Sometimes I feel as though my crochet bag* holds a stash of shameful secrets; it has become a sort of purgatory for unfinished projects. For a while this spring, I was fired up to complete so many things for myself. It's laughable: my goal was to finish a different sweater every month in June, July and August. Ha! When I am tending my tomatoes in the rising heat and rinsing dirty children off with the hose, do I really want to sit peacefully under a growing pile of wool or alpaca?
Now it's November. I cuddle in front of the fire or under my down comforter and soothe my frazzled mind with loop after loop, row upon row. The brown sweater below grows steadily, destined to become a fluffy cardigan in oatmeal colored wool with lacy cuffs and ruffles circling the hem.
This aubergine wrist warmer has not seen any action since March. Only a few rows from being complete, I think the prospect of having to make an identical twin became discouraging. The yarn is so fine it's nearly thread, and is spun out of the softest lambswool imaginable. As I type, I'm wearing a purple sweater that would complement them perfectly and my fingers are chilly. Perhaps this deserves a fresh look. After all, it's always nice to have a small project that can fit in my purse for stolen moments out and about....
And finally, the Kristi Cardigan. Using a gorgeous blend of alpaca and silk in a favorite shade of shamrock green, it's just a few rows from being complete. The pattern is lovely, but a few weeks ago I discovered I had been following the instructions for the textured post-spike stitch incorrectly. Could I live with it? It fits without any ease, and I worry that it will be too tight to be comfortable. Do I want to spend so much money on yarn to end up with an overly snug sweater I only wear on 'skinny' days? And how often would I wear a short sleeved sweater in this climate anyway?
Alas, it is destined to be unraveled. I want a perfect finished object or none at all. (Selfishly, this is perhaps most important to me because the final result is meant to be mine.) Oh well. As I once read on SouleMama, the benefit of unraveled work is more crochet. More soothing loops and rows.
This gorgeous yarn with the lustrous sheen and soft drape will become a new project, which I already spend inordinate amounts of time envisioning. Something special, of my very own design. And perfect for Spring.
In the meantime, I'll attend to the warm wool cardigan, and reconsider my chilly fingers.
* Isn't that bag gorgeous? It's beautifully made by my mother-in-law, who is an incredible seamstress. Inside are all sorts of thoughtful details, like plenty of pockets for needles, scissors and crochet hooks. It makes me happy every time I look at it.
Yay, a new blog post at last! This one - just like all the others - is beautifully written in your sweet and unmistakable voice. We, your loyal readers yearn for more.
Posted by: EDub | November 17, 2011 at 02:38 PM