Uh oh, that Philippa Jumper is now in a bag while I have been knitting a new design…
I couldn’t help myself. I tried really hard to be a one-project-at-a-time knitter (ignoring the 10 plus WIPs already in bags) and I’ve almost finished the second sleeve of the Philippa Jumper.
But then the lovely hot weather we had a week ago now made my fingers itch for a new cast on. And then there was the new delivery of some gorgeous British wool that was first whispering, then gently chatting and then properly calling at me to cast on…
And so I did. I cast on a new project and I don’t regret it! I love knitting with it. And because it is a baby garment, I completed it in a week – yay!
That feels good because now I can go back to the Philippa Jumper feeling like I’ve finished something.
An adult jumper always takes longer than a baby garment or an accessory because these typically only take one or two hanks, whereas an adult garment takes a lot more. I’ve always liked to knit an adult garment alongside a child’s garment or accessory.
That is also why I design accessories in the same stitches as an adult jumper. If the stitches or pattern are new to you, then you can get used to them on a smaller item first. You can simply be with the stitches without worrying about the shaping of the garment or the size of the knitting.
Instead there are just a few balls to knit in the pattern and you can get familiar with them. Then, knowing you already understand the stitches, you can confidently start the larger garment – either straight away or after another small project.
Whatever works for you. Because knitting is all about personal choice and feelings – what feels good for you. For some knitters that means one project at a time with no stash except a small tidy box. For others it means a stash in a large box… boxes… cupboards… under-the-bed storage… or possibly an entire room filled with yarn!
For those stash loving knitters, with lots of projects on the go means that when the urge to cast on arrives, there is always yarn waiting to become something. And sometimes there is almost the right colour… but not quite… which of course means a visit to the yarn shop is required to find the perfect missing shade. A completely reasonable situation.
So this week I designed and knitted this new baby design in a week. It was such fun to knit. But… I want to do a few tweaks on it because I feel it isn’t quite right yet. So I’m going to cast on another one this week with those tweaks.
And hopefully I’ll have more to share with you next week…