Jan 04
2012
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Wow! It's the third of January already! I feel like I should do some sort of "looking back, looking forward" post but for now I'm going to talk about this year's (last year's?) Christmas knitting.
I only had two projects this year but since both of them were for Rob I had to get creative about when and where I was knitting. Project number one was a new pair of socks. Just a simple 2x2 rib around 64 stitches. The yarn is Socks that Rock Lightweight in "Manly yes, but I like it too". I had already used up a tiny bit of this skein to finish a pair of socks for Rob and I was knitting nervously - trying to make the socks as long as possible in the leg without running out of yarn. I was working toe-up so I had a bit of a safety net but I didn't stop me from worrying. I didn't get started quite early enough in November either and was racing to finish in time. The first sock took about a month; the second was done in four days! I finished work a day and half before Rob did and knit like a mad thing the whole time he was out of the house. The result was an awesome pair of socks in his stocking and I think it was totally worth it.
Project number two was kind of a proto-project. I've been wanting to make another sweater for Rob lately and Christmas seemed like the perfect reason to get started. I ordered samples of three different yarns, knit six swatches - each yarn at two different tensions - and wrapped up the best three along with a picture of the pattern I was thinking of and colour cards to go with the yarns. Rob got to choose the fabric he liked the best, a colour he'd be happy to wear and confirmed that the pattern I'd suggested was the right style.
I'll be making the Basic Pullover from Knits Men Want. The winning yarn is Quince and Co. Osprey. A lovely aran weight yarn I've used twice before for hats and that actually inspired my sweater making thoughts in the first place (I really liked working with Lark as well and I'm thinking of getting some for a cardigan for me this spring - maybe Crocus). The winning colour is Kumlien's gull - the colour of the swatch. Unfortunately it's out of stock right now but I should get an email as soon as it is available and I'm looking forward to casting on around the beginning of February.