Decisions, decisions

There is nothing like finishing some projects to keep you motivated. I'm all antsy to start something new, so I've been poking through (and updating) my Ravelry queue and favorites.

There are some fingerless mitts I've been meaning to knit since 2013 (oops), countless shawl patterns I'd love to tackle, and now I have a whole slew of amigurumi patterns to add to the mix.

There is also the sweater that I meant to knit during lockdown back in 2020.  I have since frogged it because my gauge is completely different from when I started it, but it keeps creeping into my thoughts so I know it will be next on the list.

However.  The original pattern I was working on was The Weekender, and because I will have to knit a new gauge swatch, etc., my yarn yardage will be SUPER close. Based on my last game of yarn chicken, I'm a little wary. I'm also not sure I really want a boxy sweater at the moment. So, I've been poking around for several days trying to find a pattern that will work with my yarn (Berroco Vintage) and the amount I have.

There have been several contenders. I had actually decided on Pull Me Over by Andrea Black, and started knitting my gauge swatch only to decide about one inch in that 1) I hated the fabric it was making and 2) I didn't like the Berroco with that particular pattern. It's a little fuzzy because of its acrylic content, and I would like the ribbing more defined as she has it in her sample.

So back to the drawing board, and it turns out I'm a little particular. I wanted a more open neckline (which was why I was drawn to the Weekender originally); I'd like a little shaping; I'd like it to be mostly stockinette/simple since its my first sweater; but I'd also like it to have a little SOMETHING.

It took awhile, but I finally found something that checks all the boxes: Seacoast by Joji Locatelli. Not only that, but there are half a dozen projects using the Berroco, so I was able to double check how many yards folks seemed to be using and it seems like I'll be fine with my 5.5 skeins! Yay!

Now to motivate myself to finish my swatch...

Tada!

 Y'all, the blanket is blocking. It is done!

via GIPHY

I finished knitting on January 5th, and only because I had a little headache at the end. The pattern calls for you to knit 16 sets of the 20-row repeat, and then an additional 9 rows of the pattern before doing 11 rows of garter and the bind-off. This was weird to me, because of full set of one of the rows of blocks was actually 10 rows, and the cast-on edge included the cast-on, and then 12 rows of garter. I wanted them to be even (ha), so I knit the 10 rows of the pattern repeat, and started on my garter rows--and realized after my 12 garter rows that I would not have enough yarn for the bind-off. Grr.

So I made the hard decision to insert a lifeline and pull back to row 10 of the garter. This worked pretty well, and its not super noticeable, thank heavens. I think my 2-year old nephew will be pretty satisfied.

BUT I HAVE MORE NEWS.  I finished another project!

Pierre the Penguin, from the Woobles! I asked for a kit as a Christmas present since they're pretty pricey, and was delighted to receive one.  The videos are SUPER helpful, and he even manages to look cute. Is he perfect? Heck no--I sewed his belly on off-center and under-stuffed him, but dang if I don't love him anyway. 

I have now fallen down a rabbit hole of amigurumi and other crochet projects and stitches, which is throwing a little hiccup into my decision about what to make next...