Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Works in progress.

Because of the nature of a yarn shop, Anne and I probably spend more time talking with people about their projects in the future tense than we do checking up on older projects, both finished and unfinished. There is much more to chat about if one has not begun one's project: what fiber to choose, and then what yarn, and what color? How much of it? What size needles or hook, and where to turn if a particular technique is unfamiliar? Finished and unfinished works carry all these conversations with them as well, of course, but not always with the same exuberance that drives one to begin. Occasionally, though, a break occurs in the project planning and a question comes: what are you working on now? With this question in mind, I submit these two works in progress, one of Anne's and one of my own.


Anne is working on a pair of socks of late, "happy socks," as she describes them. The pattern is simple, fundamental, even, and has been worked so many times that at this point, it can be summoned from her memory. Ribbed socks can be such a comfort in this way. The yarn is Claudia Hand Painted, in a fingering weight. Many a knitter has reached out to touch this sock-to-be, then rushed over to the Claudia cubby for a few skeins of their own.


I'm still working on my Saroyan, a scarf out of Malabrigo Lace yarn. I work on it only during quiet moments at the shop, and thus, am progressing slowly. Still, there is something to be said for the patience that knitting teaches us, and pleasure in the process. The yarn is soft and fine, the pattern well-written, and let's not kid ourselves: this is totally not the only knitting project I have going at the moment. I have a sweater half-finished, two sock patterns half-written, another pair on the needles, and about thirty other knitting ideas competing for the title of Next New Project. Never a dull moment, I tell you. 

So, what are you working on now?

3 comments:

  1. That saroyan looks great in malabrigo lace! What size needle are you using? It looks like a 5 or 6

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  2. I have two active projects. I finished he body of Shalom and I like the subtle striping that I created when I blended the Cascade Eco Wool with the lovely mystery wool that I picked up at the farmer's market in Brattleboro, VT. I'm trying to decide if I want sleeves. So, it sits in my basket while I think on it.

    I started a pique edged baby blanket that is my current 'travel' project. I'm using some Rowan All Seasons cotton that my sister picked up while traveling in Scotland. Which reminds me, I need to stop by and get a Goknit project bag.

    See you this weekend!

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  3. Hoping to put the finishing touches on a "Lucky 13" (From "Pretty in Punk") felted hat tonight. Good ol' Lamb's Pride in Dynamite Blue and Onyx. That will be the last of my holiday knitting, and fulfillment of a special request from my aunt who loves the one I made for myself.

    It has taken every ounce of willpower not to cast on about 3 different sock projects in the meantime. My Ravelry queue grows and grows and grows....!

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