you are too!

Love the blue. I've been thinking about her yarns - but I've never found a pattern that I wanted to make where that yarn would work. Can't wait to see it all knit up.

Have a GREAT weekend!

[Beth]

I really love all her books - how many things have you knit from them? Several - this will be the third that I can think of off the top of my head. Maybe that's where I should look when I need more pattern inspiration.

[Lolly]

That funnel neck is really lovely. I have some Silky Wool in the ol' stash - it may even be the same colorway as you have.

Have a happy weekend, Margene ;)

[Jan]

I've used the Silky Wool for several projects and love the look of it knitted up. The sweater will be lovely in that blue SW. Nice choice!

[Laurie]

I love the blueness of the blue. I'm without focus when I don't have a sweater going. It's in my genes from having watched my mother and aunt knit sweaters and only sweaters.

[Kathleen]

Love that color...I frequently fondle the Silky Wool at Granny's...It's going to be lovely. Remember when you used to not put your mug on your photos? :)

[Norma]

That WILL be gorgeous, and elegant. I have Silky Wool in the stash.....gold, of course. I wish I had bought the plum or something. Ok, I gotta go!

[Cassie]

Only one project on the needles? I don't understand....

[Carole]

That blue is going to be stunning on you!! Excellent choice, grrlfriend. Have a wonderful weekend.

[Tracy]

That sweater was designed for you. You'll have that done in no time and then you can make the skirt ;)

[Anne]

That color is going to look great on you! Nice choice. :)

[Renada]

AHHH!! Margene, how do you get into my mind like that?? I was thinking of knitting that whole outfit...

Silky Wool is pretty cool. I want to make a Celtic sweater from Elsebeth Lavold's first book in that same colorway.

Your sweater will be fabulous.

[Marcia]

I've picked up "Color"...and put it back...several times, but finally gave in at the bookstore the other day. Now, I looked at that outfit and couldn't get past the skirt, something that you'll never see on MY body! Thanks for opening my eyes (not blue) to other possibilities! Enjoy Sunday breakfast!

[Kathy in San Jose]

Haven't seen the book yet but I have all her other ones. (Hmmm, Christmas is coming...) Silky Wool is fabulous stuff, and the blue is beautiful. I made a poncho out of the exact same color this summer, then frogged it because the ruffle at the edge was not flattering to me at all. It was the process of crocheting it that was satisfying. Now it's being knit as a stole (making a wider "Midwest Moonlight" from Scarf Style, and it's definitely, again, process for me (the "project in the purse, work on whenever" kind).

Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

[Melissa]

I finished reading this and found myself knitting all the stitches of my 1x1 ribbing.

Stockinette Avenger!

[Sneaksleep]

Yay blue! Love the color, jealous of the GC and your excuse to buy more yarn.

[Teresa C]

Yummmmmmy color!

[Snow]

I haven't bought any of Sally Melville's books yet, which is surprising, considering how easily and often I buy knitting books. Clearly, I need to reconsider.

That's a lovely shade of blue, Margene. It will look great on you.

[julia fc]

I swear, could Terry like any other colour? It is nice, though. Iwanted to make the husband's sweater in that shade, but it's going with jeans, always, and I have a no denim with denim rule in this house. Beautiful, still.

[Sharlene]

Ooh, the new SM sweater looks lovely. I didn't notice it on my first trip through the book. I'm going to have to take a second look. I'm going through sweater withdrawal as well. I actually picked up a UFO from over a year ago because I don't have one in process!

[Birdsong]

Very lovely choice! And, you will have another sweater to wear through these wintry days ahead. The temps are going to drop to their lowest so far tonight - definitely sweater-wearing weather. We are on the same wavelength once again, wanting to making a nice, new sweater:)

[debbie]

i agree with your thoughts about 'process knitting' and 'comfort knitting.' i think i knit primarily for the comfort and process and the outcome is an extra reward in itself! can't wait to see how your sweater comes along.

[Isela]

That is a lovely sweater and the color is beautiful. I am suffering from the knitting blues too....too much going on and no time to relax right now :(.

[Kitty]

Well, if you ever come to NYC you've got a free place to stay....and now I want to knit 'Not Your Mother's Dress Sweater'...love it!

[karen]

love the sweater, margene. in el's silky wool, it's going to look fabulous! and it'll feel good too. happy knitting!