The Next Big Thing

Yes, it's been sort of quiet around here lately.  A combination of a sick child and a visiting mother-in-law has drawn my attention to things other than knitting.  As a result, Alex's cardigan still languishes unfinished, waiting for a good toggle-shopping day.  And though we've been having a warm-today, cold-tomorrow weather pattern, I've pretty much reconciled myself to the fact that he won't be wearing it until next fall.

To fill in the few moments in between tasks and activities (because, you know, a girl can’t live entirely without knitting), I started the Friday Harbor socks from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush, using Mountain Colors Bearfoot yarn from stash...

...only to realize ::once again:: that variegated yarn is just not my thing.  The photo above makes it look better than it does in person.  To me, the variegation of the yarn causes the sock to look terribly muddled, obscuring the lacy design.  And even considering the colors alone, this mix of greens and browns reminds me too much of camouflage gear.  Ick!  It's such a shame as the yarn itself is so nice, but I just don't like it well enough to continue.  In fact, if anyone is interested in trading some solid or semi-solid color lace or sock yarn for this skein, do drop me an email.

When this project failed to work, I decided to go ahead and jump into my next big project:

It’s the Thanksgiving Shawl by Sharon Miller that I was eyeing a couple of months ago.  I purchased it as a kit from Renaissance Dyeing, thinking that it would be a great way to try out their yarn.  And in such a lovely gradation of blues!  I'm a little hesitant to start on such a demanding project, as I can seem myself getting bogged down and discouraged with the amount of time it will take to complete this.  But if I take it a little at a time, I think it will be manageable, and sooner or later, I'll get it done.

Baby steps...

...for Alex and I both.

Comments

[Lisa]

Those are beautiful colors in that kit - hope it goes well! Sorry about the socks :(

[Beth S.]

It's true, I am often compelled to buy a gorgeous skein of variegated laceweight only to get it home and wonder "what was I thinking?" It's lovely for ripple-type stitches like F&F, but not much else.

Maybe the answer is to mount the skein lovingly in a shadowbox and hang it on the wall to be admired for itself alone. ;-)

[Simona]

Variegated yarn can be skeined and re-dyed. Try.

[Saartje]

Oh, that is so cute, Alex walking, wearing his little coat and shoes! Is that your balcony?
Beautiful shawl, really lovely colors. And I'm with you on the varigated yarns: I've never seen one I liked. The colors may look pretty in the skein, but knitted up.... no.
I'll try to write you soon!!