I promised myself I would be good. I would ignore the beautiful pile of Rowan Fine Tweed in 10 luscious shades. I would have will power. I would calmly knit away on the two long, endless (but lovely) projects currently on my needles. I would most definitely not cast on something new. I am here to tell you: I have no will power. I could no more resist casting on this project than I could my first sip of morning coffee.
I am mesmerized. Completely ensnared.
It began with the pattern, the Soumak Scarf Wrap, designed by Lisa Richardson for Rowan 54:
I saw it and coveted it. Despite trying valiently to stop buying more yarn, I put in an order for the wool. And then, the wool arrived:
This wool is Rowan Fine Tweed. I love this yarn. My third ever post on this blog, way back in October 2011, featured the 7 shades of this yarn I had just purchased to knit the Peerie Flooers Hat by Kate Davies. The post, I may add, was titled Yarngasm.
So, given the gorgeous pattern and the fabulous pile of wool, I can see in hindsight that I was seriously underestimating it’s power to ensnare me. I thought just to cast it on and knit a few rows. Once the pattern began to emerge from the needles, I got pulled in. Look at this:
Be still my heart!
Even the reverse side is wonderful:
Absolutely mesmerizing! Knitters, you have been forewarned: resistance is futile!
Gasp! It’s gorgeous! Last night, a friend gave me a skein of pima cotton and bamboo lace weight. It makes a gorgeous, simple summer shawl. I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry as I added yet another 940m of yarn to my ever-growing stash. Mind you, I AM totally tempted to cast it on immediately, just so I can have another WIP in the basket. Looks like I’m going for my PHD (projects half done) in knitting, LOL!
I think I’m going to show a modicum of restraint and treat myself to my Soumak just as soon as my Boxy and Buttony is done (10″ to go on the body!) I’m off to knit now, albeit begrudgingly.
Enjoy every second of your Soumak – I can tell just by looking at it that it will be another addictive Rowan knit!
You should definitely show some restraint (says I with no moral authority)! I never heard that definition of PhD; too funny.
Wow! That is beautiful. I love the yarn and the color combinations. I can see why you would “have” to cast on, and keep knitting. Today is National Make a Hat Day according to Lion Brand. I’m finishing up a hat to donate to The 500 Hats Project sponsored by our library. And I’m sooo close to finishing my first sweater (and it’s for me!). Had too much going on this summer to be able to concentrate on finishing that up. So now’s the time.
Hi Jos, so exciting to be finishing up your first sweater! Congratulations!
Gorgeous!
I also slipped into the snares with my Clapotis. I said no more projects until I finish the one’s I’m working on, but I just couldn’t help myself.
Some projects just demand to be cast on! I love Clapotis; good luck with yours.
That pattern is gorgeous! I need to start an interesting colorwork project because all of the stockinette I’ve been doing lately is getting boring (although I can read my textbooks while I knit in these cases.)
Hi Vi. I know just what you mean. I’ve done a lot of reading while knitting Viajante (pretty boring knitting), but adding in a new colour every few rows just keeps me riveted. Good luck with the studying!
Oh my, yarn gets delivered in a copper bowl in England. By a man in an apron and flat cap on a cart, with a horse called Dobbin, right? 🙂
Sadly, yarn gets delivered here in a padded envelope by the postal service. Once it gets in the house, however, the house elves get their hands on it and they have an affinity for copper.
I really want to make this by just dipping my hand into my huge 1 ball and leftovers stash bag. The weights would be all wonky, but it could be so amazing. Or clown barf. Hard to tell!
Ha! I doubt it would be clown barf. I do think that it looks especially good with tweedy yarns, so if you have lots of those in your stash bag, go for it!