Moving right along

Over the weekend I finished another piece of Pellew's Pelisse. I was curious about how the pieces were turning out (they were all curled up on themselves) so I ran them downstairs for a quick steam-press. Here's the back, with those miles of stockinette that you have to do before you get to the armhole shaping.

And here is the right front. The yarn is a soft light worsted, and I'm working it on number 7 needles at a gauge of 22 stitches per four inches. It has a nice drape and feel. This is going to be a great sweater if I can last through the next three pieces... the left front has been cast on and is in progress, in case you were wondering.


You can see that it's so completely plain that it almost requires a contrast edging; I had toyed with doing one in the same color. The yarn company called this color "bright navy," and I'd say that was a good description. I could use a bright golden yellow for the edge (to echo Captain Pellew's uniform) and even diverge into some embroidery. I could ignore the name I gave the project and edge it with some blue-based multicolor yarn, such as the stuff I used for the first Fetching gloves project. I could dye some of my handspun... Well, I've got a way to go before the decision becomes imperative to make.

And then there are the Psycho Stripes Sockotta Socks, finished last week but only washed and blocked this weekend. Note the funky difference in the toe striping. Oh, well, no one will notice it but me, or somebody with an unhealthy interest in my toes. Anyway, they were constructed with the standard pattern (cast on 60 stitches, number 2 Susan Bates needles, k2p2 ribbing for a bit, stockinette leg, Dutch heel, stockinette foot, flat toe) from Plymouth Sockotta in color number 617, "Raspberry." The yarn company describes the pattern as a "bold stripe effect" and I would have to agree.

The next socks are not yet on the needles since I'm not sure what the next pattern should be. I'm ready for a little bit of new adventure... perhaps something like Grumperina's latest example. Both the picot edge cuff and the short row heel would be new to me but still simple enough to keep me from getting discouraged.

A short stash enhancement moment occured on Saturday. I finally went to the LYS and picked up that pale antique pink Yarns Brunswick closeout yarn with the intention of evenutally making the Samus cardigan from Knitty. The Amazing A-- made it in a lovely celery-colored yarn and it looks great! Anyway, I dashed in, collected the seven skeins of soft 100 percent superwash wool (220 yards each, $4.20 per skein, a smokin' deal!) and ran out after paying for them, before I could change my mind or add something else to the pile. Must remain focused. Of course, by the time I use the yarn I might change my mind. Or, I might make Samus out of something else.

I still want to make the Kepler sweater (see sidebar; it's similar to Samus) but am searching for just the right yarn to do it. Knitpicks has some interesting new yarns that just might fit the bill. I started it in a dark solid color 100 percent wool and it looked okay but to show the cables to their best advantage I think a light color, a tweed, or maybe some kind of cotton or silk blend would be better.

Decisions, decisions. If that's as hard as life gets, I'm the luckiest woman alive.