Suddenly, everything is craziness. It's finals week, I have to write a paper in two days, the yarn for Francie is not cooperating, my gauge for Ink was perfect for row gauge but way, way too tight for column gauge so I had to rip it out and reknit it in a larger size if I ever wanted to actually wear it...
Oh, and it's snowing outside. Again. Yes, on the first of May.
So instead of dwelling on the mess of what's going on right now, I've begun to dream about what elaborate striking things I want to knit when I have the time and leisure. Things that I know are within my capabilities, but maybe just within them, projects that I'd have to dedicate big chunks of time and concentrate on. Finished pieces that are iconic and amazing. More Nouveau Beaded Capelets, essentially.
Here are some of the things that are sitting on this list (pictures link to pattern pages on Ravelry):
Girasole by Jared Flood
I have to admit, I don't really know what to do with circular shawls. How do you wear one? But it doesn't really matter. I want to have knitted this, even if it's only destined to be draped over a sofa afterwards.
Artemis by MMario
See above.
Old Forge by Stephen West
The fact that this is listed as a blanket and not a shawl does much to reconcile me to knitting a Large Circular Thing. In the midst of so many delicate airy lacy things, this pattern speaks surprisingly strongly to my hearty Norse/Dwarven/metalworking/runic soft spot.
Raven-shawl by Gari Lynn
Speaking of Norse, here's another thing I don't usually go for - a shawl knitted up in worsted weight. Named after the two raven companions of Odin, this shawl won me over by its construction that actually looks like feathered wings.
Horus by Utlinde
Shawls with unique constructions that look like feathers or wings are a fairly surefire way to ensure my approval.
Pretty As A Peacock by Jae Koscierzynski
Yes.
Wow. They're all amazing. The peacock and Horus are especially interesting to me; I love the idea of the shawl taking the shape of a bird. It's almost like wearing a costume of a bird. Maybe that's weird but I have a background in costume design and that's my first though. Good luck with your finals and the snow; I saw the forecast for your area and was kind of appalled. Snow in May, yikes.
ReplyDeleteI know! I've been looking at your bright summery photos with no small amount of envy and longing.
DeleteMy favorite is definitely Old Forge. Also, this time next week the semester will be completely over... that is all that is getting me through. :/
ReplyDeleteIt really does have a certain charm to it that lace can't match, doesn't it?
DeleteI can't even think about next week yet. Right now I'm just looking forward to Friday when Bandit gets here.
It seems delicate in a sturdy way. :P
DeleteHah, well I'm glad your solace is only 30 hours from now! That's even better.
ugh wow, these all are really beautiful.
ReplyDeletelace seems super intimidating to me as a knitting beginner, but hey, i can dream, right?
that stephen west circular object is just gorgeous.
Lace isn't intimidating at all once you go ahead and try it! It's just a matter of following the pattern and knitting one stitch at a time. The Endpaper Mitts you knitted, now those are really intimidating for someone who's only ever done half of one colorwork project.
DeleteI am amused at your notations for stitch and row gauge. (At least, I assume that's what row and column gauge are, respectively.)
ReplyDeleteAnd you are cruel to my Ravelry queue. Just so you know.
Yes, those... things. Thingies. Can you tell I don't swatch often?
DeleteI am good to your Ravelry queue! I feed it pretty things.
Neither do I. The concept of "how many stitches across is an inch" and "how many rows high is an inch" always made sense in my head, though, so stitch gauge and row gauge were automatic.
DeleteYour namings make sense, if you look at what direction you're measuring, rather than what makes up what you're measuring.