On the premise that a short blog is better than no blog, I am writing this brief entry to keep you all up to date with my knitting exploits. It has been a busy couple of weeks, what with Jean-Baptiste here from France on his exchange with George; exams coming up at school, so students needing lots of support; not forgetting my two oldest daughters both doing AS and A2 exams, too! However, knitting is a great de-stresser in the evenings and I have two really nice projects on the go at the moment. I am making great progress with the Double V Cardigan by Melissa Wehrle (published in Interweave Knits, Spring 2010). As you can see from the photos it is a summery lace rib cardigan (it will have a V neck both front and back - hence the name). The recommended American yarn is a cotton/linen/rayon mix but I am working it in Rowan Calmer, which is cotton mainly with some polyester. It feels quite stretchy which was odd at first but now I like the texture. It's soft with a very slight sheen and I think the elasticity will help the cardigan hold it's shape and show off the lace pattern. I love the colour - it's called 'Tree'.
So while this project is ticking along, I was browsing Ravelry and was seduced by Bonne Marie Burns (Chic Knits) drapey summer wrap cardigan Cerisara. So I have started work on that, too. I'm using another Rowan yarn - their new Purelife Revive which is made from recycled silk, cotton and viscose. The texture is quite slubby, which I like and the colours are flecked and slightly tweedy in appearance. The colour I'm using is called Marble and the overall effect is steely blue. I have to say that the pattern, for me, is a real challenge (the construction, not the lace). I have never knit this way before - it is not just 'top down' but every which way down, along and round! I even had to pm Bonne Marie for help on Ravelry - and she was very quick to reply with very good advice. I'm still not sure where exactly in the garment I am, but at least I think I'm doing the right thing. Hopefully it will all magically come together at the end... See what you think, so far.
It's a cardigan, Jim...but not as we know it
