A MODEST PROPOSAL

Would there be interest in a knitalong of Jennifer Steingass’ Hinterland sweater during February? The sweater is pictured at the link, and it is written for a gauge of 22 stitches over 4 inches using fingering or sport weight yarn. I swatched in the round using Zauberball Crazy for the pattern stitches, and three different fingering weight yarns as the background—Wool Local (coming soon), Studio Donegal Darnie, and Ultra Wool Fine. Fresh off the needles, Wool Local was my favorite, but I was concerned about the airiness of the fabric. Upon blocking, I discovered that the yarn blooms a bit. My swatching also revealed that when using 12” needles for the sleeves, I’ll need to be mindful not to inadvertently knit into the stitch below, which I did several times. (This is less an issue with longer needles for me.) And my gauge was off a bit—23 stitches over 4” rather than 22, but as I was debating which size would provide the desired ease, so I’ll knit the larger of the two, and at a slightly smaller gauge, it should be just about what I wanted.

If you’re interested, please let me know, and I will schedule a knitalong group. This sweater captured my fancy in a big way, but I understand that committing to a fingering weight colorwork project may or may not be of broad interest!

…to learn (and do)

...to anticipate

Knitterly Things’ self-striping Vesper Sock Yarn never fails to bring a smile! Eleven of the twelve pictured colorways are new to the shop. (Pure Prism is a restock.) There are a couple of holiday colors—we’d originally planned to have these on hand in mid-December, but starting Christmas socks early in the year increases the odds you’ll be able to wear them next season!

Three are also a couple of colorways that combing striping with Speckles, and if socks aren’t your jam, one of you could delight me greatly by knitting Sock Arms or Little Sock Arms!

…to inspire

Keeping track of projects appeals to my love of data—when did I start? How long did it take? How did the whole year look? I use Ravelry, because so much of the database work is already done for me, but there are many ways to record your work—if that’s your thing.

Looking back at 2019, I started 42 projects, finished 37, and frogged one. Here’s a recap of types of projects:

• 8 adult sweaters

• 2 child’s sweaters

• 7 hats

• 6 shawls/wraps

• 2.5 pairs of socks

• 4 cowls

• 1 pair of mittens

• 2 pair felted clogs

• 2 toys

• 1 scarf

• 1 blanket

• 1 pillow

Looking back at the “Make Nine” grid I created at the beginning of the year, I finished two of the projects I thought I’d do (Origami and a sweater in Malabrigo Rios or Washted (Foxtrot)); got back on track with another (Rowe); made a new hat, but not matching mitttens or a cowl; and still think two would be a good idea (plain charcoal pullover and a Churchmouse Simple Straight Skirt). I’ll probably make some more grandiose plans here in the next little while, and adhere to or diverge from the plan as 2020 wears on….

...to stitch