Usually the rush of “new beginnings” comes in early spring – trees budding, flowers blooming – but there are quite a few noteworthy new beginnings for me, here on this last day of January.

I cast on for two new projects. Both are early starts for Project Spectrum knits. I tend to gravitate towards the blue as this has been one of my favorite colors since I was a child. However, I have some plans for white and gray as well!

First, the one you know:

Oh, my Glee tee. This one is going to be good. I totally forgot how much I enjoy the top-down technique. I have only done it once before (for the One Skein Wonder) but I really like the way it works up, err… down The yarn is fantastic. It has a beautiful texture and great feel. Plus, the color is absolutely perfect for my tastes. The yarn has some rawness to it, but is also extremely elegant. I am very happy with it… and I only have an inch! Glee will probably take awhile to knit, but it will be simple, straightforward, and so wearable. That is a winner in my book.

Then, the one you don’t know:

You may recall that I bought the Kristen hat from Bea Ellis knitwear last year. I had grand plans to cast on for this for the Stranded Colorwork knitalong, which started last December (Nonnahs made a fun Bea Ellis hat, and Grumperina shared some tips from her recent Kristen adventure). However, it didn’t see the needles till now. Honestly, I was a little nervous about the colorwork, as this was my first attempt… but after actually doing it, I can say it is not bad! I can see myself getting addicted to this! I will need some more practice on floats and stranding, but that will come with time. Now that I am starting it, it is perfect timing for the new knitalong run by Hannah and company: Fair Isle February!

The yarn is Dale of Norway Heilo in navy as the main color, and ecru as the contrast color. The cotton liner seen here will be pressed and folded under later to protect my sensitive forehead from the wool.

Another new beginning: I start a new job tomorrow. It is not completely new, as I have been doing something similar for over two years at the same institution. However, this job carries more responsibility, and has the shiny title of Archivist attached to it. So, it is my first professional position after completing graduate school in December, and I am ready for the new challenge! Gung ho!

And I probably don’t have to tell you – but did you know that PROJECT SPECTRUM starts tomorrow??? Talk about a new beginning!

I reserve the right to completely change my mind.

My plans were set for Project Spectrum’s first two-month span of knitting. Ambitious plans. (Remember? I am the girl with the plan…)

Then, I saw Carrie’s blog. The wheels started turning in my head.

I have the perfect yarn. It has been sitting in my stash without a definitive project for well over a year.

Got the pattern, balled up the yarn.

Cast on is imminent.

… I think I have a new favorite color…

I reserve the right to knit what I want whenever the mood strikes me!

Pattern: Sesame Cardigan (Magknits August 2005)
Designed by: Melissa Wherle
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Licorice (approximately 5.25 balls)
Needles: Size US 6 circular needles
Started: July 2006 / Finished: January 2007

–Alternate View
–Button Band and Collar Detail

Quick progress on this one as soon as I psyched myself up for it… and I couldn't be happier with the result! This thing is going to be my friggin' uniform. It fits perfectly – I was a little worried as I was sewing it up – and after playing around with it, I think I kind of like the bomber jacket style with the collar up, rather than the sailor collar-down look.

Once the body pieces were complete, there was still quite a bit of knitting required. Thankfully, I had a free Saturday, and there were plenty of good television to catch up on; the collar and the button band were finished and blocked and by Saturday night, it was ready to wear. Even sewed the buttons on while chatting with my sister on the phone.

No major modifications to the sweater – I didn't add the extra buttons that Melissa mentions in the pattern, and only made 4 button holes, instead of the 6 written into the pattern. The buttons were what drew me to this sweater in the first place, and I gotta say, I love the way they turned out. At first, I thought the light wood of the buttons alongside the black knit fabric may be too much contrast, but in the end, I think it looks great. I am not sure how often I will wear it completely buttoned anyhow… Bought the buttons last year at the craft store. Still have two more to embellish some other knits!

