When I first started doing these Queue Check posts a couple of years ago, it was at least partly to try to get myself to focus, but in the earlier posts I was still ping-ponging around between projects, with new ideas about what to cast on every month. Lately, I’ve been so disciplined and, well let’s face it, so slooow that the posts have been more WIP status than queue planning. Honestly, I’ve been scared to distract myself from the sweaters at hand because I want them so badly. But after this week of Winter ’16 Wardrobe Planning posts, I feel like I can safely start projecting into the future again.
DECEMBER PLANS: I swore to myself I would have my striped sweater finished before it came around to Queue Check again. I was convinced I’d be finishing it last weekend, but I wound up (happily) with houseguests, so that didn’t happen. But after the Oct-Nov slow spell while I had so much else going on, I’ve been making headway on the sleeves lately. It’s amazing how quickly things can go when you actually work on them! So I’m hoping ol’ stripey will be done by the end of this weekend, and the next time you see it will be a FO post. (That’s Shibui Pebble, and an improvised top-down raglan.)
After that, all attention and energy will be in seeing how quickly I can move my Channel Cardigan along (yarn is Clever Camel, undyed). Even though the first sleeve went very quickly, I know this sweater is a lot of knitting — the collar alone with take some serious time. But I want to see how far I can get with it before Christmas, because …
Then I have a road trip, and I’m thinking of seeing if I can knit a Carrowkeel within the space of that trip. I’m pondering using Arranmore in Cronan but haven’t seen the color in person yet, so can’t be sure.
And then it’s a question of next priorities heading into January. These three of the six sweaters I proposed on Monday are what’s elbowing their way to the front of my brain:
ABOVE LEFT: I am really stuck on this idea of a big cardigan-coat. I’m haunted by Jenny Gordy’s, and also obsessing over this Lauren Manoogian number. I’m considering the possibility of using my Sawkill Farm trove for it, held double, and will swatch soon and see what I think about that. It could actually be a really quick project at bulky gauge, and extremely useful.
ABOVE MIDDLE: I’ve never been anything but serious about St. Brendan, but last night I went so far as to order the yarn.
ABOVE RIGHT: is the simple pullover I’m needing and dreaming of, and there’s nothing I want more than to have Junegrass on my needles. But as I said Monday (and so many of you have said in the meantime!) I can solve the pullover problem more quickly by sewing a Linden or two. So that’s high priority and this Junegrass pullover will likely be in line right behind St. Brendan. And then I also eventually want the same sweater in a nice rich camel.
This week has been amazing for me in terms of really getting my head around what’s in my closet, how to wear it, and what I need and want to do next. In fact, it’s opened my eyes to the fact that I have what I’ve always wanted: a small collection of highly combinable pieces. (I.e., Garanimals for grown-ups.) So my challenge now is to keep adding very thoughtfully, keeping it reined in while still indulging in and enjoying the process of making clothes and augmenting a wardrobe.
In addition to the above adjustments/additions to my knitting queue, here are the other to-do’s that came out of it all—
SEW:
– nice “sweatshirt” or two
– denim shirt?? or light-blue shirting (or buy?)
– black/ivory striped sleeveless tee
– white underlayer top of some kind
FIX:
– re-sew buttons on grey vest
– block black sleeveless turtleneck out a bit larger
– mend the mended jeans
– mend light-blue sleeveless chambray top
BUY:
– new jeans
– black silk band-collar top?
– tan/cognac shoes, clogs or ankle boots
Also: Do another clean-out of the things that aren’t getting worn and find them happy new homes.
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PREVIOUSLY in Queue Check: October 2016
I know I keep bringing it up but it’s on my needles and haunting me! I wanted my fafkal sweater to be cardigan-coat-cocoon length but it’s just so much, I think I need a pattern. I would greatly look forward to your foray into this.
What yarn did you order for St Brendan?? you’re finally doing your dark colorwork yoke!
(https://fringeassociation.com/2015/12/08/new-favorites-dark-yoke-sweaters/)
fwiw I would greatly appreciate if you including your sewing projects in your queue check posts!!! I like it!!!
My St. Brendan will be identical to the sample. I had contemplated switching the placement of the tan and grey, but then I saw the hat version which was done that way and decided it’s best exactly as it is!
I recently finished Jared Flood’s Timberline cardigan and the entire time I knitted, I kept anticipating (dreading) how hard and time consuming that button band and shawl collar was going to be. Once I got to it, it wasn’t as hard or time consuming as I expected and I bet you will find the same to be true of your Channel cardigan (unless you are making personalized modifications :-) ).
Even a plain 1″ 1×1 vertical button band can take me a week to knit (as opposed to an hour or two for a picked-up band), but Channel’s collar is half-brioche knitted on 4s — and a lot of it. Normally you get the body and sleeves of something done and can get excited that you’re practically finished, but with this one I’m trying to be ver mindful that the collar is more like a third sleeve in terms of the amount of knitting involved.
I have yet to do seed or moss stitch and liked the look of this sweater coat
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/990-27-lang-yarns-malou
Also-is there a trick to knitting both sleeves at the same time? I’ve never tried it.
