Braids Cardigan

So the Braids cardigan is moving right along. I just love that pattern. In fact, I should pick up some more Cabin Fever patterns. I've made two of their kits. The sweaters fit well. They aren't terribly complicated but that's okay. They look good. The Braids cardigan has square armholes and a square neck that is rounded by the ribbing. It's not a true cable, more like travelling stitches.

It's good to use this yarn. I got this back when my friend Joy was alive and we did custom knitting for Cascade Yarns. I always took my pay out of Joy's yarn shop and let her have my credits for yarn from Cascade. I'm still working through the stuff I got from her. I drive by her old place going home and think about her. She decided to end her life several years ago, when Crohn's disease got the better of her.

Reknitting

I just took apart an old project (one of the "can this sweater be saved projects"). I like reusing yarn. Sometimes I'd rather do that than knit with new yarn. I'm going to do The Braids cardigan. The one I did originally in Patons wool got attacked by moths. This Brown Sheep yarn seems to have been mothproofed so it's a good choice. I've got lots of the stuff that hasn't been used either. I think it's been 25-30 years since I got this yarn in exchange for some pattern knitting for Cascade Yarns. It brings back a few memories.

I was also looking through some old Knitters magazines at patterns I've wanted to do for some time. Now I am committed to doing more with handspun. So I think I will make a list of these patterns and start spinning with a project in mind.

I may be bringing some of my old archives back into Blogger. I don't know why anyone would want to read them, but I might as well give it a try.

Hip knitting

I am so tired of the idea of "hip knitting". In practice, it seems to mean knitting rather basic drop shoulder sweaters in glitzy yarns. It's great to see new knitters but honestly, isn't it time to progress a bit? Learn how to shape garments and make a better fitting sweater. Learn to do colorwork and fancy stitches. Don't be satisfied with doing the same thing over and over.

I am starting to feel the weight of unused commercial yarns. I've gotten rid of most of that stash but there is still a bit in storage. I think I will prune it back even further. I really want to focus on handspun for now and get completely away from commercial stuff. I've not been able to do a lot of spinning recently although I am carrying a spindle with me just in case. I sometimes spin a bit at the laundromat.