Nearing the End of Number Nine

Without anything else on my needles Tempest Two has been growing in leaps and bounds. It's a fast growing sweater anyway, but I didn't think it would be finished so quickly. The first sleeve and the body is pieces are off the needles. (The sleeves for this incarnation are above the elbow.) One sleeve to GO!

You can see the little pins I use to mark the increases, decreases, and the number of rows. The only way to knit Tempest without stripes, and keep track of what's coming, is to count the rows as if there were stripes. Each piece was carefully marked and checked against the others as I went. Seaming go smoothly because of this due diligence. (fingers crossed)

To keep the yarn from pooling, or the color from doing strange things, I worked with two separate balls and worked two by two rows. Each ball had its own little quirks; bright blues spots, more white areas or stronger color sections, and in the end, mixing the balls paid off. The pieces look very much the same and the fabric is a lovely color and texture.

I have to confess to being quite happy about being ahead on knitting twelve sweaters.  It takes some of the pressure off, but I still have that sense, that niggling voice, constantly telling me there are more sweaters to do.  Maybe I'll feel some relief after number ten is finished, but I have a feeling my mind isn't going to let me rest until all twelve are in the bag.

Comments

[Sarah]

That is a very lovely fabric you are creating. I like the stitch markers and their help when it comes to seaming time. Almost ten. This has been fun to watch.

xo

[Diana]

Absolutely beautiful! And thanks a lot for the tip, I would never have thought to change the balls so that the pieces don't differ. (And I'm sure I'll use the pins for all the increases and decreases as well, it's so simple yet so effective, I don't see why I didn't think of that before.)

[Kristin]

I used to think that I was a fast knitter! Ha Ha!

I always mark my projects with safety pins so that I can get pieces to be the exact same size. My guild thinks this is a bit funny - especially in the case of my socks - but it does save a lot of heartache! (I could possibly be the only one in my guild that will intentionally knit a pieced sweater.)

I do love the speckly blue of your sweater! It's very pretty, and I think it'll add a lot of interest to the sweater.

[Nora]

It's coming along beautifully!

[cindycindy]

That is beautiful. I love the color and the look. What do the buttons look like, huh????? And, your feeling pressed is exactly why I did not even try. That, and the whole caregiving/economy/work thing;-P Happy Thursday, Sweetie!!!

[linda-kay]

I'm loving this Tempest also. The color looks so cool and summery. Can I still sign up for the Feather Duster KAL? I got the pattern last night, am rummaging through the stash, but feeling a road trip coming very soon. I want to try the square needles also, but by the time I get to my LYS, they are sold out. Maybe I should go oftener. ;)

[Carole]

Wow, that's going fast! I alternated yarn balls with the Baby Chalice blanket, too, and it worked out fine.

[Chris]

I love that blue. You're doing a great job with switching so that the colors don't pool!

[Geri]

The more I see of Tempest the more I like. Love the color, blue is a favorite. I bow to your sweater knitting. I think you will safely knit 12!

[Vicki]

Wow. I'm in awe of you 12-sweater knitters!!

[Doris]

I love the fabric that you are creating. That blue is really pretty. That's a great tip on the safety pins...thanks!

[jill]

I love the use of "due diligence." Who knew it pertained to knitting? Anyone with a pool of yarn in their lap and empty needles. ;-) What a cheerful color you've chosen for this sweater.

[Teyani]

that one is going to be lovely.
I still can't believe that you have actually almost finished nine sweaters! PLUS you have finished up a huge bunch of other stuff as well.. amazing.

[Marcia]

You are so productive it often makes me think I should just pack it in! And your stuff FITS, dammit. Can't wait to see Son of Tempest on your bod!

[Heather Joins The Round]

It looks awesome so far, and just the kind of thing you'll wear for years!

[Cheryl S.]

This is going to be such a great sweater!

[Hillary]

That fabric really is pretty. I love the softness of the blues.

[Sneaksleep]

This just might inspire me to frog my Lucie and alternate skeins like I knew I should have done from the beginning. It's lovely!

[Anne B.]

I think I may have to chain myself to the desk chair to stop from going to the yarn store (only a 10 minute walk!) to look for Koigu, they have a huge selection there. Its turning out really beautifully!

[knitnana]

That colorway is knitting up so beautifully, I'm just melting over here...and the color is cooling, too! 'Tis gonna be gorgeous!
(((hugs)))

[Norma]

Oh, that Koigu was such a great choice for this sweater I've got enough Koigu, I hope, to do a stripey one someday.

[Cookie]

You'll be done in no time! It will look lovely on you, but we already knew that.

[Yarndude]

You never cease to amaze me.

[Barbara-Kay]

I've always said I wouldn't knit something that required me to use alternating balls of the same color. However, your excellent results make a persuasive case.

Very nice knitting!

[Kym]

Mmmmm. That blue looks absolutely refreshing.