Which way do I go? It's that time again...that time of the month, that time of MoDo angst. The roller coaster ride begins anew! It's new sweater decision time, pick the yarn time, pick the pattern time. It's make endless lists time, scribble and cross out time and start swatching time. It's time to pick a direction and go!
Believe it or not, I'm getting better at making sweater decisions. The main thing I've learned is not to get ahead of the process. Don't pick the next sweater until it's time to cast on. The pattern, along with the yarn, must speak with one voice and a clear path must be visible. If steps in the process are made too soon the result could be an unhappy marriage; wrong pattern with wrong yarn. A knitter, especially one on a 12 sweater quest, cannot afford discord in the stash.
There are multiple yarns in my stash that could become any number of sweaters. It's nice to have choices, but too many choices can lead to indecision, angst and, ultimately, an unsuitable choice. Reading blogs and spending time on Ravelry can be a big help, but it can also exacerbate the problem by offering even more choices. (GAH!)
Let's take, for instance, the book "A Fine Fleece". I bought the book and loved everything in it, but wasn't sure if any of the sweaters would be right for me, my stash and MoDo. Then Anne knit Harriett, Amanda and she's now knitting the Trinity Vest. Every one of them looks great and her experience has answered some of my questions, plus I have several stashed yarns that would be suitable. To complicate issues, Elspeth knit Espresso in another yarn that resides in my stash, Rowan Felted Tweed. This just might be "the one" for MoDo #4, however, I also love Lily from the Twist Collective (which may be my all time favorite knitting magazine) and Susan's Tempest. Beautiful yarns are in the stash to knit both. The only way to have a real idea of what's next is to start swatching, see which yarn sings out clearly and tells me which sweater it wants to be.
This list angst just may be a monthly occurrence throughout MoDo and that's ok. At least I now know the undecided-ness of which yarn and which pattern is all part of the process, my process. If this is the way to find the path, so be it. The trick is to not start the process too soon, and yet, be ready for the next sweater when the time comes. Think I'll start statching today.
I have Felted Tweed in that colour in my unruly stash ~ I'd love some inspiration of what to do with it. All your stash is tempting me...
Posted by: Renee | February 26, 2009 at 06:00 PM
I do love daydreaming about next projects, but you hit the nail on the head... it all has to come together in the cast on. Swatching is a process in itself that helps to clarify these questions and decide what will be most enjoyable in the present moment. Happy 4th sweater knitting (or is it 5th now? how is Bohus coming?)
Posted by: Birdsong | February 26, 2009 at 08:59 PM
It is quite an accomplishment to figure out this part of your process so early in a 12-month project.
Posted by: Sarah | February 26, 2009 at 10:48 PM
There is so much to love in A Fine Fleece! I can't wait to see what you come up with next! (I keep thinking of Trinity Vest myself!)
xo
Posted by: sandy | March 02, 2009 at 04:55 AM
Oh, I know now that you have to be ready to work on the thing. I put down a hat (only a hat!) 5 rows in about 5 months ago, and yesterday I ripped it.
Posted by: Kim | March 02, 2009 at 04:43 PM
It is hard to decide, especially as you are ready to start a new sweater. You definitely shouldn't be like me and start 3 sweaters at once, as I did. Yikes!
Posted by: Wanda | March 23, 2009 at 09:36 PM