A couple of weeks ago, I started the largest knitting project that I have attempted thus far. I also joined my first KAL (knit along). They are related, but I’ll get to that.
I’ve been thinking about how many of my hand-knit sweaters spend so much time sitting in the closest. Sometimes they don’t fit right, styles change, they are too short, or I’m too hot – and I end up not wearing them as much or as long as I would like. I seem to be stuck in a rut with just knitting sweaters and I’ve been thinking I should knit an afghan or pillow – something that I can use around the house and enjoy every day. In addition to that, sweaters are also so big and bulky to work on – especially when you are chasing a 1 year old around. I needed an easier to transport project.
Then, I see this post by Maria. She stared a KAL using Norah Gaughan’s Vintage Afghan pattern. (See the Ravelry link to this project here)
It totally fit the bill for what I had been thinking about doing.
1 – It’s full of cables (which you know I love)
2 -It’s pretty enough to have out around the house
3 – It’s assembled in blocks. This makes it very transportable. I can just throw a block in my purse and take it wherever.
4 – Each block is different, so even though it’s a large project, I won’t get bored. It’s like making a sampler quilt, with each block being new and different.
I happened to have some yarn leftover from a sweater that would work for the project. I made one test block to see if I liked it. The yarn is Targhee Worsted by Blue Moon Fiber Arts.
After doing the test block, I went back and forth about what colors to do. I was going to do it all grey, and then at the last minute decided to go with some boy colors. (I have knit my boys some sweaters, but if I make them an afghan, they won’t grow out of it so quickly!).
I went with orange, grey, teal, green and navy. Only when the navy came, it was purple ( see photo below). Oops. Just one of the perils of ordering online . . .
I over dyed the navy/purple, and now it looks more navy. I love each of these colors individually – now I just hope I like them knit up.
My plan is to do 1 block a month. That means it will take me 20 months to finish the project, but I’m in no hurry. It’s just fun to have a project with no deadline.
If you want to learn more about the KAL, you can also go to the thread that Maria started on Ravelry – click here. I’ve really enjoyed seeing everyone’s blocks that they are working on, so it’s really fun (and helpful) to be part of the group.
This new project has me thinking that I need a new knitting bag and I’m looking for suggestions. Does anyone have any favorites? Please leave me a comment if you have any ideas for me. Thanks!