planning ahead . . .

Lately, I've been trying a new concept in my knitting. I call it "planning ahead". As opposed to last year, where I was forced by beautiful spring weather to abandon my heavy brown sweater WIP for something more seasonally appropriate, I'm trying to plan things to be finished at appropriate times. So, I cast on for February Lady in, well, February, and finished it up by mid-March. I only had 300 yards of yarn (Brookside Yarns Pico Alto in Spring), so I made a cropped, sleeveless version.

Basically, instead of putting the sleeves on stitch holders like the pattern said, I just bound off, which luckily made cute little cap sleeves with no effort on my part, and then knit the body in garter stitch until I ran out of yarn. All done totally by the seat of my pants, but it turned out great.

And it's perfect for anticipating spring, throwing on over a long-sleeve shirt or when I need a bit more layering at night.

The crazy-awesome pin is from Impulse of Delight. She was offering an amazing deal where all yarn orders placed in March would get a free shawl pin. Sign me up! I actually made buttonholes and everything, but I don't think I'll ever put buttons on; I like this so much.

Next up, I'll be making this from this:

I saw it at Needlenook and fell in love. Hopefully, by the time I finish, it'll still be cool enough for a mercerized cotton sweater. Planning ahead? Well, maybe. :-)

in which I am tired of winter

Dear Winter:
Things just haven't been the same between us. When you first arrived, everything was exciting and new. We did so many fun things together. Remember cuddling in front of the fire and knitting warm socks, making soup, and snuggling under the blankets at night? You even pulled out all the stops and gave me that big exciting snowfall last month. But things have changed. We're on different paths. We want different things, and I'm tired of being cold. I made this supercute cropped sweater, and I want to wear it without my bellybutton icing over, but you won't let me.



I've tried to make things work between us, but I'm just not feeling it anymore. We need to go our separate ways. It's not you, it's me.

Sincerely,
Kim

PS: I lied. It's you. It's all you.