I’ve been off my game since the beginning of the year. But I also told myself that 2018 was going to be a year of lots of changes and I’ve definitely been making smaller changes in my life so as not to overwhelm or scare myself. I think it’s partially why I’ve been knitting small things, I can handle just a little bit at a time and I get the satisfaction of a finished object. And to be honest, knitting sweaters just hasn’t appealed to me right now – and that’s okay! But I did see this post from Alice Caetano on Instagram asking for test knitters and I volunteered. I really like her designs and I thought it might get my sweater knitting mojo back.
Spring is coming and I love a good light weight knit that I can wear to work and throughout the summer but to be honest, I’ve slogged along on this one, NOT because of the pattern! The pattern is lovely and taught me new things but I’d work on it a bit and then put it down. I just feel like my mind is somewhere else and thinking of something else small to make. Luckily, she gave me about a 6 week time period to finish this top and I’ve finished all the complex stuff (the pleat detail around the shoulder was definitely interesting) and now I’ve just got about 6 inches of the body left in straight stockinette, no increases, before I get to 2 inches of ribbing. And as I’ve been slowly working on the body I’ve been feeling like my sweater knitting mojo is coming back and I’ve started to think about what I want to knit for spring/summer. I’m also looking to my yarn stash to really use up yarn I bought but never used to work my stash down to something a bit smaller.
I’ve got a ton of Berroco Weekend DK (now discontinued) in these three colors and I’ve figured out how I want to mix and match the colors to make these two tops for spring.
When I saw Arbus by Bristol Ivy I knew it was going to be one I wanted to cast on. Her pattern construction is always so unique and keeps me engaged. I think this will be mainly the green color with the peach as the secondary color. I haven’t decided on keeping the cropped sleeve length or just making it short sleeved. We shall see.
And I know most people thing about colorwork as a winter thing but as soon as I saw Durumi by Isabell Kraemer in the latest issue of Pom Quarterly I immediately thought well that will be bright and cheery for spring and great as a short sleeved top! So I will use the peach for the top portion, make the triangles in the dark green and use the pebble color for the remainder of the body. And it will help me use up most of my stash!
In the meantime, I’m still knitting small things. I finished 10 hats and cowls this month! I even surprised myself when I did that tally. But more on that on Friday.
Yards of Happiness 
Arbus looks like it has Brioche in it?? I LOVE your color plan! 🙂 I can’t wait to see the FOs!
No, not brioche! It’s a combination of garter stitch stripes and short rows!!
With that tally I’d say your game is still on, just for different things right now — and that’s perfectly okay. I love your Spring sweater options and can’t wait to see your color choices.
I totally agree; being a bit more open to what pleases you to knit at the moment is good. There are a lot of things to occupy our minds right now, and sometimes, little projects offer us comfort and quick satisfaction.
Wow! Arbus looks like so much fun to make. Thanks for sharing these new ideas. Just have to share that you’ve emboldened me: I’ve used a single row of a bright pink around the yoke of my latest (very neutral, multiple grays) cardigan, and I’m going to use it as the pocket lining, too. What? Me use bright colors?? LOL. As you say, little steps!
I love getting anyone to use color 🙂
Eeek 10 items in a month! I’ve yet to finish the top I started for the fringe association logalong and have instead started making my first crocheted top. (And I’m using a bright pink!).
Love that Arbus by the way…I went straight to ravelry to purchase it but it looks like I’d have to buy the entire collection…not in the budget but I’ll add it to my favourites for now ☺
I will say this about the book Arbus is in, Bristol Ivy is a knitting genius and the book is fantastic. Totally worth the buy.
I really like the first one b/c I think it’d really show off these colorways you have chosen.
I tried to test knit last year, but I found it didn’t suit me; deadlines are not my friends. But Alice does lovely work, so I can see why you signed on. I hadn’t seen Arbus before; thanks!