My fantasy knitting life

I've only been knitting for, what, a couple of months? So I haven't yet had the chance to build up much of a stash, or a backlog of unfinished projects. Despite earlier tendencies (eg greeting cards, sketch books, art supplies, books) I'm really more of a packrat (holds onto things that I've used) rather than a stasher (hordes things that I haven't yet used). I may totally eat my words but right now I'm tending more towards focusing on a few or even just one project at a time and only buying yarn for specific projects that I am going to knit in the near future. At least right now I think it's because I am a new knitter and am still just figuring things out, and will get too overwhelmed if I take on too many things at once. Plus I'm forced to multi-task so much at work it's nice to just focus on one thing until it's done. (Ok, you experienced knitters can stop laughing now.)

Mind you, I am finding finishing to be a bit of a drag so that's where a lot of overlap in projects has taken place so far. In fact, last night it was kind of good that I didn't have a chance to buy more yarn for a project I'm in the middle of because I was forced to catch up on some finishing. I can also see that working on a big project along side some quicker ones could work for me.

Where things are starting to pile up is in my fantasy knitting life.

Let's look at where I am right now first.

The Aurora set is almost done. I finally sewed up the second mitten last night and I just have to decide on the length of the scarf and complete that (I must say I can see why my mother-in-law has about six scarves basically done but still on the needles!) I also want to knit an i-cord to join the mittens so they can be threaded through a coat otherwise they will get lost in 3 seconds flat.

I also wove in the ends for the Yankees scarf and am thinking perhaps no tassles. I still have to figure out what I'm doing with the loose loops on the hat and knit one more handwarmer.

However, my 40" circulars are taken up with a new project. Yes, I am knitting a matching cardigan to go with Molly's hat! I was going to keep it a surprise, but I think I'm going to be too excited about the progress of my first "sweater" and will want to share.

Uniscarfity beckons but I am saving it for later right now as I get through the more functional (ie for a reason) knitting of right now. I'm also thinking of knitting myself up a quick hat and some handwarmers out of the rest of the white wool from the Yankees set. One of the things I'm looking forward to about knitting is making myself some hats as I can never find hats I like, not since I stupidly lost the Best Hat Ever, given to me by my husband and left in a taxi. The one hat that isn't completely dorky was very expensive and is also rather bulky. However, I think it may already be too warm for hats. I would also like to knit a matching silk garden hat and handwarmers (these are in Noro Kureyon, not Silk Garden, but are similar).

Other than that, the field is wide open and I'm not sure what I'll work on next.

Here are some of the things that have caught my eye:

From Last Minute Knitted Gifts:

Ombre Alpaca Blanket: the sample from the book is at Purl and it is TO DIE FOR. It is so soft and the colors are gorgeous. I fantasize about knitting this all the time, and tried out the stitch pattern in a Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted swatch. This is one I'm looking forward to but saving probably for next fall as it would be uncomfortable to knit in the summer once you get going. (See it here in different colors.)

Men's Zipped Raglan: my husband looks really good in brown. When we first met, he used to bug me about knitting him a sweater, even though I didn't knit! I guess he was just being funny, or it was his way of asking for attention (he had plenty of other more direct ways too). Now, I was thinking this may be my first full-sized sweater, but in reading that and other blog posts, I think I'll have to do a bit more research before deciding.

Men's Rustic Scarf: he would look really good in this too.

Lovable Toys: too cute!

There are many other projects I could see knitting from this book: Angora Baby Booties (also shown to great cuteness here), Sweater and Stocking Minis (scroll down on that link), Pashmina Cowl, Cabled Purse, Chevron Scarf etc.

By the way, I've seem some complaints about pattern errors in this book. Corrections are here. Apparently, later editions of the book have been corrected.

From One Skein:

Cupcakes: ok I'm not sure what one would do with a knitted cupcake but oh! so! cute! The cupcakes were a big factor for me in buying this book. Also very cute here, here, here and here to list but a few (that last link shows the photo from the book). Ok looking at all these cupcakes makes me think maybe I should knit one up quick real soon... (for more One Skein cupcakes try here or here for knitted cupcakes in general.)

