A Heat Wave.
Now with added Sudden Tropical Rain Downpours!
(Which might cool the temps down ever-so-slightly, but don’t do a thing to relieve that sauna-feeling.)
Anyway. I am fortunate to have air conditioning, so knitting continues. Albeit slowly.
Here’s where I am with the big, wooly, man-sweater for Tom. I’ve knit the back, and I’m close to finishing the front. It’s dull knitting, but going well.
But it’s time to shift my focus to that baby sweater I’ll need to gift sometime in July. (Frankly, I can’t remember the due-date, but I know it’s in July. And since I’m knitting a 12-month size, I’ve got a little time . . . y’know? So it’ll maybe arrive late. But not too late to be of use.)
I’ve been mulling over the color-blocking I want to do for the sweater. Color-blocking seems like an easy thing to do. But it really isn’t. Color balance is important – key, in fact – when you’re employing blocks of color. (Just scroll through the finished projects on Ravely for this little sweater to see what I mean.) Just because the colors look good together . . . placement OF those colors is what really matters.
I have a pretty good idea – in my head – of how I want the blocks to work for this sweater. But I decided to get my colored pencils out and try them out before deciding.
My “trial options” are shown in the header photo of this post. The colored pencil colors are actually very close to the yarn colors in real life. However, the lighting for photographs today is just abysmal (see Sudden Tropical Rain Downpours, above) so that doesn’t help much when you look at the photo I’ve posted. Sigh. But you can get the idea anyway.
I immediately ruled out option #2. (Because who needs focus-pulling, candy-cane sleeves??? Not the look I’m going for here.) I think any of the remaining three options could work. Option #1 is the combination I’ve had in mind since the beginning, and I think that’s my favorite of the remaining 3 combos. I think the balance is quite good, and the pink sleeve won’t pull the focus too much. (The back of the sweater will be solid pink.)
So. There you have it. Knitting through a heat wave!
How about you?
What are you working on this week?
Ooo! I also really like option #1 with those sunny stripes as well! (although option 4 is not bad either it has a bit of a nautical feel!) The AC and I are not the best of friends but this heat is just miserable but I am sure glad to have something woolly to have in my lap in the afternoon! You are making great progress on Tom’s sweater as well! All the good making is right here!
Oof this heat — I’m very much looking forward to heading home today where the temps will be in the 80’s this week and an average humidity of (check’s phone) 34%? Yes please.
I like option one the best as well – I think it’s the way yellow and blue complement each other — which is why #4 isn’t a bad option either (none are really bad, even those candy stripes, if you like them). And congratulations on your progress on Tom’s sweater.
I agree with you on option #1, it’s going to be adorable and colorful in all the right ways. I’ve been reading a lot and knitting . . . not so much. I’m very thankful for AC in the camper but I’d rather be outside.
The heat was much improved here yesterday but it was still sauna-like. Finally, this morning, that has also improved… so I happily have the door open again!
I love #1 — 3 & 4 are good, too, I completely agree about #2. It’s going to be SO CUTE!
Terrific baby sweater plan. I love to see knitters design their own works. I’m working on Kate Davies’ Paper Dolls pullover.
We’ve got the torrential rain coming here, too. I worry it’ll only make it steamier outside, but at least it’ll be good for the plants. My personal favorite of the remaining options is #4. The blue and white stripes seem nautical to me. But all of them are cute!
I like the colors you chose and think that how you arrange those colors are important (see candy-cane sleeves). Plus you’ve also got the added befit of playing with colored pencils; that sounds like fun in a heat wave!
I do agree about option 2 and think any of the other three will be fun to knit AND see on a little one. That knitting will be a nice diversion from Tom’s sweater. I’m knitting a black tank and trying to stay cool!
Lots of knitting and planning going on there! I think no matter what you decide, it will be cute, Kym. And I am sure it will be much appreciated. This weather! Those of us with AC are really lucky these days.
Option 1 is my favorite and 2 & 3 are nice too. I agree about eliminating option 2. We have these 90 degree days through the end of the week and I will be glad for some cooler and less humid weather!
Learning that the sweater back will be pink, I, too, vote for option 1. However, any of your options would be wonderful (even candy stripe sleeves!). We just had some wind blow in and a bit of rain. Tomorrow should be a little better and Friday even more so…though a rainy weekend is in store for us.
What an interesting lesson for me in color blocking. The sweater will be darling. We’ve cooled off some but have had rain so also have the sauna effect. The man sweater looks like another classic. I always think gray is so elegant.
I was 1 and 3 but then…4 too! I can’t wait to see the finished sweater. 🙂 Not much knitting happening here and yes hot…still getting some pickleball in though. Good news…it’s summer.
Oh I understand your dilemma re color choices and harmony. Although I think balance is inherent in the pattern – one sleeve and the opposite front side striped (and boy do some people go off-grid on that idea) harmony is less easy. Sometimes the most unlikely pairings/combos work. I just happened on Truly Myrtle’s podcast yesterday which illustrated that very point. She used three solid but equally strong colors in her outfit, one of them being slightly patterned with I think small black dots. No repetition, no balance that I could perceive, but I found myself drawn to it. But she’s an artist – as are you – and I am not. I think any of your choices would be a safe bet. I’m inclined to say go with your gut. Glad Tom’s sweater is making progress. I love that shade of gray! This summer is for finishing up WIPS and looking wistfully at some balls of expensive Noro begging for my attention and hoping I can settle on a pattern that I can start in September.
In case you were looking it was the Truly Myrtle podcast on her Rita slipover that was streamed about 7 days ago and turns out her whole tee was dotted not just one sleeve. There is another podcast with her pink Rita on it but is more recent – it took me awhile to figure out where my particular example was. I think her personality and coloring also enters in as to how we perceive her outfit – as it is for any of us:).
I love the colors and think #1 and #3 are my faves. Good choice making #1. This will be a fun summer cardigan to wear for a long time. I’m knitting an autumn colored striped sock, but I have a springy striped sock for my next pair. (I only knit socks.)