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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

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.

28 comments:

  1. A sweater in three days? Oh my goodness Heather, your needles were moving! I am glad you have a sweater you can now enjoy.

    The Mystery shawl knitting sounds like a lot of fun. One day I would love to participate in a mystery knit.

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  2. It helped that the needles were a 15. I am just so happy with the sweater I could burst. Such a good decision to frog the first one. But oh so hard.

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  3. Heather your needles really have been busy. How wonderful! I hope we see more of that sweater-it looks wonderful. And a mystery shawl---I can not wait until next week.

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  4. Wow! A sweater that fast! I am still trying to psych myself up for knitting an adult sweater :-)

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  5. what a feat! three days! the thought of knitting a sweater makes me extremely nervous!

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  6. Wow, sounds like a perfect sweater project, I can't wait to see it. I have been contemplating the West mystery shawl, but can't decide!?!

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  7. Wow, Heather, that sweater is so pretty, I really like the colour and you knitted it up so fast!
    Have a lovely day
    Linda

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  8. Ah fantastic! You're participating in the Stephen West KAL, too! I can't wait.

    Great job on the cardigan! That was definitely a knitting race for you. :)

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  9. I love a sweater that knits up quick! It looks really beautiful too!

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  10. Wow you're amazing!!! One for frogging and then because you knit the sweater in 3 days. Awesome!! :-)

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  11. Wowwseee.....what a bunch you have accomplished!!! busy knitter. love the cardi--and can't wait to see the shawl as it progresses (I almost signed up---and thought about all my started projects, and just couldn't do it!!!!) keep us posted!

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  12. That is amazing! I think it took my three days to finish the one bootie, I can't imagine. It's lovely.

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  13. Gorgeous...the color...the sweater...everything!!

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  14. Anonymous8:40 AM

    Gorgeous sweater and I love quick bulky knit projects! This design has been on my list for a very long time and it's fun to see it knitted up :)

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  15. You are getting alot of knitting done. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has been more yarn focused and not book focused. I can't seem to get a happy balance there lately.

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  16. I think I need that sweater in my life! Bulky yarn is the most satisfying!

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  17. lovely sweater!!

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  18. ...eeeeap- it is sooo beautiful Heather. What beautiful pattern and yarn. I bet this will be a favorite.

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  19. That sweater is beautiful, and 3 days is just amazing! Enjoy

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  20. Holy Horse! That sweater is gorgeous! I'm glad that your yarn found a better fit with that sweater pattern. :-)

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  21. i love that color! and sheesh! three days, wow. you are amazing!

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  22. You have some fantastic things on the needles. Can't wait to see your Mystery shawl knit up in the Twist and Twine!
    A sweater in 3 days...fantastic!

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  23. Oh my goodness...knitting speed demon! Gorgeous! I'm jealous of your speedy skills... = )

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  24. oh my gosh heather! i can't wait to see it on you, it looks gorgeous! how fantastic you are so happy with it too, and i can so see why. lovely yellow color!

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  25. OK, it's official ... I'm in awe! ; )

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  26. Wow that was quick. It's a lovely sunny colour.

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  27. So yeah, I tagged that sweater pattern under Favorites on Ravelry right away :) Can't wait to see a pic of you in it.

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  28. Anonymous8:34 AM

    Wow, that sweater really flew off your needles! The colour is gorgeous!

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