Bathmat: this is actually a crochet project but I am strangely drawn to it

Felted Bowls: I really like these too (here is a blog post of a beautiful one). I've never felted but am curious to try this and other felted projects from the book such as the Felted Striped Tote and The Clutch You'll Never Give Up

Other projects I kind of fancy include: Stash Handbag, Knitted Puffy and Crocheted Mitt, Labyrinth Circle Rug (scroll down to see the photo from the book - I can't seem to find any photos of this project finished), Cable Footies (also shown here and here amongst others), Unisex Gloves (also shown here and here) etc.

By the way, there is even a One Skein Knit-Along Blog so you can check out different people's projects from the book there too (some of the links above are from there).

Found online

Checkmate Drop St. Pullover: this was the first pattern I found online that appealed to me, found after my first yarn purchase. The model has a bit of a weird expression on her face but I still like the top. The bag on the right here is also cute.

Fern: this was another early pattern I found, following some recommendations from Cast-On. I don't know that I would buy a sweater like this but it does look beautiful and very interesting to knit. Not too many people seem to have knitted this on line, but Wendy of Wendy Knits did - she started here and finished here (check all the posts in between for in progress shots).

Berry Tree would be a good alternate as I could give it as a gift (my niece would look adorable in it).

Rogue: also a Cast-On mention (flickr search here)

Noro Knits pattern collection: I think I found this by looking for other Silk Garden ideas

Then I hit Stash & Burn and from there found:

Vogue Knitting Winter 05/06: for some reason, many of the patterns in this particular issue appeal to me

Clapotis: kind of an online classic at this point as far as I can tell, but so pretty! (tons of photos here)

Lady Eleanor from Scarf Style: also a popular online knit but also pretty! (many absolutely gorgeous photos here)

Lizard Ridge: a lot of people are knitting this too - I love all the photos on flickr in all the different colors and I particularly love the how it looks pre-blocking ie when it is still three dimensional. I'm actually thinking of making a wall hanging out of it and leaving it three-dimensional.

(Yes, I'm getting lazy with my link research for these really popular patterns there are too many blog links to choose from!)

This entree into the world of online knitting lead to general searching and browsing:

Cookie A Sock Collection: eventually I'd like to get onto socks. I haven't looked much into patterns but these stuck out for me.

India Woven Lace Cardigan: another ribbon yarn pattern - this one is free and oooh, this one is too... not really my style but it looks gorgeous. Actually, there are quite a few free patterns here. This and this are cute too.

Urban Aran: there are many beautiful photos of this item and some blog posts here, here, and here to name but a few.

And finally, aren't these just the most adorable booties you ever did see? (Roll-Top Bootees from 50 Baby Bootees to Knit.) I love that yarn. I may use it to knit a scarf already requested by a friend. Of course, I have tons of friends to knit gifts for now...

I must say, I'm a little more reticent about knitting myself a sweater or a top as I usually like to try things on first - I have never bought clothing online aside from stuff like underwear, slippers etc. However, I read or heard a tip somewhere that you should pick a favorite top you already own and use that as a basis for measurements and sizing, and I have a few in mind that I could use.

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This entry ended up taking me three days to put together, because of all the link research! In retrospect, it was maybe too much to try and put in one entry (all those links made me dizzy!) but now I'm caught up I can post patterns as I find them and be able to more thoroughly find all the best links.

Comments

[mariannealice]

I can't believe you've only been knitting for a few months and you have managed to dream up such a big and varied list! You will be sooo busy and I can just see that stash starting to grow.....lovely to 'meet' you by the way - I'll be back to see how your real and fantasy knitting is progressing!

[Sharon]

You have excellent taste! I like a lot of things on your wishlist to knit and as you explore you will find many more. I know I always do and you just added some to my list. Now to find yarn alternatives....

[B]

I'm the same way! I have so many projects I want to knit, it's hard to decide! Then, every time I read knitblogs, I get overloaded with ideas! I wish I could just stay at home and knit instead of work :)