Willy Nilly

My pink sweater is done. I spent the morning last week seaming the shoulders and sleeves. I took my time, and they look great. I followed these directions, which helped a lot. Once I had the seaming done I tried it on. It fit well. I loved the look, the color, and the style. I didn't like the collar. It was a bit wonky, so I tinked back and redid the collar. I picked up the recommended stitches and knit the last few rows. Bliss! It looks fantastic now. I tried to find buttons this weekend at a local store, but forgot the sweater. Even with Eamon's help pulling out buttons, I just couldn't commit without trying them with the actual sweater. I hope to venture out again this week in search of the right ones. I am eager for cooler weather, so I can wear this. (I also am eager for cooler weather as it is humid here. Phew!)

With the sweater done, I spent a lot of time plotting my next project. I still had a few days before the Stephen West MKAL. I decided to actually do a gauge swatch for that shawl, finish the book I was reading, and then begin another sweater. My gauge worked out well, but I ended up changing the yarn. I wanted to use Swans Island fingering in charcoal, but I learned that the indigo could crock and may discolor the result. It definitely discolored my hands as I wound it into a ball. I plan on using it in a single color item instead. A quick color change, aided by my local knitting friends' help in color matching, and I was able to finish the first clue. I am not sure about the pattern yet, but I am willing to forge ahead and see where the mystery takes me.

With the gauge done, last night I set about starting the next sweater. Summer is my time to knit big items (last year I made myself three sweaters). It doesn't make logical sense due to the heat, but makes perfect sense in timing. The next two sweaters I want to make are the Garter Stitch Swingy Sweater and Nanook. I fortunately have yarn for both here in D.C. Previously I did gauge swatches for each, so I figured I was ready to go. I opened up my notes for the first sweater and noticed how thorough my scribblings were. The only thing missing in the gauge information was the actual needle size. I had all the information about stitches per inch, rate of decrease, lengths, and measurements, but no needle size. ARGH! So last night, I cast on for the second sweater. While doing that I checked one last spot for the needle size. Voila! I found it, and cast on for that sweater too. All this willy nilly casting on should produce a sweater or two in the next month.

With a project off the needles and several beginning, I took a few moments to finish the book I was reading. The Butterfly Cabinet was a better read once I actually took time to sit down and read it for longer than a few minutes. It still was a bit slow, and I didn't think the surprises were that amazing. I am not sure I would read it again. I find I am stingy with my reading time and only recommend those books I truly enjoy. We all enjoyed Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms. Eamon wanted to pre-order the next book in the series. We are also enjoying Where the Mountain Meets the Moon very much. The kiddos want to read "just one more chapter" every time I try to set it down.

So, what are you knitting this week with Ginny? Do you ever make meticulous notes only to find crucial information is missing? What books would you recommend over all others?