Nerdy Knitter

While I like to think I am Feisty all the time, I am probably far more nerdy when it comes to knitting, than I would like to admit.

While quietly celebrating our nation's independence yesterday, I had the opportunity to work on my queue.  Instead of adding to it with abandon, I actually winnowed it down from about 580 projects to 248. That may seem like quite a few, but I usually average about 40 completed projects a year.  As far as sweaters, I think my banner year saw 15 finished. The first half of this year, I have five sweaters done, with several others in various stages of completion.  So, while daunting, it is entirely possible for me to actually complete all the items in my queue in the next five years!

Ha!

Yeah, I drank the wool-aid and sniffed the wooly fumes.

In any event, yesterday I had the giddy pleasure of printing off my top ten favorite patterns for which I already have the yarn, swatching, and choosing buttons!

It may sound very boring and mundane, but it kept me gleefully occupied for hours.

The results?

Okay, I will share!

Pattern:  Water and Stone

Yarn:  Madelinetosh Sport in Thoreau

The combination of Thoreau with Water and Stone evoked a feeling of Walden, so I simply indulged and went with it.  I think it will be gorgeous, comfortable, and well worn.

Pattern:  Autumnal
Yarn:  Valley Yarns Charlemont in Purple Passion

Autumnal actually calls for sport weight yarn; however, when I swatched (in the kettle dyed Burgundy), I was delighted with the loose airy fabric it created on size US 5 needles. The gauge was 6 stitches per inch.  I originally bought the Madelinetosh sport in the Thoreau (from directly above) for this, but the semi-solid Purple Passion will be stunning!  Moreover, the yarn is a luxurious blend of merino and silk...

As always, right click on any of the images to enlarge in a new window.

Pattern:  Locke St. Cardigan
Yarn:  Miss Babs Yowza in Obsidian

The buttons are mother of pearl/abalone.  I absolutely adore the color variation, which works beautifully with the steely black/gray of the yarn.

Pattern:  Wrought Iron Cardi
Yarn:  Classic Elite Waterlily in 1927 Bramble

The yarn is a nice springy and soft aran weight.  It is a bolder yarn, so I thought these bolder buttons would pair nicely with it.  They are fun, too!

Pattern:  Crane Creek

Yarn:  Madelinetosh dk Twist in Dr. Zhivago Sky

These glass buttons with the silver foil on the underside were originally purchased with the Olafsdottir pattern (immediately below) in mind; however, I found something I liked better and decided to save them for the perfect project.  Fortunately, I did not have to wait long.  As soon as this yarn arrived, I knew I had to find a  cardigan pattern to use these glass buttons.  While somewhat apprehensive about putting glass buttons on knitting, I decided life is meant to be lived.  I intend to enjoy them, even if they become chipped or broken.  Besides, I have fifteen of them, and the design only calls for five!

Pattern:  Olafsdottir

Yarn:  Madelinetosh Vintage in Nightbloom and Celadon

This is one I may have shared before, but I just love it so, I trotted it out again.

Pattern:  Silky V-neck

Yarn:  Malabrigo Silky Merino in Blackberry

The Madelinetosh sport in Earl Grey (below) was supposed to be used for this pullover, but once I swatched the Silky Merino. There was simply no going back.  The hand is heavenly.  Merino and silk, next to the skin, need I say more?

Pattern:  Monami
Yarn:  Madelinetosh Sport in Earl Grey

More glass buttons!  One is already slightly chipped, too.  However, I could not find a more suitable match for the chameleon that is Earl Grey.  I love the colors in this yarn.  I love the colors of this yarn, but they definitely have a personality all their own.  No other yarn have I previously paired with so many different designs.  It was not until I turned him to the reverse stockinette side, did it dawn on me what he wanted to be.  In an email to a couple of dear friends, I jokingly referred to Earl Grey as the Jim Morrison (of The Doors fame) of yarns, he prefers to turn his back on the public to perform.

Pattern:  Dark and Stormy
Yarn:  Madelinetosh Vintage in Fig

This pattern is one of my favorites.  It has been at the top of my list for a while now, I do not know why I have not already knit it up and worn the heck out of it.  It was the button thing, I am sure.  This is another one with which I have paired half a dozen different buttons; however, this time, I think I nailed it.  These are dome shaped plastic buttons from the 1960's.  I bought several from a vintage dealer in different colors: brown, raspberry, and olive.  They are fantastic!  Perhaps, this should move to the top of the queue?

Pattern:  Edgewater

Yarn:  Madelinetosh Vintage in Lowland

Now, I know I have posted this button/swatch combination before, but I cannot get over how wonderfully they work together.  Yum!

Pattern:  Basic Scoopneck Sweater

Yarn:  Valley Yarns Charlemont Kettle Dye in Burgundy

The Charlemont is the first Valley Yarns I have bought.  I am really surprised at how very nice the yarn is, especially at such an affordable price.  As previously mentioned, this is a fingering weight in merino and silk.  The colors are rich and stunning.  Because I have not done more than swatch with it, although I wash all my swatches, I am cautiously optimistic about it wear-ability.  Time will certainly tell.

One of the reasons I have been swatching, instead of knitting, is a host of designs that are underway.  Notwithstanding, I believe I have the next year of sweater-knitting all lined out.

Anyone have any favorites from my top 10 list?

I know there are 11, it was as close to 10, as I could get.  Do you blame me?

Happy Knitting!