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Monday, March 30, 2015

On My Needles /// Why Sweaters Will Never Be Socks


 sock knitting. 
I talk about my love for sock knitting often. My very first blog post was an ode to socks and all of the reasons why they make the perfect project. I always have a pair on the needles, hibernating, ready for those times I need a back up project. Socks are my in-between-projects project. But recently, I found myself doing more mindless knitting than normal, simply due to circumstance, and my socks started to feel well, really boring. I mentioned in my post a few weeks ago that I wanted to break away from my norm and cast-on something other than socks as my in-between.

I also  sweater knitting.
I decided to cast-on Palladio in straight stockinette with my super yummy YOTH yarn (it has been staring me in the face for a year now, from my exclusive "shelf for pretty things"). Knowing I wouldn't have enough to complete the project, I decided to stripe it with a skein of Madtosh leftover from the book sample. I planned to make a bunch of modifications and in the end thought it best to re-write the pattern. Aside from a minor restart because of a silly mistake, I've been flying through this knit. In fact, I can't put it down. I work on it every opportunity I get during my spare time. And at the end of every night I try it on. I'm so happy with the way it's knitting up and I'm loving the fit and all the mods SO much.

Why sweaters will never be socks... 
There's just one small problem. This sweater, well it was supposed to be my in-between project. It was supposed to span months and months and sit quietly in a project bag while I worked on other things. It was meant to be my back up plan for those times when mindless knitting was absolutely necessary. But instead I'm flying through it and I can't stop! I've learned something though; I may love sock knitting but I love sweater knitting way more. I get really inspired working on sweaters and that excitement is why sweaters will never be able to stand in for socks when I'm in need of just anything to work on. 


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22 comments:

  1. Oh, you look so lovely! For me sweaters always win over the socks, maybe that's why I've never made a single sock in my knitting life :)

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    1. Socks are super fun but they aren't inspiring the way sweaters are. They serve a purpose -- and clearly I shouldn't monkey with that! Lol.

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  2. I'm with you. Socks, especially vanilla socks, can sit around for ages and it's just fine by me. But I get completely obsessed when I work on a sweater.

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    1. It's so true! I shouldn't have tried to substitute socks with any other project, they're just perfect when you need something waiting in the wings.

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  3. I really do love this version of your sweater!!! I think I might need a big cozy sweater soon too. xoxo It's looking SO great!! I can see why you've become obsessed! xo

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    1. Thanks Becs! I'm so glad you like it. You're the stripe expert my friend, so your stamp of approval means a lot. I can't wait to wear this!!

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  4. you look gorgeous in your almost finished sweater- I love it, it looks fantastic, like the perfect, wear-constantly sweater. I must check out that pattern....

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    1. Ah, i see what you did there! I see a future Mod Monday in the works..... ;)

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    2. I already know this is going to be a wear-everywhere sweater! It's so incredibly cozy! I don't have many knits with positive ease, I'm really loving the casual fit. I promise to share the mods once I'm done!

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  5. I am such a kindred spirit, I love sock knitting but I way love sweater knitting more!

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    1. It's hard not to be in love with sweater knitting -- it's so rewarding!

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  6. I'm definitely a sock fan too!! But they have been languishing in the basket recently... I finished one yesterday, although I have a feeling it may stay a single Pringle if I'm not careful!!

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    1. Haha! Single Pringle, lol. It's hard to feel super motivated to finish socks!

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    2. Single Pringle made me LOL too ^____^

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  7. And top it all, you can show off a sweater much more easily than a pair of socks. Not that I choose my projects for the showing off part, but I love sweaters, and planning the sweater to match certain items in my wardrobe. Sock knitting is not necessarily mindless though if you had lace or cables or a pattern of any kind. Which reminds me that I do have one pair half done in my wips, and that it will have to wait until I finish the much more urgent baby knits expected for Sunday. Love your sweater and the stripes, you will be finished in no time.

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    1. I totally agree -- I almost wrote something like that in my post. Sweaters are a more substantial addition to ones wardrobe and certainly a more visible one :) I only knit mindless socks -- always stockinette, simply because they allow me to do other things while knitting them, like read, or socialize, etc. I'm terrible at multitasking, lol.

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  8. If by "best to re-write the pattern" you mean that you will release this one, I would be very happy to knit it. The sweater is looking great!

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    1. Evelyne -- I apologize, I didn't see this comment when it came in! I have totally changed the design and written a new pattern instead. I'm nearly finished and will need testers soon! If you'd like to receive a notification when the pattern is released you can always sign up for the newsletter (see the side bar above).

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  9. I want to begin working on this "new" version of Palladio asap! Please WHEN will you release the rewritten pattern? Can I go ahead and begin from the current pattern, or should I wait for the new one? THANKS so much!

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    1. Norma I'm SO sorry -- somehow I missed this comment! I've changed everything on this pattern and it's no longer the Palladio pattern at all. I'm just finishing up my second sample for the new pattern and I will be calling for tester knitters shortly! If you would like to be a test knitter leave me a comment. If you rather just be notified when the pattern is released, I recommend signing up for my newsletter (see side bar above).

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  10. Oh I love this stripey Palladio mod!! I would totally make this one up too! The yarn looks sooooooo soft and lovely :) I've meant to try sock knitting but who has time when there's always a gorgeous sweater waiting to be knit? ^__^

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    1. Exactly right! Sweater knitting is always going to win!

      ...I've written a shiny new pattern for this stripey pullover, I'll be ear burning for testers shortly ;)

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