I finally dove into my beloved stash of Quince and Co. Lark in “Bird’s Egg” blue. It’s the most perfect blue-grey that you can imagine. I started another sweater in this yarn, but didn’t like how it was turning out when I was about 6-8 inches into it. That’s the normal stage of me highly questioning my designs.
So this is design option #2, or rather, idea #287 that made the cut for the 2nd cast on. What it is about one’s favorite yarn that puts so much pressure on a project? It can’t just be anything…it has to be something fabulous. It’s a lot of pressure. There’s some yarn that I know exactly what it should be knit into. Other yarn is so fabulous, so gorgeous, that it could be literally anything. So I sketch up a sweater, and then start saying, “Or I could do this…or I could do this…could I do both? No. Or I could go a whole ‘nother route and do this…” It is only one sweater, and it doesn’t need to be fifty sweaters in one. So that means I have to tell myself “no” a lot. I try to follow the “K.I.S.S.” rule:
Keep It Simple, Stupid.
Keeping it simple is hard. It’s hard, because it can be literally anything. Cables look good in this yarn. Textured stitches look good, color work looks good, plain soft draping looks good. How does one choose?
Buy more yarn. That’s how it’s done. It takes the pressure off.
I asked Knut last night what he thought about how this design was turning out. Was it too textured? Was it too simple? Was it too busy? He said, “You know you won’t know for another 4 inches or so. It’s too soon to tell. So don’t worry about it, and just keep knitting.” Yes, he does know me.
Linking up with Ginny’s Yarn Along. Oh, right. I need to talk about what I’m reading too. I’m about half way through Caddie Woodlawn. Still loving it.
Donna says
January 8, 2014 at 2:44 pmThat is some beautiful yarn. It will look lovely no matter how you knit it up! Enjoy 🙂
Mom says
January 8, 2014 at 2:46 pmWhatever it turns out to be, it will go nice with burgundy, or even a pale yellow. Beautiful color!
Sarah says
January 8, 2014 at 3:03 pmReally pretty- your frequent endorsement of Lark has convinced me to make it a yarn I buy and use soon! That color is beautiful., and isn’t it wonderful how one’s husband can know you so well and encourage you even in something like knitting?
EMMA says
January 8, 2014 at 3:10 pmLovely color and texture. I’d love to be able to ‘sketch up a sweater’ and then turn it into a garment!! – but that will never happen.
Very funny what your husband said!!
momentsofpeacemama says
January 8, 2014 at 3:29 pmI think buy more yarn is the best solution ever! 😉
Christine N says
January 8, 2014 at 6:02 pm“Buy more yarn.” You made me laugh. That’s really the solution to most of life’s problems, right?
wifemomknitter says
January 8, 2014 at 6:28 pmIt’s looking pretty good so far whatever it grows up to be.
Jessica Snell says
January 8, 2014 at 6:36 pmI take the pressure off by thinking, “I can always frog it and try again,” but I like the “just buy more yarn!” idea! 😀
Reinventing Mother says
January 8, 2014 at 6:58 pmI have not yet knit with Quince and Co. but have looked at the colors. That. blue is just what I want!
A Little Blue Dragonfly says
January 8, 2014 at 7:02 pmSuch a cute post! I can identify except for the fact that I don’t design and must follow a pattern. Your blog is so sweet, and I love the name! 🙂
Evelyn Hender says
January 8, 2014 at 7:31 pm*swoon* what beautiful yarn. I find it so hard knitting with yarn I love. I want to do it justice and find just the right pattern for it lol
Nicole says
January 8, 2014 at 8:07 pmI know what you mean! I have some yarn just sitting in a box until i can figure out the perfect pattern. Then, of course, i often have to restart at least once more!
Melissa Deming says
January 8, 2014 at 8:34 pmHi Gretchen,
I just wanted to pop by and thank you for the comment you left on the website: Domestic Fringe. (In case you forgot, it was about teaching your child to sit still). I have two challenging boys, and your comment was a refreshing whisper on an otherwise very discouraging thread. Thank you for the reminder to love through the challenges. Your blog and family are both lovely. Blessings! Melissa
Cathie J says
January 9, 2014 at 12:27 amBeautiful yarn and I like what I see so far in the pattern.
sustainablemum says
January 9, 2014 at 10:29 amThe yarn is lovely, you are amazing creating your own patterns. I am not sure I have the time, although I know you make time for what you want, perhaps I am just happy following lovely patterns that others have created 🙂
elizabeth says
January 9, 2014 at 3:45 pmlooks lovely to me!! and what nice yarn!!! 🙂