I can’t help but spend time staring at my beautiful, sunny hand-dyed merino and silk yarn from The Uncommon Thread:
I ordered the yarn to knit the Aisance cardigan pattern with it. But, truthfully, I must admit that the more I stare at this lovely yarn, the less I feel that it wants to be an Aisance:
© Carrie Bostick Hoge
Yes, my yarn has opinions. It knows what it wants to be. Unfortunately it doesn’t speak, so part of my job is to be an interpretive artist. It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it.
I still want to knit Aisance, but maybe not with this yarn. As with most hand-dyed yarn, there is a fair bit of variation in colour both within and across skeins, so it would need to be alternated. However, it is hard for me to see how best to alternate skeins in Aisance – it is knit in one piece and the long edges of the fronts need to be very neat and sharp. Once doubt settled in, it was hard to shake. My yarn could sense my doubts and took advantage. “Find another pattern,” it said. “Find the PERFECT pattern for ME.” (I have tried, believe me, to coax my yarn into being more specific. It refuses. It wants me to work for this relationship. It wants understanding.)
I have spent more time than I care to admit sorting through cardigan patterns and looking at the yarn:
It is the most gorgeous shade of orange. It is luscious. It is happy. This yarn is special and I want to knit exactly the right thing with it. And although I am dying to knit with this fabulous stuff, RIGHT NOW, I won’t do it until I have the perfect marriage of pattern and yarn. I have knit up a lovely swatch:
I like the look and feel of the fabric at this gauge, 24×36 knit on a US4, and would be reluctant to knit at a looser gauge. I am lucky to have 2000 metres (5 skeins). My yarn and I are happy to take suggestions.
PS – This is my 200th post. Thank you to all my readers who keep this fun!
Congratulations on 200 posts!
Have you considered a Simplicity Cardigan by Lyrical Knits? I’ve knit 2 of them, and am about to knit a third. If you look at the multitude of projects, you’ll see that there have been several who have modified the pattern to suit their desires. Although written for laceweight, it does well with fingering as well. It would be a fabulous showcase for this yarn.
Thank you, Susan. I will put that cardigan in the pot with the others. I like how it drapes. I can’t help but notice, however, that many of the photos I see of the Simplicity Cardigan are modelled on very slim women; I don’t fit in that category any longer. I am wondering whether it will work as well on a more curvy body? When I have some time, I will search through the projects more carefully.
Congrats on your 200th!
I agree, Aisance is far too serious a pattern for that happy yarn. Gosh what lovely stuff it is. No wonder you keep staring at it, and I’m afraid I’d have the same difficulty deciding on a pattern. Can’t wait to see what you settle on. 🙂
Thank you, Jane! You are right: a happy yarn deserves a happy pattern.
Hey Kelly! I’m currently doing Endearment out of a similar color (Tosh 80/10/10 Fingering in Tomato), and it looks great in orange. We could be twinsies!
Ooh, I like this. Can’t wait to see yours! We could be the Kelly twins!
Hi – I love your blog and am working back through the archives. Your gauge for the yellow yarn is perfect for Audrey in Unst.
That’s a good suggestion. Audrey in Unst has been on my to-do list for years now. Hmm…..
Pingback: What to knit while dithering | Knitigating Circumstances
What about this one? http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brooklyn-bridge-cardigan
Thank you for the suggestion. What a beautiful sweater!
How about Laelia by Hanna Maciejewska? I´m swatching for that cardigan right now, and your yarn remings me of this beautiful version by sioana: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sioana/laelia
You are absolutely right. This is a lovely cardigan and looks smashing in orange! Its definitely on my list. Good luck with yours!
Pingback: Happiness is orange yarn | Knitigating Circumstances