Thursday, May 03, 2018

May Yarn Along: Looking Forward to Looking Back

I'm joining Ginny's Yarn Along for the second time, and hope to make this a more regular thing! Perhaps it will help keep me focused on my knitting (and reading!) projects, and that wouldn't be a bad thing.


I'm now well into my sweater with the Sugar Baby Alpaca. The pattern I'm using is Looking Back, and I'm eager to finish it -- even if I probably won't get to wear it until the fall. After the months and months I spent working on my White Pine cardigan, it feels good to be making quick progress on this sweater! I'm hoping to complete this knit within the next few days, which would be just about a month.




This will be quite a light knit (which works well with the lacy pattern). I do love that it buttons up the back -- though the neckline was so high that I can't imagine wearing it buttons-facing-front. I altered the back neckline to make it practical to wear as a forward-facing cardigan (i.e., maternity friendly, in case I need that in the future). I'm hoping this doesn't make it slip off the shoulders too easily -- it will require an undershirt regardless, so I'm not too worried about it. Still, I'm hoping the neck band will pull it all together (literally and figuratively).

So far, this has been a pretty painless knit! I've had a few hiccups here and there (figuring out the back neckline alteration, picking up stitches around the armholes, and binding off the bottom and sleeve edges), but overall it's been smooth sailing. Now all that remains are the button and neck bands, and I'm having a bit of difficulty there. I finished the buttonhole side, only to realize that it wasn't quite right. I took the whole thing off, blocked the sweater (I hate blocking before the project is finished!), and am now ready to start again after I do a little math to figure out the best pick-up ratio. I'd rather just charge ahead and finish, but I know I'll be happier with the result if I take a little time to do it right.

As for my current reading, I picked up Northanger Abbey on a whim -- it's been years since I last read it, and I still hadn't read any of my "upgraded" Jane Austen volumes (I'd wanted hardcover versions for several years, and I love the tiny Collector's Library editions. They were also quite economical). I'd forgotten just how much I love Jane Austen's writing! I'm thoroughly enjoying it!

That's what's on my needles and my mind this month; I'd love to hear what projects and reads you have underway!




8 comments:

  1. Hi! Your project looks lovely, i cant wait to see it completed! And the colour is gorgeous, by the way. I always have trouble picking colours online as i prefer to “see” them first, but buying yarn bringing 3 kids 3 and under in tow is... overwhelming to say the least! I should start trying your method....
    I have the exact same copy of Northhanger Abbey! I have read it several times in the subway. I love those small copies, i can carry them everywhere! A good friend of mine brought me the copy from Bath and it has been my treasure since then. When i visited Bath i didnt have space in my luggage to carry books back home (i flew with ryanair and i think i paid about 50e for a round trip to london so i cant complain, though) and i regreted it. There were so many options! If you buy hard copies let us know which ones! You always seem to pick the cutest ones 😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elena,

      Thanks for the kind words! I picked the colorway because it was deeply discounted (I probably would have picked a different color had they all been reduced), but I am so glad now that I chose it! It has a beautiful depth, and I can't quite decide if it's blue or green. It is certainly scary buying online, though -- we have a few yarn shops in our area that I haven't even visited yet, because I have the same concern that you do. Four children in a yarn shop sounds... not fun. Also, you have 3 kids now (and all in three years)?! Congrats! I remember you mentioning that it had taken a while for that first baby to come along.

      Yes, I also love that those editions are so portable -- perfect to tuck in a bag. When I visited the UK about 10 years ago, I think I doubled my luggage weight on the return trip, just with the books that I'd purchased! ;-)

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Cheers,
      Shannon

      Delete
  2. Hi Shannon,

    The sweater you're knitting is beautiful. I love the yarn color and can imagine how soft the alpaca must be. Alpaca is probably my favorite fiber, since it is so soft. The sweater style is very unique. The lace section is stunning!

    I listened to "Northanger Abbey" years ago and remember enjoying the story.

    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sarah,

      Thank you for the kind words! I don't know that I've ever knit with alpaca before, but it's definitely a favorite fiber now. Of course, while picking up for the neckline, I discovered an error in my lace RIGHT at the neck! Grr. I don't think it will be noticeable, though -- the lace is what really drew me to this pattern!

      Cheers,
      Shannon

      Delete
  3. That is a beautiful sweater! The color, the stitch pattern, the whole thing. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind words, Juliana! I'm so glad I found that pattern. :-)

      Cheers,
      Shannon

      Delete
  4. love lace work and the blue and alpaca and . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Leslie! I need to get pictures of the finished sweater -- I love what happens to lace when you block it. :-)

      Cheers,
      Shannon

      Delete

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thank you so much for stopping by!