A note on the yarn: I am so glad that Lion Brand wisened up and brought Cotton Ease back. This yarn is fabulous. It is a great quality worsted cotton/acrylic blend with a lot of yardage at a good price. Plus their new colors are quite attractive. How great would this cardi look in the new Violet or Terra Cotta colorways? It may be worth a trip to the craft store… I used a little more than 5 skeins for this cardigan (I made the 38" size) and I still have a few to spare.

I would totally knit this sweater again, despite it taking me forever to complete. It is a simple classic design that will be perfect with jeans, as well as casual skirts. The cotton will transcend all seasons – a year-round wardrobe staple, for sure. As I was putting on the finishing touches, I told Kris "I would totally buy this…"

…and did you notice? I got a new toy!

"Bite the Bullet": to do or accept something difficult or unpleasant. Etymology: based on the literal action of soldiers in the past who bit on bullets when they were operated on without drugs.

…Maybe that is a little too strong. It is not entirely difficult, and not yet to the degree of "unpleasant", but my Sesame cardigan has been hanging around for quite some time in my knitting bag. Too long. I can't complain though. This is a great design – simple and easy to understand. The yarn is great, and a good fit for the pattern. It is just a lot of stockinette, and the cotton tends to do a number on my wrists. However, I know I will wear this cardigan all the time…

So, I bit the bullet.

I have been working solely on Sesame since Sunday afternoon. I have made a lot of progress. I finished the back – I only had three inches before – and finished the sleeves. I have sewn the shoulder seams, and am now working on the collar, which was picked up and knit. Next step: the button band. I am close!

A little fireside knitting while watching the NHL All-Stars game…

I figured that since I started this cardigan during the last Project Spectrum, I really should finish it before the beginning of the second Project Spectrum round…

What project is lingering in your basket? 

My early yarn-buying habits can only be described as willy nilly. I bought yarn with no purpose – pretty color or texture and it went right into my basket. I can only blame the idealism of my knitting youth – I actually thought I would do something with these random balls of wool, cotton, silk… over time, I have used a few of these yarns, but some are long gone – in other people's stashes, or donated to a worthy cause.

Now, I buy with a purpose. Almost obsessively so. Before fiber festivals, I make a list. I pull out my books and magazines and go through my "someday knits" list, writing down gauge, fiber content, yardage. I have had great luck with this method, and now, my stash is organized by project, rather than random balls of yarn.

So, when I come across some great yarn, and don't have a specific plan in mind for it – a little reverse engineering is necessary. Such was the case this past weekend…

Sarah and Lara hosted a yarn swap. There was A LOT of yarn.

Heather and I carpooled to Sarah's for a fun evening. Before going in, we told each other that we would not come out with much – we are both trying to use up some yarns that we already have… (can you see where this is going?)

With food, friends, and wine, I let my guard down. I came home with quite a bit of yarn. The crazy thing is is that there was still a table full when we left! In the process of all of this yarn hording, I got to meet some lovely knitters, and reconnected with some other local friends…

Here's Shannon diligently working on the raglan cardigan from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts (remember my version?) and a great picture of Elsbeth and Sarah.

In a moment of absentmindedness – and of hurrying out the door with all of my yarns – I forgot to bring my own knitting. Luckily, my friend Paula had a project for me to work on while we were catching up! (see the pretty blue wool?)

*More pictures of the party are here!*

I came home with some amazing yarns. A few random skeins for hats and scarves, but I tried to stick with bigger lots so I could match them up with a pattern once I got home… luckily, the two large lots I got – the gorgeous light blue alpaca/merino blend (Cascade Lana d'Oro) and the rust-colored mohair (Berroco Mohair Classic) – were easy matches for two patterns that I have had my eye on…

"Ram's Horn Jacket" from Knitting Nature – a perfect match for the blue alpaca blend, no?

"Perfect Pie Shawl" from Weekend Knitting – the pattern even calls for this yarn! Now to decide on the lace edging…

Sure, I may not get around to these patterns for quite awhile, but now they can live happily in my stash with a project in mind. I can sleep easier knowing this.

I am the girl with the plan.