Remember when I said that I had a bad Saturday night? Well, my path of destruction did not end with the (dearly departed) Aran Accent Vest. It reached way down into my works-in-progress pile too. After months upon months of lingering at the bottom of my knitting basket, the Street Smart Hoodie made a comeback this past weekend… but not before I had to rip back a few inches after some wayward cable stitching. (What is it with me and the cables?) I seem to have this problem whenever I pick up a project after many months. My brain needs some time to reacquaint itself with the pattern and the yarn. Luckily, This story ends on a happier note: the Hoodie is working up perfectly now, and I am working through the arm hole decreases on the back.
Why in the world did I abandon this project for so long?
I bought the yarn at Stitches East 2006 from the lovely people at Cottage Craft. Just talking with them made me want to go to their idyllic shop on the bay in New Brunswick. After working with the wool itself, my urge to go there is even stronger. The yarn is great – sturdy, beautifully dyed, and perfect for textured projects. It is raw, with some “crunch” to it. There are a few flecks of vegetable matter, although nothing too coarse. Like so many other yarns, I know it will soften up after a nice dunk in the sink. This is their 2ply worsted weight in Maritime Blue. [See their colors here] (I also bought some of their single ply yarn in Black Cherry for a shawl or simple lace project… so this is not the last you will hear of this yarn!)
This project, as well as the yarn for my Aftur yoked pullover are going right into my travel bag: Kris and I are headed south to Williamsburg, Virginia for a little business (a regional archives conference) and a little pleasure (wineries!)
That is GORGEOUS! Makin’ me jealous over here….
That is so pretty! Glad that this is working out wonderfully!
Have a great trip. We look forward to seeing what comes back with you!
I’m glad you worked out your differences with the Street Smart Hoodie. It is gorgeous, the color and the patterning are beautiful together.
Have a great trip.
L: . . .is for LOVELY, from the blue knitting itself to the passion you express for the yarn, the folks, the place. . .Do I sniff a New Brunswock Long Weekend come spring? xs s
I’m so glad to see you’ve picked this project up again. I’m excited to see it finished — the color is going to be beautiful on you!
Happy travels.
I thought you had frogged that beauty – phew!
That’s the thing with cables – whenever I start a cable-y project, I know that it’ll have to be done from start to finish, without putting down for more than a couple of days and no other knitting in between! It’s looking beautiful, though!!
that color is sensational. can’t wait to see the finished product.
Yay! I’m so glad you’ve picked this back up – you’re going to love finishing and wearing this project.
It’s good to go through all the WIPs sometimes. In fact, I should do that soon. I know I have a couple lingering in the bottom of some knitting bags!
that is GORGEOUS!
Oh, I am SO glad to hear that I am not the only one who sings the praises of this yarn! I love Cottage Craft, and despite it’s inexpensive price tag, I hoard it in my stash as if it were pure silk. I am currently making a scarf for my Dad with it, and plan a Rusted Root with is soon.
I love the way these cables are coming out, so fun and well defined. The color is beautiful too, what a perfect Fall knit!
Have a great time in Williamsburg, I love it down there. I expect photos…
You did create some suspense there – Why would you frog those lovely cables? I’ve been wondering why this project was put aside, also. It’s the sweater that you’ve been wanting for so long! Are you going to try to finish both sweaters for NaKniSweMo?
lovely blue and love cables!!
That color is beautiful, can’t wait to see the finished project.
I’m really liking the colour of your Street Smart Hoodie. The cables are really popping and looking good.
I hope you two enjoy your trip and it goes smoothly as well as tastily.
Those cables look delicious. Even though I lived in New Brunswick for 2 years, I haven’t visited Cottage Craft. Thanks for the heads-up — I’ll have to stop in next time I’m in NB.
Love it! Can’t wait to see it as an FO!
The hoodie and cables look fabulous! Such a beautiful blue too. My brain always thinks it can just pick up a wayward project and start knitting, but I’ve learned it’s a liar.
ohhhh lolly…. i have been wanting to knit this FOREVER and have just not found the perfect yarn for it… yours is absolutely beautiful! and thank you so much for the cottage craft info… have wondered about their yarns!
hope you are having a great time in williamsburg. really lovely photos from your pre-post!
xo
I love that pattern! That tweed is beautiful, too.
Mmmm… those cables look so scrunchy and yummy! It must be nice to be back to it!
so glad you are knitting it again!
I’m glad the Street Smart hoodie is back on the needles again. It looks great.
Lovely cables!
Oh! If you come to NB, please tell me!! I’m behind in my blog reading, and when I read this I just about fell off my chair. I live in Fredericton, NB, and I’d be thrilled if you came this way. I was a teenager in the ’80s, and I knit a Cottage Craft sweater. Back then they had colours that coordinated with Liberty Print fabrics. You could knit a sweater and make a coordinating skirt. They were very popular. I’ll have to dig out a photo of that.
I’m also VERY interested in genealogy, history, knitting, fibre, wine… If you do come this way, I can recommend a couple of books for you to read in advance. Cheers!
P.S. The Cottage Craft yarn is made especially for them by Briggs and Little.
[...] have already sung the praises of this yarn. I could easily sing an encore. It is amazing. I love it. It is a wonderfully simple wool yarn that [...]