For the Love of Bulky Yarn

I would have gorgeous socks to show you this week if I had not heard the siren's call of my stash. Last week I went through the yarn I brought with me in the hopes of finding a skein or two to use for the Stephen West Mystery Shawl Along. I decided to use a gorgeous skein of Twist and Twine from Camilla. Her yarn is so pretty, and I think it will be perfect paired with a charcoal for this shawl. After deciding on that project's yarn, I set about putting the yarn away. As I reshuffled my piles, I noticed a huge ball of Quince and Company Puffin, which was all that remained of my Oatmeal Pullover. I frogged this sweater severals months ago, because I did not love it. I wore it a few times and just didn't really like the fit. It was very unflattering for my body type with such bulky yarn. I decided then and there it was time to resurrect that yarn.

With the one huge ball and two smaller sleeve sized balls, I cast on for a Modern Garden Cardigan on Saturday night. The sweater flew off the needles. By Monday night I only had a few more rows to knit on the collar. As of yesterday morning, all was done. I even wove in all the ends. Now to find just the right buttons for this sweater and give it a good blocking. Amazing - Three days! And the sweater? I love it. The fit is perfect. Dave commented that it looks much better than the other sweater. The ingenious pattern utilizes shaping within the design elements, and it works so well. (I would have a modeled shot, but we stayed at the park Tuesday until well after 8pm. By the time the kiddos and I arrived home we did not have time for a photoshoot).

In addition to my new sweater, I did knit more on my mystery shawl. I ran out of yarn and had to buy a mini-skein to carry me through to the end. I am eager to receive the final clue this week and block it. I have been thinking of giving it to one of my aunts. I think she would appreciate the gift. I also began the heel on the socks. It is a new one for me since the socks are toe up with a gusset heel. These are great for park or out of the house knitting as they are very portable. I am planning to cast-on another sweater this week as well. The summer seems to be my sweater knitting time. I knit several last year during these warm months and hope to repeat the feat this year.

With so much knitting, reading has been slow. I was able to listen to part of my audiobook on my trip to the yarn store, and I catch a few pages of my print copy before falling asleep each night. Hopefully next week I have a bit more to share on that front.

As on every Wednesday I am joining Ginny for our weekly Yarn Along. I love checking out everyone's projects, and I hope you do too.