Letters
Defeating the Dithering Doldrums
Dear Ann,
Recently I found myself without an active knitting project.
Shocking, I know!
But I’d finished my Trellis Top (except for the button selection and installation, which by law must be procrastinated for a minimum of 6 weeks/months/years), and I’m finally all done (for now) with the endless ballband dishcloth knitting. With a new Field Guide about to officially launch tomorrow, I know I will soon be falling deep into a lovely rabbit hole of delayed gratification.
But before I jump in, I really wanted to cast on something from my sadly neglected list of must-knit patterns by designers featured in our March Mayhem brackets over the past couple of years.
The Deal
During lockdown, I’ve accumulated a motley collection of yarn. For reasons I can’t remember, MDK World Headquarters had to send me a blanket border’s worth of Felted Tweed in the shade Treacle—two separate times. And I already had a fair bit of Treacle. So one of my secondary goals here is to pick a pattern that can make great use of quite a few balls of Felted Tweed in Treacle. That’s the deal. Constraints always spark creativity, right?
The Dithering
With the constraint of being able to use Rowan Felted Tweed, my choice has narrowed to two contenders.
In the Tweeds by Tif Neilan
I’ve raved about In the Tweeds before, and I’m going to keep raving until I actually knit the thing.
Pros: Toothy, textured stitch patterns that I crave. Use of several colors (hello, Felted Tweed leftovers from Field Guide No. 13 projects). Open neckline. Three-quarter sleeves. Neat edges on the cuffs. The word for this sweater is: jaunty.
Cons: In the Tweeds calls for a gauge (17 stitches over 4 inches) that may be too much of a stretch for Felted Tweed (labeled for a gauge of 22 stitches over 4 inches)—despite its talent as a gauge-shifter. This means I’ll have to do some Math Thinking, and likely I’ll have to knit a different size. Or cast aside my Felted Tweed criterion, and use a different yarn.
Con that might be a pro: Is In the Tweeds a bit too chic for my current lifestyle dedicated to not going anywhere? I’ve been wearing flowy shmattahs, exclusively, since March, to the point that I would no longer recognize the outlines of my own bodily form. Then again, maybe this autumn will be high time to wear something with a bit of style and shape, you know? I know I want this sweater in my collection of Forever Sweaters, so why not now? It would be an act of faith in the notion that someday I will get to dress up, look cute, and go somewhere.
Bouquet Sweater by Junko Okamoto
The other contender is Bouquet Sweater. I have loved it since the moment I laid eyes on it. I love that the stranding of the colorwork is partially on the outside—the knitterly equivalent of saying the quiet parts out loud. I adore the elaborate patterning that still manages to blend and blur—it looks modern.
Pros: At 20 stitches over 4 inches, it’s an easy gauge reach for Felted Tweed. Given my loose gauge in general, I might even hit it on the nose.
Cons: The shape of this sweater is so deliciously sweatshirt-y that I fear it will reinforce my cocooning ways. But I also know that a baggy sweater can be transformed into fashion by pairing it with a pencil skirt. (OK I’m weeping with laughter at the notion of wearing a pencil skirt anytime soon. But hey: it could happen.)
The Decision
I can’t decide between these beloved beloveds, so I’m going to knit them both. Why sacrifice a bit of joy?
It’s August. Humidity is high. Bugs are biting. Air conditioning is non-existent. Time to cast on some wool!
Stay tuned to see which one goes first. And also: I am putting it on the record that it is my intention to put this sweater in time out as soon as the yarn arrives for my Field Guide No. 15 cast-on. So do not judge me as a quitter when I do that. It’s a plan, and I will be executing the plan.
Given this plan, these sweaters are going to take a little time, even if I start right away. I long for long-term projects, so that is just fine.
Love,
Kay
I keep knitting sweaters even though I have been wearing the same 7 “at home” outfits (and I use that term loosely) every week, dumping them unceremoniously in the washer once a week. It’s a gesture of hope that someday I’ll actually be able to wear my knits again.
Hi Kay! I love your story of dithering!! I have a container full of yarn… imagine the conundrums I fall into every time I dare open those doors – ostensibly to reorganise it – in truth, to gaze upon the colours, textures, and possibilities!
Anyhow, I thought it interesting that one of your patterns is Bouquet Sweater – I have just discovered it this evening!
I look forward to seeing your renditions!
Happy unveiling of FG 15 🙂
Patricia
Maybe a shipping container?
SHIPPING CONTAINER… SOUNDS JUST ABOUT RIGHT FOR ME. Thank you for the idea!
