Growing on Me
The Fana pullover grew by leaps and bounds over the weekend.
At first, I wasn’t sure how I managed to knit so much in so short a time, and my previous faith that knitting in pieces is just as fast as knitting in the round was somewhat shaken. Then I came to my senses and realized that the primary reason that I produced such a large amount of sweater over the weekend is that I’m probably going to run out of yarn before this is all over. Truly, nothing spices up a sweater project like impending doom. Particularly when the yarn in question is no longer being produced.
That I’ve grown increasingly fond of the sweater as it has grown larger only heightens the drama. Who could resist this tidy, stripey, cheerful fabric?
Hoping for good news, I spent at least an hour on Saturday doing various calculations in an attempt to figure out with some degree of accuracy (a) how many stitches will be in the finished sweater and (b) how many stitches I am getting from each ball of yarn. As best I can tell, I either will or will not run out of yarn before I’m finished. Betting types would be wise to place their money on “will.”
Having come to this conclusion, I went right back to knitting the sweater. I had just got to part where I set up the armhole and henley steeks, and I was too enthralled to let a little thing like math deter me.
But don’t worry. I’m not the type to work without a safety net. I’ve figured out that the yarn I’m using for this sweater, ShibuiKnits’s discontinued Izu, has in fact been replaced by another ShibuiKnits yarn called Merino Kid that is basically the same yarn but with kid mohair and merino instead of regular mohair and less distinguished wool. It may not be a perfect match, but I think it will do in a pinch, particularly if I confine it to the cuffs and collar. So I’ve ordered one more ball of white yarn, and I’ve formulated a plan that will, I hope, enable me to finish the sweater without compromising my plan for the design. Cross your fingers for me, will you?
January 7th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
That is turning into an adorable sweater. My fingers are firmly crossed!
January 7th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Fingers firmly and decidedly crossed! What is it about the potential to run out of yarn that makes the needles fly so? Whoosh! If you don’t run out, we can expect to see a new sweater in about 24hrs
Looks great by the way - a very cheery combo!
January 8th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
With a fear of running out of yarn, that is certainly one way to knit faster. as if you can outpace the yarn? I always think it’s funny when it happens to me.