Monday, March 05, 2007

The Next Big Knit

So I've been having a crisis of faith lately. Maybe it's the time of year (others are feeling it, too), but when it comes to knitting, crafting, cooking, shopping -- heck, pretty much when it comes to life -- I'm just not feeling the love. Ogee languishes in my knitting bag, about 15 rows from binding off. The spiral rib socks are close too - I have rounded the heel and knitted about 4 inches of sock number two. I have an entire stash full of beautiful yarn waiting for my inspired hands to create something with it, and yet.......I just don't care.

It can't be that I need something new, because I refuse to cater to my own consumerism like that. Besides - all that stash yarn (and stash fabric, for that matter) was new when I bought it, and it's still new, and I haven't touched a yard of it.

Maybe I need a challenge. That is, a challenge beyond simply finishing a project. I've been thinking about this possibility, and I do believe I'm onto something...

Here it is: the next Big Thing. I am not stinting on this one, but will go all the way with the Starmores, and buy their kit for the Rheingold Wrap.




I hereby declare my intention to buy the kit, knit it up, and wear it or display it proudly. I also hereby declare that I am totally penniless, and need to do some serious spending-money-saving to enable the Rheingold purchase. Thankfully, the lovely Jade and Alice do not charge for shipping from the Hebrides, where they live, so the kit will cost me a mere £95. Eeep. I figure I spend about $10 a week on coffee, so I'll only have to do without lattes for 24 weeks to buy the kit.

I'm thinking I'll buy it for my birthday in October. That's the perfect time of year to buy a knitting kit, anyway, and until then I will keep it in mind as an incentive to finish all the other stuff I'm working on or plan to start.

I do have a couple of questions to put to you all, though, with regard to the shawl.

1) It looks long enough for the model in the picture, but I'm betting my shoulders are significantly wider. Given the fact that the kit is one-size, should I worry? I suppose I could eliminate one of the vertical bands, and use the freed-up yarn to add length...but then will it be too narrow?

2) Should I opt for the Zauberflote sweater instead? It is £109, or about $190 US. Problem is, I don't normally wear sweaters with that high of a neckline. It's a bit traditional for me. On the other hand, if you are going to knit true Fair Isle, you might as well go for all the tradition you can.



Please, a little help?





12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the wrap!! Email them for the length, they must know. But I bet you don't need to change it. I wouldn't want it any narrower.

Jo said...

The sweater is pretty, but I wouldn't spend that kind of money on something I wouldn't wear. The wrap is gorgeous.

Gwen said...

Wrap, wrap, wrap.

This might send shivers down your spine, but I'd hang that bad boy up in my living room. I totally dig it.

Shan said...

I should have included the dimensions: the Rheingold Wrap is 60 cm by 142 cm, which is about 23" by 56". Not very big at all.

And Gwen, I'm right there with you - I had planned on using it as either a wall hanging or a couch throw, when not being worn.

Anonymous said...

I pick the wrap too!!If you spring for the yarn soon,you'll have it ready for the early fall! It is perfect for the wall or couch, OR, as a selling point, to wear to one of those official Christmas soirees,it will make the party much more bearable!!! It is, in essence. a perfect pre-birthday present with so many advantages!

Anonymous said...

I pick the wrap too!!If you spring for the yarn soon,you'll have it ready for the early fall! It is perfect for the wall or couch, OR, as a selling point, to wear to one of those official Christmas soirees,it will make the party much more bearable!!! It is, in essence. a perfect pre-birthday present with so many advantages!

Anonymous said...

Man, I hear you on the loss of ooomph. I have been struggling with a serious decrease in mojo for weeks now. The sudden burst of arctic weather here in the northeast has somewhat revived my flagging knitlove, but only barely. I dig the wrap, myself.

Sue H said...

I think that the wrap is the one for you. No point knitting the jacket if, as you say, it's not really you. 56" is fairly long for a normal size person like yourself; now if it was for me, I'd need at least half that again, but I'm a BIG person.......hmm, maybe THAT might be the incentive I need to lose some of this weight so that I can knit a normal size wrap. hehe

Sue H said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ames said...

I voted for the wrap, too. And, given my inability to grasp complex ideas like fashion, you may just want to do the sweater.

Emily said...

I think I'd go for the wrap - but could you just ask for a bit more wool? find out how much a third as much again would add on (gulp!) You coul always make something else with it if it didn;t need it. Depends how much more that would be, but if it means you'd wear it more...

Though I reckon 142cm is quite long enough.

thanks gfor the comment re the Cherry Tree Hill for pomotamu, BTW, 'tis lovely yarn, isn't it?

Ames said...

Did you ever decide?