You see this was my first thought and I was like yaaasss! Then I realised she probably meant a plastic crate, and felt a little guilty about the ludicrous amount of yarn I have stashed in every available inch of my bedroom :’D
Patricia, only one container of yarn? In my book that it absolutely austere!
I smiled at that. I fondly refer to the room abandoned by my daughter as “the yarn room”, though I notice my knitting wanders and colonized other rooms. But a container…Maybe I could have a goal. Thank you for the smile in these challenging times.
I’ve done the same with my son’s room!
Thank you for adding legitimacy to dithering over yarn and projects. Having just finished a large project, I am casting about for a new WIP to add to my collection. Dithering is the knitter’s Schroedinger’s cat. I have knitted all of the projects and none of the projects at the same time. I do love your two sweaters, so I have added both to my collection of possibilities.
“Dithering is the knitter’s Schroedinger’s cat.” OMG – yes.
I am soon winding up my latest project which has been both my Armageddon and my beloved companion for the last month. Soon will begin the dithering. Thank you for adding Junko’s sweater to that list!
I know what you mean about not getting dressed up . Heck I have my trip to Dallas in March clothes still in a bag with the tags on them. Unfortunately now these clothes are too small! You have me so hooked on Shtisel my knitting has come to a crawl!
I cannot wrap my mind around “pencil skirt”.
I am in the midst of “dithering” since I should complete my latest project today….so much yarn, so much time……..how much mind energy do I actually have?
I think only women named Twiggy or Calista should even know the term “pencil skirt.”
Agree wholeheartedly!
Dithering. Yes. Know it well.
I alternate between shorts and t-shirts and dresses purchased at NYC street fairs long ago these days. @kay, if helpful I will gladly swap some treacle if there is something more appropriate in my stash!
I would love to see Bouquet Sweater made into a cardigan!
STEEK IT 😀
Yes, please!! My exact thought.
I was dithering early this week, and with pencil skirts seeming so far away still, I rummaged out my Wanderlust and cast on a pair of socks. They’ll be sure to fit when I can see the world again!
Since I found the wonderful triangular shawl which starts with 4 stitches, grows on 1 side and curves in on the other, I’ve never been at a loss as to how to use up time or stash. And I experiment with different yarn colour combinations, decrease, increase and bind off stitches to keep the sides interesting and vary the stitches inside – especially different lace stitches. Enough variety to keep interest but mindless enough to knit during Masterpoece Theatre! These take me about a week each and by then I’ve made up my mind about my next project.
Rachel, I hope we get an answer from you re where you got the directions or inspiration for your on-going triangular shawl aventures! Or maybe you posted it and I didn’t see it? I know about Stephen Wests’s designs but did you find another source? Curls?
Please share this intriguing pattern. Would love to play with my stash!
Stephen West – @westknits on Instagram has loads of awesome multicoloured shawl patterns which are great stash busters. Lots of different shapes and techniques too.
And what triangular shawl might that be? Inquiring minds want to know!
Oh, I just LOVE reading your posts! I have been forcing myself to wear nicer clothes each day, even if it’s just to stay home. I was looking at all my spring sweaters in the closet the other day (not knit by me, I’m a new knitter) and thinking Imdid not wear one. Was excited last week that I had an annual exam. Even put on earrings and makeup!
Kimberly, was that STRANGE or like riding a bike? I have lots of jewelry, but have not put one piece on in so long I cannot remember the last time.
I’ve been going to work this summer, but wearing more relaxed outfits. 2020 is my year of sneakers! Come fall, I may not wear pencil skirts with my big-hug sweaters, but I will likely wear leggings, which I look on as the casual version of slim skirts:-) Happy knitting, all!
Shawls are perfect for dithering
Oh dear, now I really *need* to start one (both?) of those sweaters. My Covid 19 attention span is such that I have an amazing number of projects started. I shall now take over the family room as my project room, which will solve everything. Excuse me while I browse yarns for sweaters. I love how the colours on Bouquet remind me of lichen and old growth forests.
I hear you when it comes to buttons and their lag time (also, sleeves…..). I’ve yet to cast on my Trellis top, so I’m way behind you, if that’s even a thing. The cruel thing about summer and the pandemic is that there is no place to go with a/c if you haven’t got it–go get yourself a window unit now!!!
