Monday 24 Nov 2008

Crazy Talk

Looks like Margene has revealed the insane plan that she, Cheryl, and I hatched at SnB last week.

The three of us have committed to each knit 12 sweaters in 2009.  Madness.

Although I’m the most likely to fall short of the goal, I need the motivation to work my way through my stash of sweater quantity yarns.  My plans aren’t grand; I’m sure I’ll end up with more than a few hastily assembled, sleeveless tank tops at the end of the year.  But, I’m excited to see what I can produce.

I haven’t settled on many patterns yet.  Although, I’m fairly certain I’ll knit another Gathered Pulli (I love how that sweater fits) and I’ll probably end up with a hoodless CPH by year’s end.   Plus, there are a couple of patterns in the Winter issue of IK that are screaming my name.

A quick peak into the depths of the stash reveals these yarns crying out to see the light of day:

10 skeins Ultra Alpaca Light (Ropes and Picots Cardi?)

1 huge hank Mountain Colors Weaver’s Wool overdyed by me

8 skeins Silke Tweed (Freya?)

8 more skeins Silke Tweed (Drops Tailored Cardigan?)

8 skeins Angora Tweed

10 skeins Rowan Spray (Drops Circle Jacket?)

14 skeins Jo Sharp Silkroad DK (Golden Vintage Cardi?)

10 skeins Noro Silk Garden

10 skeins Noro Kureyon (Westland?)

8 skeins Rowan Felted Tweed  (Salina)

8 skeins Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool

6 skeins Shepherd’s Wool in Berries (Francis Revisited?)

10 skeins Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK

10 more skeins Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK

8 skeins worsted weight Beaverslide

7 skeins Newport Cotton (for a long-sleeved, long-body Liesl)

6 skeins Cotton Ease (Lutea Lace Shell?)

6 more skeins Cotton Ease

10 skeins Classic Elite Waterspun

10 skeins Rowan Summer Tweed (Chamomile)

I could go on (and on), but I think you get the picture.  If I fail to complete the goal, it won’t be for lack of yarn.

While delusions of sweater grandeur dance in my head, I’m busying myself with finishing up my NaKniSweMo sweater and a couple of small holiday projects.

A Baroness Beret:

IMG_5254

and a Just Enough Ruffles Scarf (which I’m knitting all in garter stitch):

IMG_5258

Don’t forget to enter my contest by leaving a comment to last week’s post before close of business on Tuesday night.

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26 comments | knitalongs, knitting, sweaters

26 Responses to “Crazy Talk”

  1. # --Deb on 24 Nov 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Mmm … that sounds like a fun challenge! Even if you don’t get through 12, think how many great sweaters you’ll have by this time next year!

  2. # Anne on 24 Nov 2008 at 9:05 pm

    I wish you guys would quit talking out loud. Especially that kind of crazy talk. The kind that makes me nod my head and say “oh yeah, I could do that too!”

  3. # Beth on 24 Nov 2008 at 9:17 pm

    So are you doing this for 2010 too? ‘Cause you totally have the yarn to keep going…

  4. # Amanda Cathleen on 24 Nov 2008 at 10:06 pm

    you have one impressive stash! I’m so jealous!

  5. # Teyani on 24 Nov 2008 at 10:42 pm

    heh heh you guys are such a hoot. 12 sweaters in 12 months. yowza.
    I’d recommend something bulky for a busy month (maybe like the hoodie I made a little while ago..
    I find myself wanting to “play too” – but wonder if the new Twist “sylvi” would count as two since it’s a coat!

  6. # Betsy on 24 Nov 2008 at 11:49 pm

    You could use the Silk Garden for Knitty’s Tilt, although it calls for 11 skeins… it’s on my list, but with a yarn sub.

  7. # Bianca on 25 Nov 2008 at 2:50 am

    Brrr… I wish you luck, knitting 12 sweaters in 2009. There were days that I managed to knit an adult sweater in a week time… but I am not that fast anymore. You do have the stash for it though.

  8. # Carole on 25 Nov 2008 at 4:43 am

    You guys are crazy.

  9. # margene on 25 Nov 2008 at 5:05 am

    Yes, it’s all about the sweaters. So much yarn so little time. Yes we can!

  10. # Jennifer on 25 Nov 2008 at 5:42 am

    OMG – I can’t even finish ONE sweater, let alone 12! I will be truly inspired by your knitting craze. Best of luck.

  11. # Alicia on 25 Nov 2008 at 7:09 am

    WOW! We’ll be here to cheer you on. You can give it your best try! (and you might even surprise yourself!)

  12. # Colleen on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:19 am

    THIS I gotta see. I’ll be watching – jealously.

  13. # Melissa A. on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:27 am

    OMG. *dies*

  14. # Donna on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:42 am

    What about Katrina Rib for some of the Jaeger DK? The pattern’s not available right now(?) but I’m sure that’s not permanent. Something from A Fine Fleece for your Beaverslide? I love this challenge…

  15. # elizabeth on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:14 am

    I may be interested, but need more info re: rules. Specifically, does finishing a sweater wip count? Do vests count? I may just be crazy enough to do this. It would be great to clear out the stash!

  16. # Erin on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:34 am

    I am actually really jealous of your sweater amounts of yarn stash. I have lots of yarn but only a few choices for sweaters which means I am always buying. Oh well. Good luck on the challenge!

  17. # Laurie on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:51 am

    Yes, crazy talk. But I can see the motivation to stashbust.

  18. # Imbrium on 25 Nov 2008 at 12:13 pm

    I really need to start buying yarn in sweater-quantities…I just never know how much that is! Instead I end up with one or two skeins and no idea what to do with them.

    I keep trying to think of something I’ve knit with a seam to show off…I’m not coming up with much!

  19. # Heather Joins The Round on 25 Nov 2008 at 12:16 pm

    That is a LOT of yarn. You’re going to be so well-dressed!

  20. # Rose on 25 Nov 2008 at 2:11 pm

    Insanity!!! :) Good luck.

  21. # Tan on 25 Nov 2008 at 5:04 pm

    Oh my. I don’t think I’ll be able to watch this insanity, let alone emulate it.

  22. # Danielle on 25 Nov 2008 at 6:17 pm

    Wow! That’s quite the sweater stash, and an awfully ambitious goal. Good luck!

  23. # Tanya on 26 Nov 2008 at 8:10 am

    an ambitious challenge as you know all the small projects you will also find to knit.
    you are so good though, look at the large numbers of skeins for lots of options. I always only buy 1-2 skeins unless ihave a specific pattern in mind.

  24. # Birdsong on 26 Nov 2008 at 4:19 pm

    It doesn’t really seem that crazy to me, in light of all you make throughout the year… I don’t know if I will join in, because I still have three large shawls in the immediate queue, as well as a Bohus kit to make myself, and I would have to put them off a whole year while charging through sweaters (though I do have the yarns and patterns ready for two vests… hmm, maybe I will do them first and see how I feel). Have a lovely holiday weekend.

  25. # MJ on 28 Nov 2008 at 1:12 am

    Ooh, what a grand idea! I wouldn’t be surprised if other people tried the same thing. This has KAL written all over it.

    And what a great stash list. I can already think of all these projects on Ravelry that would match your yarn…

  26. # Wanda on 29 Nov 2008 at 3:44 pm

    Yep, this is a great idea. I’ve been on a yarn acquisition purchasing phase and it would be good idea to attempt a plan at using much of it.