02.04.07
Sweater Ready
First of all, my apologies to everyone who hated me in my last post. I would have hated me too. I was totally a jerk to rub it in that I was in the balmy tropics and the rest of y’all, quite frankly, weren’t. But maybe it will lessen your hatred to know that a) that was my first trip of that type ever, and will be my only for quite some time, I would imagine, and b) the week at the hotel was an engagement present given to Matt and me by his father. Matt and I were engaged in the late summer of 2002. It took us 4.5 years to use the gift. So by the time we finally made it to the Caribbean, we had accumulated nearly a half-decade of anticipation, and we wanted to shout our excitement from the rooftops. In modern terms, that means posting a large, boastful photo to one’s blog.
We had a fantastic time, and if you wanted to see some snapshots, you could see them here, though I am not entirely sure why you would. I did not get a huge amount of knitting done, unsurprisingly, but I did knit about one-third of Green Gable and approximately one sock on the plane rides and layovers.
It’s back to regular life, though, and to look on the bright side, that means I’m no longer nearly so constrained in what I can knit. (No, I’m not even convincing myself that that’s adequate consolation for having left the 82-degree sunshine, but I’m trying.) No, really, knitting flexibility is a good thing, because the last couple weeks have brought a shockingly large stash expansion to my home. This weekend was the excellent Superbowl Sale up at Ewe’ll Love It in Nashua, New Hampshire, my all-time favorite LYS. It had been my intention to show admirable restraint at the sale, limiting myself to enough yarn for one adult sweater. However, my mom and I learned while we were there that the shop is really struggling to stay afloat, and the owner (a wonderful woman who has created a beautiful yarn store that deserves to succeed) is terribly sad about it. Well, all of a sudden buying lots of yarn seemed positively altruistic, and you can bet I rose to the occasion and did my good deed with a happy heart. (I will be mentioning this in my interview at the Pearly Gates.) I mean, I didn’t go crazy, but I definitely loosened the purse strings a bit. (And if any of you ever find yourselves within spitting distance of Nashua, I urge you to do the same.)
Those of you who hang on my every word (admit it!) will recall that this year I have resolved to knit primarily sweaters. It’s time to start carrying out this plan, because I now have five sweaters’ worth of yarn in my stash, by far an all-time high for me:
From left to right, that’s 11 balls of Rowan Wool Cotton, 6 skeins of Cascade 220, 12 balls of Rowan Silk Wool (which I’ve been coveting ever since I read Laura’s review of it), 10 balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (previously acquired for the Gatsby Girl Pullover, just barely begun), and 10 balls of DiVe Cotone Egitta (a previously acquired mercerized cotton I got at the WEBS tent sale last year). Think I can knit my way through all that yarn this year? I’m eager to try.
Those of you who hang on my every word will also recall that part of my knitting resolution was that stash could only be acquired for sweaters, and that any non-sweater items had to be knit from my existing stash. I did well at the sale by not giving into the temptation to buy single beautiful skeins for mittens and hats and such. Unfortunately, there is one category of non-sweater yarn for which, a mere one month into my year-long resolution, I have not done quite so well.
Not one month ago I was declaring on this blog that I was sick of knitting socks. I was readying my application for readmission to the Apathetic Sock Knitters Club. I thought nothing of resolving not to buy any non-sweater yarn this year, including sock yarn. Well, I don’t know what happened. Maybe it was the realization that no other project works as well on the bus. Maybe it was the realization that my feet were damn cold. Maybe it was the continuing effectiveness of Theresa’s and Carry’s longstanding subliminal campaign to break my anti-sock spirit. Whatever it was, not only have I returned to sock knitting with gusto, but I’ve branched out into non-stockinette socks. Laura, I give up. I’ll never again try to convince you that I’m still an apathetic sock knitter. You’ll have to soldier on without me. I’m sorry.
The sock yarn pictured is Regia Silk, Cherry Tree Hill Supersock (the wound ball), Mountain Colors Bearfoot (the skein lying in front), and Trekking XXL, a birthday gift from my mom along with the new Interweave Press book of some of their magazine’s most popular sock patterns from over the years.
My betrayal of Laura is even less forgivable because it coincided with her sending me a lovely package of yarn after I won her blogiversary contest. I particularly appreciate these stash additions because my hands are tied by my resolution (which, with a new sock yarn exemption, I’m going to attempt to keep) when it comes to buying small quantities of yarn. I will turn to these babies this year when I need a quick fix of a hat or similar. I’d thank her profusely, but I’m sure she stopped reading in disgust after the previous paragraph and went to take me off her Bloglines.
I’d better wrap this up and go start knitting off my newly expanded stash. Sorry this was so long and not even particularly interesting. I’ll make up for it with my next post, which will be a riveting epic about how I sort of conquered my white whale at last. A hint: you can see my white whale somewhere in this photo, which shows Matt’s band, Ten Years Too Late, displaying my sock yarn during a rehearsal (they’re good sports and they follow instructions surprisingly unquestioningly).
