Juggling Act...

Good Morning Everyone!

Ever feel like you've bitten off more than you can knit? I've been doing some mental gymnastics in order to reassure myself I can, indeed, get the three sweaters currently on my needles finished. Addie's sweater is closest to completion, doesn't hurt it's knit with Coast (aran weight) on #8's. I'm cruising on sleeve #1, it's halfway done, I'm not too worried, it's for Christmas. I do have images of me frantically duplicate stitching the "A" Christmas Eve (it's a Harry Potter sweater), stay tuned. I have successfully completed the most stunning colorwork on my Thistlewood sweater. I've divided the front and back, the sleeves are hanging out on some Purl Strings. It's fingering weight on #4's which can feel like miles of knitting. This will be a fantastic mindless knitting endeavor while watching my hockey games. Lastly, the Athene Raglan aka my Barred Owl all over colorwork test knit sweater. We've been given until December 22nd to have the body completed and at least one sleeve, I started yesterday.

I admit to feeling a bit over my head after printing the pattern and seeing the charts, OMG the charts. I read the pattern, something I rarely do, simply because it usually overwhelms me. This time was no exception, and then I started reading all of the feedback on the group thread. That pit in my stomach started feel like a lead balloon, what have I done? I hadn't even swatched yet, armed with my big girl panties, I cast on, let the games begin. I managed to get gauge the second time around, well sort of. The pattern calls for 5.75 sts/inch I got 6sts the first time then 5.5 the second, 5.5 it is. I did throw all caution to the wind, I'm using Moonshine by Juniper Moon Farm, the original sweater used Kelbourne Woolen's Scout, a rather thin DK aka sport versus my light worsted/worsted. I guess for once, my tight tension is to my advantage.

My fear has shifted, I think I'm going to have a difficult time NOT WORKING on it. I learned a new technique with the construction of the collar, I have no idea why I thought it was confusing initially. Like many of you, once I had the sweater in my hands, I followed the directions, just like Sandy always says. In a nutshell, you knit 4 rows, pick up the stitches of the cast on edge one by one and knit it together with each stitch, clear as mud? It yields a neat rolled edge which perfectly compliments the corrugated, 2 colored, ribbing. So far, this sweater is a lot of fun. I was pretty freaked out about the charts for this, I'm reading 3 huge charts, one row at a time on 3 separate pages, so far, so good (mind you, I'm on row 2, lol). There's no guarantee I won't be absolutely cross eyed or locked in a rubber room when all is said and done, but I'm 100% confident I will have a beautiful new sweater. Best of all, I've been dying to use Moonshine for a sweater, it is absolutely incredible to work with and feels amazing despite the tighter gauge. I think the combination of the merino, alpaca and silk lends itself to a luxurious fabric, no matter the gauge.

This Saturday, October 24th is going to be a lot of fun! It starts with the KAL gals getting together from 9-11. Many are on the cusp of finishing their Antipodes sweaters, my friend Kristen absolutely cranked hers out and was able to wear it to Rhinebeck last weekend. I'm excited to see everyone's progress! We had discussed the next project, Where Are The Leaves? This looks like a lot of fun https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/where-are-the-leaves

It's also MALABRIGO DAY!! I placed an order to restock Rios and I also decided to add Arroyo, there have been several requests for more DK. Additionally, Malabrigo has sent along fabulous FREE patterns, gadgets and stickers for giveaways. They are also encouraging everyone to enter their raffle. It's super easy to enter, simply take a photo or video, tag @malabrigoyarns & @whatayarn, and use #MalabrigoDay and #MalabrigoFit to join in.

We will be meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6-7:30 for Stitch and Bitch, I hope you can join in the fun. Make it a great day and I'll see you soon!

Katy

P.S. Stay tuned for the big announcement regarding this year's ADVENT CALENDAR, it's almost finished!!!