Part Blue Sky, Part Mushroom

I actually think this thing is coming around:

Not to jump the gun, but my sense is this the scarf will not turn out to be overly open-knit (hallelujah).

It seems that short rows play a role in just about every knitting project you can imagine. Here, there are 4 short rows between Rows 1 and 2 and a repeat pattern of 6 full rows. Those short rows are like little wedges on the upper scarf (the outside curve part that looks a bit ruffle-y - cuz it is!).

I sense this is about half way finished (given how much yarn I have left).

I actually think the progression of colours is quite lovely. It's somehow like a cozy scarf and a miserable winter day, all at the same time.

What do you think so far? Do the colours appeal to you? Is it a weird shape, as far as you're concerned? Do tell...

Discomfort Zone

Meet Exhibit A (the partially complete Sisika Scarf using Amitola yarn by Louisa Harding):

The theory is that eventually I'm going to it's going to look like this:

So, in addition to taking on a project using nubby, variegated, untreated aka "mega natural" yarn that contains my bugbear, silk - the scarf also appears to be asymmetrical (vaguely visible in the pic above, much more visible in the pic of my partially-finished version). Why don't we just get me a spinning wheel and call it a day?

OMG, it's like I took my every fibre-fear and put it together in one project. This is the spider's nest of knitting and I'm apparently in flooding therapy.

Allow me to articulate my concerns:

• The yarn (which is knit from two skeins, simultaneously, in a double strand) appears to have different textures as it blends into different colours (see the uniformly grey part with the halo).

• Though I tried to start the skeins on the same shade (and chose similarly coloured balls, as directed, with similar colouring), somehow - you can see - it hasn't worked out. I've got charcoal blending with camel and it shows no sign of abating.

• Also, how freakin' long is it going to take to get to the pretty blue colour I was certain would make a meaningful appearance?? I want this to look like a clear sky strung with clouds. Right now it looks a bit, um, fungal.

• I'm working on a size 10US needle. Yeah, each strand of yarn appears to be approximately fingering weight but, according to what I've read, each strand knits up like DK-weight and so 2 strands, one assumes, would rightly knit on a larger needle - though 10US is a gateway to the ridiculously large sizes. Mind you, it's uncomfortable knitting above an 8US. Everything gets clunky. And this thing is so whimsical. How can I knit on indelicate needles??

• The outcome of knitting rather thin yarn on rather thick needles is that the yarn takes on an open-knit look. I LOATHE open-knit. I mean, lace-work will pass, on occasion, but I cannot stand it when you can see through stockinette. So I am working mindfully to keep it together. It appears that the only needle size I don't own (below a 10US) is a 9US. Which is unfortunate. And I'm not about to start fussing with this. Unknitting this yarn, in its double strand, would be an exercise in futility, I imagine. So it's onward and upward, with as much tension as I can bring to the stitches without compromising what I hope will be some beautiful drape.

Why I took this on in the first place:

• My Ravelry projects page looks like a study in cerise and blue. In truth, there are many shades going on in my knitting - if linked to the same general level of saturation - but they don't really seem different from one another in the photos. Blame your computer screen. That's what I do. So, to rectify this, I decided to mush all the greys, beiges and blues into one skein :-) Yeah, I know, this isn't entirely the most earth-shattering departure from my norm, but I don't want to be so far from it that I can't get with the finished item. I wear the things I like.

• All of these great first-wave knitters are on about natural yarn and working with it to produce beautifully textured results. I don't know how much I like texture, but how will I ever know if I don't try?

• I have a knack for understanding how something will drape or fall. I can tell how it's going to be, simply by touching the fabric or yarn. Often, I can also tell by looking at a photo of a finished object (not the surest technique, but if it works for bra-shopping sight unseen, it generally works for everything else). I can't explain it but, if there's one natural talent I have when it comes to knitting and sewing, it's this: I commune with the fibre or textile in question and it tells me what to do. I realize this sounds ridiculous but it's actually exquisite to experience. This yarn (along with the Amitola look book), totally spoke to me. And I go with my gut. Of course, if this thing is a wretched failure, I'll have to revisit my perspective on my skill set, but till then, I'm gonna keep on.

So, whatcha think - hideous so far or kind of nice? Do you have hope for this scarf? Does its naturalness creep you out? What are your special, secret sewing or knitting or crafting talents?

Unraveling, As it Were

I'm one of those people who uses Ravelry to good effect. When you click on my profile, you see just about everything I've ever knit with details, a fairly complete list of favourites, a well-stocked library and now, since yesterday, a catalog of yarns, with photos, indicating my stash and which things are queued up to be used with specific stash yarn. The lengths I'll go to to avoid finishing the Bettie Pullover...

If you love being organized like, to the nth degree, this site is for you.

At any rate, I've opted to take a brief break on the Gauge the Situation series (until Xmas, likely) as I will be occupied by knitting the following:

1. The Sisika, knit for me:

Photos from Designer Yarns

In the Amitola colourway 106 (far left):

Yeah, I know, I succumbed to the craziest (for me) choice ever - a totally variegated nubby wool/silk blend that looks fingering weight but actually knits up like a DK (or worsted, if you double it). I went for the most subdued of the shades - I think it's the one used in the promotion photo but there are a few others, on other swatches, that look kind of similar. It's soft, but with a vaguely hairy halo that undercuts the softness. We've got to hope it blocks nicely, which is to say much less natural-seeming than it appears to be right now.

You know, I make a lot of sweaters, but the things I wear most are the cowls, scarves and shawls (because they work on top of outerwear or with inside clothing). If this scarf works, I think it could become well-traveled in my wardrobe.

2. The Madeleine Cowl also for me - It's important to aim to make simple things that really work and are worn often (try to ignore the overkill of the beret):

I do find the yarn this pattern calls for to be fairly horrible. It's got "wool-blend chainette yarn" "accented by diamond-like silver medallions". Um, no.

So, I'll make the cowl (more like a shawl, really) in Zara Plus, colourway 448 (Taupe):

Photo from Royal Yarns Intl.

The taupe is actually much more green (like khaki) than this photo shows.

3. For M, for Xmas, another Rondeur Pullover, in the 1628 colourway of Zara DK, again, the photo makes it look more blue than the green, highly saturated shade that it actually is:

Photo from here

Please be advised that I intend to knit them one at a time, like a "sensible person". At least as of right now.

So, today's questions:

• Whatcha think of these patterns and yarns?? Have you used any of them?
• Now you can see all of my crazy yarn stash. Do you think this is excessive? Be honest.