project ideas: February 2007 Archives

Once I get started it's hard for me to stop. I've been obsessing over 2 of the projects I featured earlier.

Lace Nightie from IK Spring 2007 It's such a simple design and yet I love it. I see myself wearing it as a layer -- maybe with a lacy, slightly ruffled cap sleeved T underneath. I could go for black and have the option to layer various shirts underneath it. Or I could get out of my black/brown/dark blue rut and go for a real color. I'm always afraid to knit with color -- not because I don't like color (although that's a bit true) but mostly because I'm afraid that I won't be able to wear it much if it's a memorable color. I need to get over that. It's knit in Alchemy Bamboo. I've just learned to love bamboo yarn but I'm not sure I like the sheen or weight of bamboo for this project. A mercerized cotton might have a little less sheen. I have some Milli Fille Fine that I played with a while back that might work out nicely. And bonus -- it's a stash yarn.

Page 10 from Phildar 468 It's a deceptively simple top but the details are really attractive to me -- the slight gathers at the tip of the V, the graduated depth of the ribbing, and the way the neckline curves inward the last couple of inches. It's a very flattering top. The yarn choice enhances the design too, and that's where I get hung up. Phil Eponge is a boucle made of Cotton, Acrylic, Polyamid and Elasthanne (which I believe is a Lycra-like elastic). I'm not sure if I'd like the way the yarn feels, but I bet the top is lightweight, holds its shape well, and even has a little give. The yarn probably enhances those little gathers so I need to think carefully about what to use.

Any thoughts or ideas about either of these? I'm not a big warm weather knitter but I'd like to change that. Now that it's my fourth MDSW I'm thinking ahead. And damnit I WILL wear something handknit.

The same thing happens every February. All the new spring designs come out, and I go in new project overload. It's still plenty cold out, but I'm thinking of cotton and bamboo, cap sleeves and tanks. Even lingerie.

I've always thought Spring knows what it's doing with its patterns. They come out in the depths of winter, just when we're at our must vulnerable. Today we're having an ice storm on top of snow. How could I not be taunted by a flirty little top?

Here are the ones I like the most, although I'm sure I'll find a few that I never noticed once the FOs start popping up on the blogs. Do you ever do that? Skip right past a pattern and then a blogger makes it and you swear you've never seen it before.

Sassoon from RYC Nature	Nerissa from Rowan 41	Glade from RYC Nature
Lace Nightie from IK Spring 2007	Cable Down Raglan from IK Spring 2007	Ruffled Surplice from IK Spring 2007
Orford from Rowan 41		Page 10 from Phildar 468

There are also several books I'm really excited to see.

	Stephanie Japel's Fitted Knits I've only seen a few of the projects so far but it looks like a great book AND with great schematics.
	Lace Style by Pam Allen If this book lives up to its "style" counterparts it should be a good one.
	Knitting Lingerie Style by Joan Michael-McGowen I was already interested in this, but after reading the article on Joan in IK Spring 2007 I'm more excited than ever about it. I don't see myself knitting lingerie as lingerie, but a little girliness can go a long way in a layered outfit for spring and summer -- and sometimes even fall.