twitchy fingers

[ click for a larger view. ]

We had a tiny preview of (hopefully!) autumn weather this past weekend, which was a real treat! Breathing in the cool, clear air (not much of the oppressive humidity) got me thinking about fall and started my mind wandering towards the possibilities of knitting.

Granted, I haven’t touched my knitting since early this year (when I finished this sweater and made a small 40s snood), but there is something about the last days of summer that brings to mind knitting. It seems so like the perfect fall activity! Over the weekend I pulled out all my 50s pattern booklets, reprints and internet print-offs, trying to determine what project to knit up. This is perhaps the hardest part of the knitting process for me; I can be so indecisive when it comes to which design to go commit to! I ended up narrowing it down to three designs, brought them up for a vote, and decided that a cardigan would be most practical (winning out over a waist-tied cardigan and jumper-style sweater). The final design is a modified version of the “Diagonelle” style from a 1939 reprint booklet from Iva Rose (it’s this one if anyone is interested). I wanted shorter sleeves since I only wear long sleeves a few months out of the year, and it seems most practical to my current climate requirements. The one element that really sealed the deal for me on this design is the sweet collar! You all know I am a sucker for cute collars! hehe!

[ click for a larger view. ]

So, I haven’t officially started this project (and I daresay it’ll take me months and months to finish!), but I ordered some gorgeous-looking yarn (in cherry red!) from Knit Picks and am dying to get started! I admit, the long directions (spanning 1 1/2 pages!) for the cardigan look a bit intimidating (as well as keeping track of the pattern throughout to create the diagonal design throughout the body of the cardigan), but I’m determined to try something more complicated than my previous project. Here’s hoping, though, that my yarn choice was correct for this project. The booklet unfortunately only lists the yarn name (which I unsuccessfully Googled), so I had to determine by the gauge and needle size the correct weight. Keeping my fingers crossed…

Posted on August 24th, 2009 to creativity, knitting.
comment trackback email me del.icio.us stumbleupon

« inspiration week #92

style inspiration: blouses »

16 lovely thoughts to “twitchy fingers”

Sasha says:
August 24th, 2009 at 7:45 am

Courage! We believe in you

Sandy says:
August 24th, 2009 at 7:48 am

I found your blog recently and am loving it! I thought I’d post a comment as I too have started knitting a (modern) vintage knit! (I’m using a pattern from this book…
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knitting-Fashions-1940s-Patterns-History/dp/1861268629/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251114385&sr=8-9 )
Love your first knitting project can’t wait to see the next. Too many yarns and not enough hands to knit everything!!

Marmielu says:
August 24th, 2009 at 8:06 am

I was thinking of knitting yesterday! Great minds……..
I just love your photos on this post. The background for the first one is great, and the one of the needles is very interesting. Good perspective. Have you gotten your hands on Blogging for Bliss yet?
Mom

Erika says:
August 24th, 2009 at 8:37 am

It seems like so much fun to knit, this post really got me thinking about eventually learning to knit! To knit one’s own cardigans… But alas, I fear my elbows are not really up for the task. Wouldn’t hurt to ask my mom to teach me the basics though… =)
Hope you’re having a great Monday!

Sal says:
August 24th, 2009 at 9:44 am

How fun! I’ve GOT to get back into the knitting game … it’s the perfect winter activity, isn’t it?

Carlotta says:
August 24th, 2009 at 10:13 am

I’d love to knit, too, but having so little time to sew, learning to knit might end with only more frustration!
I have a sweater project for this winter, though: I bought a wonderful bright fifties cashmere that is sadly far too boxy for me, and was planning to revamp it in a ‘sort of’ forties style. With a tighter body and the slighlty puffy long sleeves I hope to make, it might end up quite like your inspiration (minus the cute collar, though)!

Dusky Ledoux says:
August 24th, 2009 at 10:18 am

I have been knitting like crazy this week! I’m knitting my mum a silk shawl for her birthday, and myself another basic hat for when winter sets in! Nothing quite as ambitious as this!
I think this will be beautiful, and your sketches are so cute!
I played a gig this weekend called ladygarden (in aid of a rape crisis centre), and they had a knitting circle! For the first time EVER, i went from knitting and sipping wine in a beer garden, to shouting my lungs out on stage in a matter of seconds! Amazing!
Good luck with the cardy lovely! Cherry red is an excellent choice!
x

Sarah says:
August 24th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Ah, I wish I could knit! I learned how at university, though never anything more than scarves, but I have since forgotten how to do even that. I have so much admiration for those of you who can tackle adorable patterns like that, so good luck! It’s going to be lovely, I’m sure!

reilly says:
August 24th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

So cute! Now I’m feeling the extra push to sign up for some knitting classes!

Lauren says:
August 24th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

We always seem to be going through spurts of creativity about the same time! I just took up my knitting again, too
That blouse looks like it will be so cute! I’m not accomplished enough in my knitting yet to make my own pattern from an existing one. What a great skill!
Knit Picks is the best! I am really wanting to order more yard for my next project but I’m holding myself back… barely…
I’m glad you linked to Iva Rose. For some reason I thought her site had dissapeared, and I’m glad to see she’s still there! Oooh the knitting temptations!

Jennifer says:
August 24th, 2009 at 5:13 pm

What a wonderful design! I just know it’ll turn our beautifully! I’m taking a knitting class starting in September, I’m so excited for it but nervous that I’ll be a total failure at it! But, I guess I’ll never know unless I try!

Nadja says:
August 25th, 2009 at 1:27 am

Of course ypu will finnish the project! I my self is waiting for a vintageknitting book so I will soon jion you!

Andi B. Goode says:
August 25th, 2009 at 1:47 am

How exciting. =D
I’ve got a few free vintage patterns saved but we’re having a bit of trouble because we can’t fight the right ply wool for all of the vintage jumpers. It’s all 3 ply, I think, and we can’t find that here. Have the patterns you have been updated or are they the original patterns?

-Andi x

Josie says:
August 25th, 2009 at 4:57 am

You lcuky thing being able to knit! The design is lovely!

Sara says:
August 26th, 2009 at 11:05 pm

I’ve always been rather adverse to knitted clothing – until this spring, when I found a little chunky knit raglan tee in a thrift store. It has been the most marvelous thing to wear in warm weather! I wouldn’t mind having half a dozen of them. Best of luck!

Caf says:
August 28th, 2009 at 12:10 am

aw, Casey, I love your blog! I’ve just started knitting after having mum teach me again…I’m starting with the all learning, all basic, garter stitch scarf…Can’t wait to develop my skills and be able to knit cardigans, I LOVE cardigans and they just never sell what I want

Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!