Wednesday 28 October 2009

Decisions, Decisions....and Boatloads of Knitting

Look at this beautiful pile of Tanis Fiber Arts Aran weight, in the grape colourway:


Of course, now that I have a lovely, cuddly pile of this delicious yarn, I'm not exactly sure what I want with it. Definitely a pullover or a cardigan. Which only leaves me with, oh, a few hundred patterns, according to the Ravelry pattern search. So, I've decided to let the yarn tell me what it wants to be, via swatching. Here's the one long swatch I knitted up to see how the colours responded to different stitches:

I'm considering the Minimalist Cardigan (seed stitch), February Fitted Pullover (gull lace stitch), Garter Yoke Cardigan (garter and stockinette), Francis (seed stitch and stockinette), and Vaila (stockinette & ribbing). Which is more of a long list than a short list, to be fair.

And you know what this swatch tells me? It ALL looks great!! I was really hoping for a clear winner, but the yarn just knits up so well in all stitches, with no strange pooling. Which is great, but also makes the decision process that much more challenging. Any thoughts?

And I've been working on a lovely little confection, the Whisper Pullover. I'm modifying it quite a bit, and so far love the results. I'm ashamed to admit that this is my first time working with kidd mohair, and I have to say I love it- the garment is so lightweight and smooshy, it's like a cloud of pink cotton candy. I'm really looking forward to wearing this when it's all done.



I've also recently completed a new project, but it is a test knit, and I can't fully reveal it until the pattern goes live. So here is a little teaser shot:

 (why yes, I did think it looked a bit like I knitted with a bag of cheezies, too...)

26 comments:

Ibunnysavetroy said...

that yarn NEEDS to be Valia. I love that sweater, and that designer, so I am a little biased, but look at it! I love that color, it's the perfect amount of purple!

marisa said...

Seed stitch, HANDS DOWN! The grape would really pop as a Minimalist Cardigan! It looks a little streaky in stockinette :/

Gabrielle said...

I love the Valia sweater (it's bloomin' gorgeous) however, I agree with Marisa re the yarn looking a bit blotchy in stockinette so I'd worry about pooling/flashing?

Also (influencing me) is that I am all over the way it looks in your swatch for the February Fitted - lovely.

So that is my vote!

So far, 3 comments, 3 different responses - I wonder which way it will go?!

Aesderina said...

I think the Minimalist Cardigan or Francis will be fantastic!

Maryse said...

To me, it's the Fitted February Cardigan! Lovely yarn!

Gracie said...

Either the Feb. Cardi or the Minimalist. The lace and seed look amazing, but I think the stockinette looks a little camouflage, Plus I think the Minimalist Cardigan would could be elegant or casual, good for layers.

So... I vote Minimalist.

eliza said...

my vote goes to the minimalist! i have really been loving seed stitch/linen stitch textures in semi-solid yarns, though. i think it really brings out the lush and jewel like changes to their best.

that yarn is flippin gorgeous. i just got a sweaters worth of purple yarn, too...

Unknown said...

Good luck making a decision! I'm sorry I'm no help in that department, my "to knit" list is just as long as yours, they would all be great!

I'm so happy you like the yarn! I still think I got the better deal in our trade though! ;)

Teresa said...

They're all lovely, but I think my vote goes in for Vaila. It is indeed a beautiful colourway. I love their stuff!
ps: No, the pretty teaser photo doesn't look like cheesies. But mmm, cheesies. I think I need a trip to the grocery store....

Pam said...

They're all great patterns, but I do love that yarn in seed stitch (even though I don't love to knit seed stitch). So the minimalist would be my pick. Plus I prefer a cardigan for aran weight yarn, since it'll be quite warm.

(Garter has some of the same effect as seed stitch, so I might consider that garter yoke cardigan (which is on my own long, short list) as well.

Yummy yarn, great color!

Anonymous said...

I'm with everyone else, either the Feb Fitted Sweater or the Minimalist cardigan. I prefer the latter personally but the lace in that yarn really pops.

Erin Kate said...

That mohair sweater is gorgeous! Like a cloud.

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm, Tanis yarn in Grape! Whatever you choose, you cannot go wrong with that colour ;)

Rachel said...

I say go with the Feburary Fitted Pullover. I think it will look great !!!

Adriana said...

I vote for something with seed stitch. All the options look good but seed stitch really makes the colours pop!

juicyknits said...

I vote Minimalist. Love the seed stitch in that colour. I'm quite interested in your decision now.

Allyson said...

I just bought my yarn for the minimalist cardigan! That thing has been in my brain since I saw it in Interweave, what? TWO YEARS ago? I can't wait to love that sweater!

And I don't think you can make a wrong decision here :)

Susan said...

Either the Garter Yoke Cardigan on the Minimalist Cardigan. That yarn would really pop for either of the two patterns.

Jennifer said...

Drooool, those are the most lovely shades of purple!
I do think Vaila would look great in that yarn though.

Allison said...

That pink confection just looks lovely!
For the purple, I vote for seed stitch. Because the stretches of color are so short, you get some nice little surprising pops of color on the purls. Good luck choosing, though, because you are right that it all looks great!

Brenda said...

I love the February Fitted Pullover. Much nice IMO than the FLS. Thanks for the link

weezalana said...

Vaila, Vaila, Vaila. As soon as I clicked over to that pattern, I could hear the yarn saying, "Knit me! Knit me!"

Yes, from all the way over here. ;)

erngrn said...

i like the seed stitch the best on the swatch you made. it's a beautiful color and the mohair is amazing.

J. said...

I'll definitely put in a vote for the February Fitted Pullover, which I think would look lovely on you.

Jill said...

Weird - I haven't looked at your blog lately but your last three posts are totally things I've been contemplating. I have been really feeling the purple lately and this is such a lovely shade. My vote goes to the minimalist, too. I love Valia, but I think this yarn would look fantastic in the seed stitch.

Sandy said...

I'm sure whatever you pick will look fabulous! I'm having trouble choosing a sweater pattern too but with that lovely yarn, you're further along than me. ;)