End of January, 50 degrees, and I’m going to do some yard work today! I know the weather is weird, but I do love how it changes all the time. Last week snow (and I got to give my new snow shovel a tryout – pretty exciting!), today mild, then into the deep freeze and we get to wear all our wonderful sweaters some more. But I’m starting to think about knitting for spring and what I would like to have to wear when it begins warming up. One thing I constantly need and don’t have is a lightweight, but not flimsy and useless, cardigan/jacket that is washable and can be thrown on over anything for a short walk with Purl, or a run to the drug store or whatever, without thinking about whether it will go with what I have on and will it cover my tummy. What I want is something that will always answer yes to both those questions. But I don’t want it to be too boring to make. I think this may be the one:
I like Libby Johnson’s patterns; they’re interesting to knit and very wearable. I will want more ease than she’s showing above but other than that, I think it’s just what I want to make and wear, in cotton or a summer blend, not wool.
Meanwhile, I’m plugging away on my blanket and socks for my ex, and I finished this cute little baby tunic in a flash, in a bright color of washable Eco-Tweed:
The design is by OGE Knitwear, which has some of the best baby designs I’ve seen. Juniper is pretty easy and can be unisex, depending on the style and color you choose:
And I made this little thing:
Now, I have a confession to make. Deb Cech thought that a little neck scarf like this would make a good beginner project, and I pooh-poohed the idea. As I recall, I said, quote “Who would make that?” unquote. I’m old enough to remember when I envied the cool high-school girls on American Bandstand who wore little chiffon neck thingies like this, with their bobby socks, saddle shoes, and immense skirts with frothy slips underneath. Now (sorry, Deb!) they’ve started popping up all over the place on Ravelry, and when Manos del Uruguay put up this free pattern, I succumbed. They designed it for their lace-weight mohair Cabrito, and who doesn’t have a ball of laceweight mohair in their stash? This is a great way to use it. I, because I’m Queen of the yarn store, used Cashmere Dreams, a cashmere and silk blend from Lang which is so soft, you can hardly believe it. It took a little less than half a ball, which means you could get 2 luxurious accessories and give one away to a cherished friend. It happens to be quite practical because it will definitely keep your neck warm, and also because, if you have a scratchy sweater or shirt that irritates your neck, this little piece of heaven will protect you from any hint of scratch.
Our classes are well under way now, but there are still spaces in most of my hat classes so if you’ve been itching to try something new, by all means, let me know. Our beginner crochet class was really fun; thanks to everyone who came. And don’t forget Deb’s Valentine’s Headband class on February 11!
