Once Upon A Time . . .
We’ll just begin there.
Once upon a time . . . many years ago . . . I bought some lovely yarn. Lovely color. Beautiful feel. Enough for a sweater. And then . . . it just sat there, in my stash. I’d get it out and consider it once in a while. But I couldn’t decide what I wanted it to be.
Recently, I decided it wanted to be a cardigan. This one. I grabbed two of the skeins, wound them up, did a swatch. The yarn was even lovelier knit up and “blocked” in my little swatch. I enthusiastically cast on for the cardigan — and started alternating rows with two skeins right away.
Such a lovely beginning.
But . . . something was bugging me.
I often worry about Running Out of Yarn when I’m knitting a project. (Because I often substitute yarn, and . . . y’know . . . that can be a problem sometimes.) (Also. I have run out of yarn before. It is Not Relaxing.) So I double-checked the amount I’d need. Where WAS that sixth skein? I asked myself as I rummaged in my stash. I “knew” I had six skeins!!!
But it turned out I only had 5 skeins.
Enough for A sweater.
But not enough for THIS sweater.
So I contacted Chris at Briar Rose (who is so wonderful and so helpful). She sent me two sort-of-similar skeins right away. But Briar Rose yarn . . . is unique. And these skeins were quite a bit darker than my original skeins. I decided to . . . do a “fade” for my cardigan. Problem solved! I noodled around about how to make this work, and I had a Plan.
But . . . something was still bugging me.
My knitting . . . didn’t quite look like my swatch. A little tighter. A little closer. I did some double-checking again. And, wouldn’t you know it? I had enthusiastically cast on for the cardigan with a size 4 needle. Unfortunately, the pattern calls for a size 6. And my swatch? Size 6.
This yarn?
It did not want to be this cardigan!
It will be some other sweater.
Eventually.
And I’m sure we’ll live happily ever after.
Eventually.
But not today!
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How about you? What are you making these days?
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Also just wanted to let you know . . . my blogging may be hit-or-miss for a week or so. I’ve got some other things I need to focus on. I’ll be around. I’m just not sure how often. (I didn’t want any of you to be concerned about my unexplained absence.) I’ll be back.
Oh yes, sometimes the Yarn has a mind of its own and when it speaks, one needs to listen. Sorry that did not work out. It will marinate some more and then come out to play again. I hope to start the 2nd Crazy Zauerball sock today (fingers crossed). Hope whatever you’ve got going goes smoothly!
Boy does that ‘ramen noodle’ pile look familiar to me! (I think it every time. And I knit with a lot of yellows…so, true ramen pile.)
I hope you have a good week or so with the stuff that needs tending.
I’m sorry that this cardigan did not work out with this yarn, but at least you found out early on. I do understand the enthusiasm for casting on, as I’ve done the same thing, only to end up disappointed and doomed down the road. I hope that lovely yarn wants to be a different sweater someday!
It’s almost always best if the yarn gets its way.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/callicarpa-cardigan
I’m going to knit this next but I haven’t gotten the yarn yet. Your post reminds me that I need to be careful in choosing that yarn because the yarn wants to be what the yarn wants to be! I hope yours tells you soon what it’s heart desires. 😀
Kudos to you for listening to yourself!
All will be revealed when the yarn is ready.
Oh bother! That has happened to me, too. The yarn is beautiful (and luckily doesn’t go bad), so I am sure you will find the right sweater for it.
Some projects just aren’t meant to be. The yarn will be there another day. You are wise to let it rest for now.
It’s good that you listened to the yarn before you went much further. It’s really a pretty green, I hope you’ll find another pattern that works better. And at least you have your gauge swatch already done!
Hope you find something for that yarn. The colorway is so great. Maybe a short-sleeved tee? It’s coming toward summer and green is such a cool, refreshing-looking color. Or maybe you will find the perfect thing Next year. Chloe
oh the comments are so good here! seems like we are all kindred spirits in believing that the yarn always knows what’s best for it … good thing to you didn’t too far before it spoke loudly! I’m slowing knitting two things that aren’t sweaters (shocking, I know) and contemplating what I might want to pick up next. No yarn is speaking loudly to me, right now 🙂