Sunday, June 1, 2008

Finishing the Task at Hand

Startitis. An age-old problem with knitters, I'm sure. Then again, maybe not. I'm fortunate that I don't HAVE to knit my socks to keep my feet warm and dry. I don't NEED to knit that wool sweater to stay warm (yet - with rising oil prices and an older home, it's looking like we'll be spending over $1,000 with each oil tank fill next winter - YIKES! Wool sweaters for family warmth may not be a just a fact from history).
I'm trying really hard to get through the projects that are already started before I cast-on for a new project using the stash from Maryland Sheep and Wool. It's been very hard, I'm not going to lie. The task was made even harder yesterday when I went through my whole stash, and organized it again. Seeing all the yarn brings out the pattern books, and the mind reels with all the possibilities. I think someone should study the brain at this point, and make some sort guess at all the synapses happening at the same time. It must be overloaded! I love creativity at work!
So, I finally have a somewhat FO. Here's another BSJ - knit with really old stash yarn. I need to do the shoulder seems, weave in the ends, and sew on the buttons. You see, not only did I clear out the "nice" stash (nice stash is wool, sock yarns, etc. Basically, my snob yarn), but I cleaned out the old yarn in the attic. Yes, it's mostly from Walmart, and the late 80's and early 90's. The dishcloth phase. I'm certainly not against knitting with yarn from Walmart, or really any type of fiber. To each, his/her own. I just prefer the wool. There are some tasks though, that call for other fibers than wool. Dish clothes are usually done in cotton, and I stumbled across this cone of Sugar and Creme yarn. I had already knit a dishcloth from it, and I thought, well why not try a BSJ with it? It will certainly be washable, and it was nice to knit with a worsted weight yarn again.
So behold....the cotton BSJ. I have no idea what the color is called. It's not listed on the inside of the cone. But the yardage is very ample indeed. This yarn sells for around $7.00 a cone, and makes a nice, inexpensive sweater that took a little less than 2 weeks to knit (and I frogged 30 rows at the beginning, and worked a holiday weekend)! The size of this sweater is pretty ample too - maybe a 2T - 3T? I plan on giving it to one of my nieces, but I'm not sure which one. I'll try it on them next week!

Now I'm off to finish a second sock, and then I'm allowing myself to cast on with some new STR and possibly a sweater/vest from the Maryland stash! :) Oh, the happiness of startitis!

5 comments:

Knitting Kris said...

Can I just say that I hate spell check - shoulder seems? Puh-lease!
I know it's seams! YIKES! Sorry for the gross error in spelling!

peaknits said...

I am just getting so darn close to the end of my first BSJ, a continuously resurrected project around the web, a true classic - what an odd little cloth it is for now:) I love how yours came out - I need to use heavier weight yarn so I can figure out how to make one for my 3 year old. Surely your niece - whichever one:) enjoys it!

Unknown said...

I figure startitis is OK. As long as there is progress being made. You seem pretty safe there.

Can't wait to see what you cast on!

Morticcia said...

Awesome BSJ. I love those colors, and they pool evenly don't they? I'm in the same boat as you on the startitis. It's all I can do to keep not to cast of like five different socks. Ack!

I bought the most enticing yarn at NHSW and it wants to be knit right NOW!

KnittingMoose said...

Adorable sweater, and great idea with the cotton yarn!