By the way, thank you all so much for your good wishes for Annie! She seems to be doing as well as can possibly be expected. From a recent email: “I have already accumulated ELEVEN colorful wigs, a pair of purple sparkle sunglasses with velvet polkadots, and a rubber headpiece with green snakes like Medusa! For my headshaving party/ceremony, I got a bottle of champagne and wore my new (fake) snakeskin pants.” I’m not giving us all any real credit for her good spirits, but I know that the good vibes from the blogosphere couldn’t have hurt.
SarahJanet said,
February 4, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Wow, I really could have written this post! I too resolved to make mostly sweaters this year (and shawls, I suppose), and ease off on the socks a bit. I am also attempting to only buy sweater quantities of yarn and reduce the ones and twos I have lying around. It’s a hard habit to get out of!
Not surprisingly, I love that shade of Cascade 220. Mmm, burgundy. I opted for green for my next sweater but I think whatever I make after that might have to be in that colour!
Is your white whale learning to play the tamborine?
Mintyfresh said,
February 4, 2007 at 8:49 pm
You finished Matt’s sweater!! Yay Rachel. How awesome it must feel to have it finally off your needles.
Yay for sock knitting, and nonstockinette sock knitting, which is really my favorite, though I just finished my first stockinette socks, so I might be just a sock-of-all-kinds lover.
Happy to see you back!
Shelley said,
February 4, 2007 at 9:15 pm
With regard to the yarny purchases (sweater or not)…all I gotta say is: “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!” See…in saying this, I am justifying my own yarn purchases that I really don’t need…hehehe.
Jeanne B. said,
February 4, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Being the voyeur that I am, I checked out your slideshow and I wanna go! What a BEAUTIFUL place! Your photos are stunning. They made me feel like I was there. I could almost smell the sea and the sunblock. This might sound odd, but bear with me: when I saw the photo of the blonde man making drinks in the kitchen, I flashed instantly to a summer a few years ago and for a moment I could remember exactly what that feels like—completely relaxed, skin still warm and tingly from a day spent baking in the sun, the sun setting, the coolness of the summer night settling in, and the smell of limes, Coronas (in my case), sunbaked cocoa buttered skin, and good food on the BBQ. For a moment, I forgot that it’s February and I’m pale and stuck inside because it’s 19 below zero outside. Thank you for reminding me that summer DOES return. And for inspiring me to book a vacation for real this year.
Kristin said,
February 4, 2007 at 9:59 pm
That’s unfortunate to hear about the Nashua yarn store. I’ve planned to visit some day, but not having a car makes that difficult. I think that brick and mortar yarn stores need to be real creative today to stay in business, as it’s hard to compete with the prices of online sales.
Kelly said,
February 4, 2007 at 9:59 pm
aww Rachel your pictures were fabulous!!
And waiting 4.5 years for a trip is most definatley terms to rub it in, rub it in like marinade girl!!
Your sun dresses were so dang cute!
Start pumping out sweaters :)
Debby said,
February 4, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Hi there — thanks for the update on Annie. She has been on my mind. It sounds like she has real determination and spunk and from what I’ve heard, that is the very best medicine for remission.
You are allowed one free pass back into the Apathetic Sock Knitter’s club, but it sounds like you blew it…Laura seems to be welcoming new members, so I intend to join right away! :)
matt said,
February 4, 2007 at 10:11 pm
I will be mentioning this in my interview at the Pearly Gates.
Did you have a religious conversion with my noticing?
Ashley said,
February 4, 2007 at 11:44 pm
We didn’t _really_ hate you for your vacation, you know.
And you absolutely did your moral duty by buying that yarn. It is Good Deed yarn, and therefore exempt from any stash-related qualms. Especially when–can it be?–you’ve finished Matt’s sweater!
sloth-knits said,
February 5, 2007 at 12:34 am
Hm, I was going to guess the tambourine was your white whale, but after seeing comments about Matt’s sweater I’ll have to revise that thought.
Good job on the sweater!
Sparkles said,
February 5, 2007 at 1:11 am
Oooooh, the pic of your stash aquisition is sorely tempting…
Luckily I have enough yarn for a sweater for myself and one for R, but I will probably have to break down and buy some for R’s mom. Turns out she’s a sweater person and from what I could see she didn’t have anything handknit and all were too big for her, she really deserves a beautiful sweater. :)
knittingphilistine said,
February 5, 2007 at 9:17 am
Wowzah… speaking of stash knitting, whowzah. You’ve got your work cut out for you, but I would certainly not mind having 5 sweaters knit out of those fibers and colors. Formidable challenge, commence!
Marti said,
February 5, 2007 at 9:55 am
Welcome Home!
I missed your posts. I am beginning to understand the whole sock thing. I have yet to finish a pair that is wearable but now I have the fever! I am so ready to make socks that I dont rip out.
As for sweaters, this “baby” knitter really admires anyone who knits a sweater. That is such a big project! I am afraid I would get bored before finishing.
You have some beautiful yarn in your stash. Stash resolution must be big this year with us knitters. I resolved not to buy any yarn till June….I have tons that I could use up tween now and then. Wouldnt you know I started a purse to felt out of Patons SWS and didnt have enought yarn. So I ordered some more, recieved it 2 weeks ago and havent picked up the project yet. To busy trying to knit socks. Sigh…I did clean out all the red heart worsted stuff I had picked up at yard sales etc…a whole paper grocery sack full so I feel a bit better.
