Monday, December 05, 2005

Too Lazy for Pictures (but a long post anyway?)


My copy arrived yesterday and I love it. The book has some very inspirational projects it in... and they must be inspirational, as I cannot knit the patterns as written (and not just because it's in japanese). The sizing is small. Very small, so I'll use the charts and the pictures and do my own pattern.

The one that everyone is talking about (which is actually called "Am Kamin" in the book) is lovely, but that doesn't even begin to cover the beauty in this book. There is not a dud anywhere. When was the last time you bought a knitting book where EVERY SINGLE PROJECT IS KNITABLE????

Anyway, apart from the obvious cabled sweaters in the book (the cover sweater is a must do... but I'm thinking top down and as a cardigan), it's the entrelac sweaters that are fascinating me the most. There's a sweater called "Poeme" that has an entrelac yoke. The size of the squares is how the yoke shaping is done. Brilliant (oh, and the other entrelac sweater shapes the sleeve the same way).

However, I'm still trying to get some much loved projects done that I've already started. I'll have the front of the Cable O's Vest done today and hopefully even get it seamed. I also put Marilyn into my project rotation again. For several reasons: I love the pattern and I want to get it done. Oh, and Beth Brown-Reinsel left a tag on the KAL tagboard (I love when the designer jumps into help with the KAL's. Janet Szabo was a big help on the SCA KAL).

So I worked a bit on it over the weekend, and decided to pull back a few rows. I changed one of the cables a bit (well, I just decided instead of bobbles, to just put in a moss stitch for one of the cables), and I didn't like my ratio of turning (charts? you mean there are charts in the pattern booklet? huh. Probably should read those once in a while). So I'm back in the groove again with it. (I love the Black Water Abbey yarn).

I think part of the inspiration is the KAL being planned on the Aran Knitlist. The list has a lot of new cable knitters so there's been a lot of questions and a lot of excitement about the project. I'm just not sure I can start an other major cabled project right now. Any money on whether I start it or not? Yeah, I'm sure you're right.

However, that didn't keep me from swatching the Am Kamin (ie: lost in translation). It needs a very smooth yarn to show the twisted stitches, that's for sure. Mary's been swatching for it and it's been interesting to follow her progress. However, since I need a 46" finished size, I'm leaning more towards worsted weight rather than DK. I tried the Peruvian Highland from Elann and the yarn is way too soft for a crisp stitch definition. I did pull out some Paton's Classic Wool from stash and I'm leaning towards it. I did it on size 5 needles (I want those stitches to pop), but I think I'll go up a needle size. I'll have to do a really large swatch (basically half the pattern) to get a good idea on sizing.

So lots to play with, lots to finish and the good news is that apart from finishing Matt's vest, I'm all set for Christmas. Well, my calendars need to be finished and mailed, but apart from that, I'm set. We put up our tree yesterday and I think that's all I'll do for decorating. Since Matt bought his new road bike this year and he's going to get a time trial bike soon, I don't have to do much for him. So lot's of time to work on projects (and play video games!)

Have a great Monday!!!
20 Knitting Days Until Christmas!!!

4 Comments:

At 1:48 PM , deletethisaccount said...

You lucky devil you!!!! I'm SO lusting after that book right now!!! but money is too tight :( so I'll just have to keep lusting and hope that there are still copies available in the new year! Can't wait to see which yarn you choose for it!

Marilyn ... dear dear Marilyn! oh how I love that sweater ... I really should make my mind up on the yarn and get going on it ... it's just too lovely to give up! and Yes, the bobbles need to go! go go go! so you're just using a moss stitch?

Oh drats ... Christmas knitting ... ugh ... no knitting on "Me" stuff until it's all done ... waahhhh!!!

Hope you have a lovely knitterly day!!!!

 
At 4:34 PM , Cindy said...

Well, the book came to $25.01 (US) from the Amazon Japan site (that includes the shipping). Took only a week to get here and it was worth every single penny! You should see the shawls!!!

I'm loving working on Marilyn again. It's been hard to put down so I can concentrate on my obligation knitting (I guess Matt's only get one Christmas project this year... heehee)). I'll put a picture up tomorrow to show what I changed.

I'm thinking we'll do a "Selfish KAL" next month for the new year. The project must be for yourself!!! Perfect antidote to all this gift knitting!!!

 
At 11:46 PM , Mary said...

Cindy, It sounds like we're shooting for about the same size with the Am Kamin sweater. I just got my book today and dropped everything to read it (well, I didn't read much - but drooled over the pictures). The pictures on the web made the sweater look like it was in more of a heathered yarn, but now that I see the "real" pictures, it's clear that the yarn used has a more solid, jeweltone look to it. Wouldn't it be pretty in a deep, warm purple - maybe Cascade 220 is the yarn of choice after all?

Decisions! And time to get out some of those japanese knitting translation charts!

 
At 6:54 AM , Cindy said...

Mary, we are thinking alike... I'm pretty sure I'm going to use the Paton's Wool from my stash in the color "aubergine"... a dusty purple (a discontinued color). I'm going to have to do an other swatch with it with larger needles, but oh, do the stitches pop!

 

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