It's a Mystery

The needles I used to knit Plan B (Addi Lace #8) had been taken from Kusha Kusha and, as I'd promised myself, as soon as the sweater was finished, the needles were returned to the scarf.  Knitting Kusha Kusha again is so much fun and lead me to ask myself a question.  Why was the process of knitting Plan B so painful and this scarf, knit with two strands of polar opposite yarns, so enjoyable?  Each stitch must be created with methodical mindfulness or the yarns, one wiry and hard to handle, the other thread like and nearly invisible, do not wrap well together around the needle. Even when it's necessary to tink back a few stitches to catch the errant strand, no frustration enters into the process.  It's a mystery as to why this is enticingly enjoyable and the KSH is laboriously boring.

Because of this experience I have promised myself there will only be complete enjoyment of the process while knitting 12 sweaters in 2009.  If a yarn or pattern acts up, creates ennui or angst, out it will go and another sweater started in its place.  The beautiful, mindful process must be at the fore with every project.

Over 100 knitters have signed up for the NaKniSweMoDo Ravelry Group and everyone is deciding which sweater they'll start at the turn of the New Year.  My list of desired sweaters grows daily, but no final decision, or which will be first, has been set in stone. There are so many new, and wonderful, patterns published daily that plans would surely change in any case.

An incident happened over the weekend that brought that fact home in a big way.  As I walked into Blazing Needles, this beautiful sweater greeted me at the door.  It's Wisteria, knit in Shibui Merino Worsted by Karen, a store employee and dyer of Sleeping Dragon Yarns.  The color isn't my thing, but my love for the design, in that yarn, was instant.  I asked Karen several questions and she finally said I should try it on.  Ahh, it was heavenly. 

Wisteria had been on my list since the minute it was published and it was made all the more enticing when I saw so many around Rhinebeck. I loved the design, but my biggest concern was knitting a high necked pullover knit with a worsted weight yarn and if it would be to heavy. The Suibui felt soft and drapy and the neckline wasn't clingy or too high.  The design work is stunning and Karen said it was a joy to knit. I know this sweater will make the 2009 list. 

Comments

[Robby]

I think you are spot on about dumping any 'sloggers' and keeping the joy in the sweater process. This is, after all, knitting, not 'work'. Now to see if my time and $$ budgets can tolerate you throwing up all your wonderful plans - you really know how to put temptation in front of a girl. Don't stop!

[Lynn]

Oh, Wisteria is a wonderful, wonderful design - great fun to knit (and quick!) and great fun to wear. I have to rstrain myself to wearing it only once a week - people think I'm crazy enough as it is.

[Anne]

Yep! It's already on mine in slot #2! I hope you'll make one as well. :)

[Kim Kaslow]

It's been fun watching the list of sweaters appear here and there. I am not a fast enough knitter to do something like this, but it is fun watching the plans. :)

[Chris]

I'm trying to imagine how lovely a sweater from Shibui would be.

[Kristin]

I joined the group yesterday, and have started to dream up my own plans for 12 sweaters! I'm totally with you on the FUN part, although I'm also going to use this to finally, FINALLY knit up the sweater yarn that I've been holding on to for years.

I'm intrigued with the scarf. I finally looked up a picture the other day....and I love it even though it's not really anything I would ever have expected to like.

[Wool Winder]

If you could have knit the sweater in smaller chunks of time like you've been doing with the scarf, you might have enjoyed it more. But since you had a deadline attached it, I think you continued to knit it, even when it wasn't fun, instead of putting it in time out.

[Jewel]

I can't wait to see all the sweaters you knit. I love Wisteria, it looks like you should be wearing it.

[Laurie]

I'm glad to hear that you are finding the silk/steel as fussy as I found it. I guess I will pick it up again.

Is the Shibui doubled?

[Laurie]

Oh never mind...I just went back up and it is worsted wt.

[Barbara-Kay]

Land's End has a personal cyber model that you mold to your measurements and body type. You can then "try items on" online. Wouldn't it be loverly if we could do that on Ravelry?

I'm so glad you found out that the sweater you liked, "liked you".

[CindyCindy]

Oh, honey. When I saw the design, I thought of you. It will look wonderful on you!

[Marcia]

Although I am one of the nut-jobs who's decided to join this insanity, I'm figuring at least six will be vests or short-sleeved tee-shirt type "sweaters". I can't wait to see what you come up with! (Can we start now, please, please...it'll be a WIP by Jan 1, for sure!)

[Cheryl S.]

I tried it on yesterday, and it was heavenly! And really, not too big on me other than sleeve length. It felt fabulous, but I just don't think I could wear it very much because it was SO WARM. I don't think I could wear a pullover made out of any worsted-weight wool unless it was outdoors on a cold day, or inside with the thermostat set to 60.

[jillian]

No intolerable knits! The path to sanity :)

Wisteria is a gorgeous design and it always seems to looks wonderful on.

[Carole]

I can really see that sweater on you.

[Sarah]

Have you decided on a color for Wisteria?

[Cathy-Cate]

I didn't know Shibui made a worsted weight. If it's anything like their fingering and lace weight, it must be dreamy! And that is such a lovely design, I'd be putting it on my sweater list too, if I were making one, which I'm not!

[Hillary]

I definitely agree that life is too short to tolerate slogs. The only problem I have with that is identifying the slogs. What bores me to tears one night could be a joy the next. I think that for me is often depends on my mood and where I am in the pattern.

[Knitnana]

What a lovely sweater!
(((hugs)))

[Imbrium]

Wow...Wisteria IS beautiful. How did I miss that one before?

[Cookie]

I'm happy to hear that you've found your groove with the scarf. I think you needed to spend some time with the KSH. Everything after is simple and easy, yes? ;^)

I love that sweater pattern. It will look wonderful on you.

[Birdsong]

It is so individual and personal how things all come together just right... I have worked on something and greatly enjoyed the process, only to be unhappy with the finished product on my body, and vice versa... I know you know exactly what I mean. You are so wise to make the clear decision to start with something that should feel right and then still be willing to abandon it if the knitting is a slog. Wisteria is a beautiful design that would flatter many people - hope it joins your list!

[Katie]

I love the Wisteria as well. I hope to make it some day.

[KarenJoSeattle]

I've looked at Wisteria enough times I'm sure I'll do at least a modified version some time, if not in 2009. I plan to start with a couple of heavier gauge sweaters to get myself going after my experience with a 6spi NaKniSweMo project that's still half done. Guess I'd better sign up for next year's challenge.

So, what color did you gravitate toward for Wisteria?