I always do sleeves first, and both together to avoid that issue (I also consider them gauge swatches because who’s going to notice if you’ve changed needle sizes halfway up a sleeve?). But the buttons are definitely a problem. I forced myself to do them straight away on the last cardigan I knitted, but I don’t like the buttons and need to change them, which will probably happen on the 12th of never lol.
Thank you for saying what’s on my mind!
Janet, MINE TOO! It may be time to switch to zippers (top down, bottom up of course). ; )
There have been such good clothing sales during isolation, I have stocked up, but actually wearing them right now is laughable. I just finished the last bit of my “Summer Knitting,” so now it’s time to launch into that sweater I promised my son for Christmas.
Wonderfully entertaining column. I love starting my day with a bang of good writing!
Start the Bouquet Sweater first. Why? 1.) You might actually get gauge with the Felted Tweed. (Most of your contributors would remind you to SWATCH FIRST!) 2.) This style will work with most anything you’d wear in real life — jeans, sweats, Daisy Dukes, pencil skirts, miniskirts, pajama pants, etc. 3.) We want to see which shade you pick for the second color. Will it be Pink Bliss? Zinnia? Vaseline Green?
Your wicked sense of humor, Kay, is a hoot that keeps a smile on my face all day.
How wonderful is it to wake up and think what am i going to be knitting on today. grateful and blessed. Dithering used to be my full time job.
I laughed out loud several times reading this – because I saw my life these days in it. Yesterday I dressed up for my weekly trip to the grocery store, and because it was a cool morning wore my best hand knit summer cardigan. Thanks for this post!
Haha love reading and saying that word again. I grew up hearing “ you are not leaving the house in that schmata!” Or hand me that schmata as my mother scrubbed something. Thanks for the memory Kay, And be careful after the heavy rains that you do not step in any schmutz! I love both sweaters btw and their designers. Thx to MDK for always inspiring AND entertaining.
About FT in Treacle: it multiplies itself. I swear it does. I unearthed some that my sister handed off to me a few years back. She said then “I didn’t think I had this much.” Now, several years later, I have even more than I remember her remembering she had. Almost but not quite enough for a sweater. So of course I had to order some more form The Store.
But will you also knit that divine coordinating scarf with the beautiful Boquet Sweater? We must know! This goes on my list!
I have been dithering too; and also thinking ‘why am I knitting beautiful sweaters when I’ve been wearing the same T-shirt for days on end?’. Anyway I put a poll on Facebook for my friends to vote between the two finalists. It was fun to see what people said, and Love Note beat out the North Shore sweater 14-4.
And just like that I’m also dithering. . .thinking that “In The Tweeds ” looks super fun as does the “Mood Cardigan”. . .
Both of your sweater choices have been in my queue for quite some time, so I look forward to being further inspired by your upcoming cast ons. And same on the ‘I hope to wear cute sweaters again one day’ front. I have cast on 4 sweaters during quarantine, all in various WIP stages. They languish, I languish….
I’m a new knitter. stuck on washcloths. Afraid to try. know have to have total knee replacement surgery on my right knee on August 17th. I do also crochet and do crossstitch. Want to make a sweater but will wait till after surgery.
Y E S to bouquet sweater. I will be very happy to see this.
Me, I think I may follow the recipe from the other letter this week for two squares + 2 sleeves.
And also maybe poke around for things to swatch for bouquet.
This week, we took ourselves out on a picnic, and to our local public library, and to the garden center where we considered spending a fortune on a fountain, and wore things that were not the 5 favorite t-shirts. I wore my “fashion sandals.” I kept saying “it’s me, mama, now in fashion edition”
I vote for Tweeds! Challenge yourself to a garment that stretches your mind, not schlumps on your body!
Thank you! Dithering sounds like a normal person’s problem, freeing me from those cheap amateur psych diagnoses for the problem!
In the Tweed would be a fun four season sweater in merino-cotton blend or similar. Blossom is the one for knitting now and wearing really soon. Treacle IS the color for it. Have fun with the CC choice.
One solution to the button choice problem is to make little cuff links of my buttons and their backer buttons, allowing a quick change-over, depending upon today’s mood.
PS: Blossom shouldbe a cardigan at a length appropriate for you and your wardrobe. Cardigan ios more versatile and allows the bagginess to be disguised or emphasized as needed.
Love that you used the word shmattahs in your article – seeing it spelled differently than how I spell it makes me smile – reminds me of the time my family got into a huge debate about how to spell fakakta??
Kay, I am with you! LOVE both these sweaters, too. I just need to finish knitting my Pink Moment Leaves Collection (four pieces left) so I can begin.