MiniLaura said,
February 5, 2007 at 10:19 am
*sigh* why do I even bother?
For a minute there I thought that the red Cascade was the same shade that I bought recently. Then I confused “Cambridge Jacket” with “Nantucket Jacket” and thought you were trying to get on my good side by knitting the EXACT same sweater that I was planning on knitting. (But I eventually realized that it wasn’t the same shade and a completely different sweater, so the cockles of my heart got cold again.)
I have to admit that I actually want some wool socks this winter. (It’s amazing how cold the first floor of our house is when the other two floors are a pleasant temperature.) However, I’m trying to find ways to have socks knit for me rather than having to knit them myself.
Theresa said,
February 5, 2007 at 11:09 am
I hate to say “I told you so . . .” but I don’t really. Told you so! Love the sweater yarn, but you know it just warms me to the cockles of my heart to see you making non st st socks. Yum, yum, yum!
Knitography said,
February 5, 2007 at 1:07 pm
What an excellent resolution! You know, sometimes when you knit a sweater you have enough left over for a hat or even a pair of gloves. It’s rare, but it does happen. I bought that same colour of Cascade 220, and it is fantastic. It’s knitting up into a lovely cardigan for my boyfriend.
nova said,
February 5, 2007 at 1:32 pm
It is perfectly acceptable to purchase yarn to help a fabulous yarn shop stay afloat, especially when the proprietor is nice…or even if they aren’t! I can’t wait to see all the sweater fabulousness you knit up, as well as all the socks!
And as for the vacation in sunny and warm climes, you totally deserved it!
stacey said,
February 5, 2007 at 2:14 pm
rub it in – after waiting that long, you deserve it!
I worked in Merrimack for years, but never made it down there. I’ll have to make sure I do soon!
looks like you have plenty of stash to pick from now. Regia silk is great stuff!!
Elinor said,
February 5, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Sweater knitting sounds great. And you have some beautiful yarns for it too!!
Sue Hird said,
February 5, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Don’t consider it gloating, or rubbing it in. Look at it more as a lifestyle programme type commentary. People get paid BIG bucks to work on travel shows showcasing marvelous holiday destinations, so you have just done it for nothing, and that is not a bad thing…….hope that eases your conscience.
Loving the yarns, AND the fact that you have fallen off the wagon so soon……makes you much more normal, hehe.
Congrats on finishing your White Whale.
Emily said,
February 5, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Cold feet will get you every time.
Although the sweater yarn presents a serious distraction.
JayJay said,
February 6, 2007 at 11:57 am
Wow, all the yarn look fabulous! Consider this definite stash-envy. I don’t think you should feel at all bad about enjoying your warm vacation. You can Matt have earned a lovely vacation. Think of all the hard hours you spent blogging and running The Amazing Lace!
Allison said,
February 6, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Non-stockinette socks??? Crazy! I’m glad you decided to make a sock yarn exemption, since now I can follow your non-apathetic sock knitting and just copy you in sock pattern choices.
Lovely sweater yarns. I can’t wait to hear about the Silk Wool and how it is to knit with. Fantastic, one assumes.
nichole said,
February 6, 2007 at 6:32 pm
What do you think of that sock book from Interweave? I’m running out of free sock patterns I like….
Sonya said,
February 6, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Interesting that people will be photographed with sock yarn with question. I may have to try some local experiments. I just did a pair of socks in Bearfoot. Way yummy. Is that a new sock book?
earthchick said,
February 6, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Mmmmm – all that sweater yarn looks YUMMY! And BRAVA on finishing Matt’s sweater. It looks fabulous.
Welcome home!
Heather G. said,
February 7, 2007 at 1:06 pm
That’s the exact shade of Silk Wool over which I have been drooling lately! I vote for that one first!
Karin said,
February 7, 2007 at 6:58 pm
I’m glad you had such a good time on your vacation ^_^. I’m equally glad to see you’re back and roaring to go again lol. I wish you luck with your newly acquired stash, as well as with your resolve to knit from your stash
Rain said,
February 9, 2007 at 9:32 am
It looks and sounds like you had a fabulous time. The photos are a great escape from the dull grey skies and snow we have here.
Great new additions to the stash.
Knittypants said,
February 9, 2007 at 1:24 pm
It looks like you had so much fun! And the yarn shopping looks like it was a blast, too. I love the color of the Cascade and you will love knitting up the wool-cotton. That stuff feels so good while knitting.
Emilie said,
February 11, 2007 at 7:47 pm
Your vacation looks like such fun! I didn’t realize you went with some other people. Nice. Loved all the pics- I felt like I was there. And yes, you looked fab in that white halter on the beach! Beautiful!
Lickety Knit » Revenge Is Sweet said,
March 1, 2007 at 11:18 pm
[...] few weeks ago Laura responded to a post in which I confessed my love of sock knitting and admitted my betrayal of her as co-founder of the [...]