It depends on how you’re doing them. In this case, I’m knitting them flat and the stripes are a natural place to jump back and forth between the two sleeves, since you have to break the yarn anyway. It’s nice to do them at the same time if you can so they’re done together — no second-sleeve syndrome — but also to save on making notes or marking decreases or whatever, since you just do something on one sleeve and the almost immediately go repeat it on the other. Less to keep track of!
The shoulders on your drawing on the right makes me think of the Purl Soho pullover but using a different neckline.
Which Purl Soho pullover?
On Ravelry, it’s called Purl Soho Pullover. Sorry I’m on my phone or would link. It has those shoulders but a funnel neck. If you changed the neck and cropped it a little, I think it would be the same.
That Cronan Arranmore looks fab.
I’m really excited to see it in person. I love the Finn Valley sample knitted in the Cronan — https://fringeassociation.com/2016/08/30/new-favorites-redux-finn-valley-and-st-brendan/ — but in real life I don’t know if it will be more tan or more camel.
I’m trying to finish up all my Christmas gift knitting and then I’ll be back to my selfish knitting. My plan of the new year is to finish my Oda sweater (halfway there) and then I am longing for a Bobble Pullover (inspired by Misha and Puff) that I will have to write up my own pattern for (eek!), Julie Hoover’s Cline, Junegrass Pullover, our Griffin Sweater by Brystol Ivy AND I have big plans to stock my sock drawer full of hand knit socks! I’m sure I’ll through in a Lopi sweater too.
(Please ignore all my spelling errors! Looks like I can’t edit my comment.)
Nice list! And knowing you, it’ll take you about 3 months to do all of them! Do you know the Purl Soho bobble sweater? I think of it as the grown-up Misha and Puff: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/01/16/bobble-yoke-sweater-now-sized-for-kids-and-women-too/
I want to try on that Griffin.
Do you receive Jocelyn Tunney’s O-Wool posts? She featured a sweater this morning that looks right up your alley – I can see it on your Queue Check now! https://o-wool.com/collections/patterns-sweaters/products/t-shawl
I’m a stickler for things that sit properly around my neck and shoulders and don’t slide around, so I veer away from anything that’s drop-shoulder or no-shoulder like that. Even if I like the look of something, I know I’ll hate wearing it.
I recently knit the saddle-shoulder men’s pullover (a lovely Churchmouse pattern) and gave it a mock-turtleneck instead of the crew. It reminds me of the beautiful turtleneck above -Carrowkeel- but it really only took a couple of weeks. FYI.
Love your thoughtful wardrobe planning! It inspires me.
Oh, thank you for reminding me of that pattern! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saddle-shoulder-mens-pullover That would be a great starting point for mimicking that Everlane pullover I linked the other day.
But have you seen the CABLED version of that Lauren Manoogian coat?! http://www.garmentory.com/sale/lauren-manoogian/tops-sweaters/104871-lauren-manoogian-patchwork-cable-coat
I’m all heart eyes & swooning, and thinking of merging some of its features with my plans (since Spring!) to knit an Exeter cardigan.
I have a similar need for warm & quick pullovers, and the Talvikki pattern has been catching my eye..l I love Heather’s version that she just posted: http://closetcasefiles.com/the-chic-sweatshirt-talvikki-sweater-by-named/
Oh god, that cabled manoogian! But I’m saving my cable-pattern patchwork efforts for Vidje.
Oh man, thanks for the reminder of that one!
I’m just gonna say that sometimes it’s just best to make the thing you most want to make. Maybe that Junegrass should jump the queue.
I am deep in to St Brendan’s at the moment. I’m using Brooklyn Tweed Shelter and Loft knit together and the gauge is perfect. It so gorgeous, my 14 year old daughter has claimed it to take away to school next year. I must thank you for your posts. My greatest source of knitting inspiration.
Did you see this gorgeous version of St. Brendan on ravelry?
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/halfcrystalline/st-brendan
Karen, I don’t know if you’re familiar with Everlane, but they tick some of the boxes for you in terms of sustainability and transparency, and they make KILLER basics, including some beautiful silk shirts that may appeal to you. They’re my go-to when it comes to investing in a long-term piece that I can’t make myself (when they have international shipping deals, that is). I can vouch for their silk. It’s lovely.
I also second the urge for an oversized cardigan – I have a thrifted one from a classic Aussie 80’s brand that I wear so much it’s embarrassing – it goes from coat to sweater to robe to blanket and back again without batting an eyelid. My only suggestion is to knit it in something super hard-wearing, a classic workhorse-type yarn. There’s a lot of real estate to go over with the sweater shaver if you choose something pilly, and if you’re anything like me, it will see a LOT of wear.
Thanks for another inspiring post – my knitting mojo is low right now, and your posts always help to spark it up again. Cheers! xx
Have you seen the Tiramisu pattern by Lori Versaci? I made this one about a year ago (didn’t get around to seaming it all up until this past September, but whatever) and I LOVE it. It’s a great oversize cozy cardigan with a wide button band, roomy pockets and sturdy construction. The stitch pattern is enough to be entertaining without being annoying or overwhelming the garment. It fits REALLY well in the shoulders and sleeves (something that makes a huge difference to me). The button band is also knit with the fronts so no picking up stitches. Anyhoo, just a suggestion because I really adore this cardigan and it gets a lot of use!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tiramisu
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