Purple Cardigan Update

I hope everyone had a wonderful week of bright sunny weather! It was such a thrill to finally open windows in our house last week and enjoy the fresh air, and drive with the top down on the car. We're back to March weather this week, windows closed and coats on, but spring-for-real can't be far away.

I'm so excited to start the pink Vogue skirt in my last post, but I promised myself that I would finish two projects first, by May 1. The beaded seashore scarf is going faster now that the bead placement on the yarnovers has become more intuitive. I'm nearly to the half-way point, and I think the scarf may turn out short, but I'll wait until blocking to decide.

My other project to finish is the purple cardigan. When I last posted about it, I asked your opinion about the odd striping/pooling, and agreed with the majority that it was best to rip back and alternate skeins. I've done that, and am now almost to the beginning of the cabled rib section that forms the waist and lower body.

What do you think of the patterns in the new issue of Knitty? I love the Que Sera cardigan, and Petrie is interesting for its vintage style. I'm looking forward to Twist Collective's new issue too. Do you know when that is due out?

In book news, I started and finished J.D. Robb's Rapture in Death. It was a great escape from having to deal with more water in the basement from all the rain. Robb's visualization of a future world, where virtual reality games can be manipulated by unscrupulous people to alter moods and behaviors to the point of inspiring suicide, is frightening, but perhaps not all that far-fetched. I'm fascinated by the computers and other high tech tools that Eve Dallas, the detective, can use to solve these types of crimes, and am looking forward to the next installment, Ceremony in Death, soon.

In the meantime, I've just started Death by Cashmere, the first book in a recent seaside knitters mystery series. The series is set on Boston's North Shore, near the historic, picturesque real-life fishing villages/art colonies of Rockport and Gloucester. Though I haven't visited there in some years, I'm hoping to go later this year, perhaps on a bike trip. Reading books in this series will make me want to visit even more.

What are you reading and knitting this weekend?

Comments

[bettyc]

Sometimes I wonder if it's just me, but I am rarely excited about any of the garments in Knitty or in Twist Collective. It's probably just me.
On the reading front, I'm finishing up Sue Grafton's U is for Undertow. I think I've read all of her mysteries.

[Sarah/scienceprincess]

I love JD Robb. I have every one. I'm also reading a book called Frozed which is a whistle-blower account of a cryogenics firm. It's not well written, but so strange and compelling that I can't stop . . .

I've never commented before, but I found your blog through sheepishannie.

The Vogue skirt is pretty, but I don't know if I could wear it. I'm working on Wendy's Argus shawl using some Noro sock yarn. I'm not fine of the yarn, but it's pretty in this pattern.

Take care.
Sarah/Scienceprincess

[Sara]

Oh, I think I would enjoy reading Death by Cashmere! I enjoyed visiting in Gloucester a couple of years ago.

On the knitting - I am finishing up an afghan...and working on a pair of socks...

Reading - I am on the 3rd book of the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. They are Young Adult books - and I really enjoyed the first one. The second one - not so much...and now this third one - well, let's just say - I'll be glad when it is finished.

Other than that all is well...

[Chris]

I enjoy the JD Robb books, too.

Your cardi's looking good!

[Sheepish Annie]

Good call on the cardi. The color play works great! I also love J.D. Robb. (Oddly, I hate Nora Roberts stuff, but that's just how it is...) It's nice escape reading!

[Sydney]

Your purple cardigan is looking good!

I like Petrie in the new Knitty for its simple style and some of the sock patterns.

[Meredith]

The purple cardigan looks great! It's striping very nicely now.

[Brigitte]

I'm so reluctant to knit anything large with variegated yarn these days... I think it's great that you would rip it back and restart! I don't know that I would have had the patience.

[Karen]

The striping on that cardigan is looking really good now!! I've never knitting alternating skeins - mostly my pooling happens on socks and I don't mind it so much. (read: I'm lazy!!) But when I make a variegated sweater, I'll remember how nicely yours is coming out and alternate skeins if I need to. :)

Right now I'm reading The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. I'm going to look for that seaside knitter mystery series at my library though!

PS: How is Rainy? I hope my emails have been coming through to you!!

[Dorothy W.]

Another rainy day or so and then spring weather should return. I'm so looking forward to this weekend! I'm wondering how many miles I can fit in on the bike without wearing myself out too much. I hope to fit some reading in too, of course! :)

[robin]

The purple cardigan looks great! I liked a few of the Knitty patterns but am really looking forward to Twist Collective. I just started a new pattern by Chic Knits/Bonne Marie Burns called Cerisara - really like it -a fairly easy lace pattern and knit from the top down.

[jodi]

The cardigan is looking great! So cozy! Bummer about all the water in the basement. Do you have a sump pump? Have you thought about putting tiles in your yard or having it regraded?

[Leah]

Death by Cashmere is a great title.

Kudos to you for ripping back! I find variegated yarns annoying for this reason, it is so hard to control the random color blocking that can happen. But your stranding solution seems to have worked out nicely. It must be fun to look at, while you knit!