Process or Product?

I certainly enjoy the process of knitting.  The process of the knitting itself, the relaxation, the peace, the enjoyment that comes from just sitting and knitting, contemplating, meditating, thinking.  

So when I saw a mistake in this girl's cardigan, way back in the process, I only freaked out just a little.  Just a little.  Sigh.  If you look closely, you will notice that the third row grouping of "lace" bobble-dealies is shorter than in the other rows. I totally skipped a few rows which made that pattern group shorter than the other rows. 

If you know me, you know I'm a bit of a perfectionist.  And it's that quality in me that makes me care also about the finished product.  I almost left the sweater alone, almost decided to ignore the glaring mistake, almost continued on.  But I didn't.  I frogged out the entire sweater as shown in the picture above, and I started over.  And in the process I decided to knit the sweater one size smaller.  

And you know, I like the second sweater so much better.  So is it the process or the product that matters most?  For me, I think it's both.  

Pictures soon.

Ruth

Pattern: Make Mine Strawberry

from Through the Back Loops

Yarn Splurge

A few posts back I wrote that I don't keep a yarn stash except for sock yarn.  I must confess, last week I bought some yarn without specific patterns in mind.  My excuse?  I had a Living Social coupon for 1/2 price yarn, and a friend and I went and splurged.  It was lovely.  The yarn shop was lovely, the yarn was luscious, and my friend and I had a great time.  No regrets!

Aren't you curious what yarn I bought?  First off, I bought this Green Apple Firefly yarn, a blend of rayon and linen.  A sample scarf was hanging in the shop, and it called my name.  (The sample was candy pink, but I bought green).

  

The Firefly Fringe Scarf pattern was in a book with other patterns, but I didn't want to spend $15.00 for a book of patterns when I only wanted one of the included patterns.  (Why don't companies make PDF patterns for sale of single patterns?!!)   After scrounging around on Ravelry, I came across a similar pattern for a fraction of the cost.  So with the Green Apple Firefly, I plan on making "The Slink" scarf.   :)

The second yarn I bought was Liberty Wool in the "Berry Bramble" colorway.  I bought approximately 610 yards which is too much yardage for accessories and too little for a sweater.  (What can I say, I wasn't thinking properly surrounded by all that lovely yarn, and really, I couldn't afford to buy more yardage anyway).  

So....I think I may make Emily (who is now 7 years old!!!) a cardigan.  I haven't decided on a pattern yet, but I may use the Pure and Simple Cardigan that I made 5 years ago. (Wow! I can't believe it's been that long).

Until I decide on a pattern, I'm open to other patterns that uses 600 yards of light-worsted weight yarn. Any suggestions????

Deep Waters Cardigan, DONE!

Deep Waters is finished, done, completed, wahoo!  I thoroughly enjoyed knitting this cardigan and am happy to have completed it in a month's time.  Now if the temperatures here in Oklahoma will ever drop below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, I may be able to wear it.  :)

The Pattern:  Vodka Gimlet, by Thea Colman

The Yarn:  Knit Picks, Swish Tonal, Deep Waters colorway

Needles:  Size 7 for the body, and size 6 for the sleeves.  

(I do not have the size 7 double-pointed needles needed for knitting the sleeves in the round, so I used a 6.  In hindsight, even though my gauge was spot on for a size 32 sweater, I should have used smaller needles for the whole thing.  The sweater is bigger, roomier, than I would prefer.)

All in all, I am thrilled with the finished cardigan!  I know I will wear it a lot this winter.