I know I said I was going to finish two projects before starting this new sweater. I did finish the Bacchus socks, but the Birdie blankie is still sitting in my office half-sewn. Nevertheless, the sweater is started. It happened, as so many of my knitting projects do, sort of by accident.
I knit the first gauge swatch, and it changed measurements hugely after washing. I knit a second gauge swatch, and took better before-and-after measurements. But then I took a better look at the second gauge swatch and decided I wanted a firmer fabric. Which led me to the decision to go down a needle size and knit another swatch.
And I’m all for swatching thoroughly, but hell, this is a top-down sweater and I figured I may as well use the top of the sweater as my third swatch.
And now I know for sure what my gauge is going to be, plus I have a good chunk of sweater knit up. I really really like the way this is looking so far, and boyohboy, simple stockinette stitch sweaters in worsted weight go fast. Plus, knitting with this merino/silk yarn is so nice! It’s soft, it’s yummy, I can’t get enough of it.
I’ve been spinning a bunch too. I’ve got two new skeins that haven’t debuted yet, plus these four bobbins of 2-ply that I’m getting ready to skein up when I’m done here. Details on the spinning next time.
I am making one in Berroco Ultra Alpaca – super soft and as you say, it is knitting up quickly. I started it a week ago and I have just the sleeves left. Isn’t it neat pattern? I just made Frances Revisited and it is similar in construction – there are many possibilities for this pattern.
Clever! It already looks great on you.