I have the most terrible startitis. Since finishing the Winterfell Shawl (pics when my iphone isn't updating the new softwear) I have cast on a vast number of things:
Batik by Kitman Figueroa, using a glorious aubergine coloured cotton that I bought in Coventry when visiting Ben.
Ambroso Mittens by Carol Feller in Manos del Uraguy Silk Blend
Veyla by Ysolda
Hexipuffs for the Beekeeper's Quilt by Tiny Owl Knits
and today, I cast on for Angostura, another of Ysolda's patterns. It was my local yarn shop's first birthday, so I went along (there was cake) and bought myself some lovely British Breeds Blue Faced Leicester aran in a glorious deep red. Got the yardage totally wrong, so only bought 6 balls. I called the owner and asked her to put another 4 to one side for me.
I blame knitting on just one thing for so long for this ridiculous level of startitis. I did the Winterfell Shawl as a test knit, and was concerned by the deadline, so knit it exclusively for about a month. It has made a lovely shawl (I am a little sad I have promised it as a Christmas present to a dear friend) but the vast swathes of garter stitch made knitting it somewhat dull. The finished project is worth it, but I do think that monogamy in my knitting is not for me.
So the mittens are for my sister and need finishing by the end of November. This is achievable, but I need to frog it and make a new start. Curses to not reading the pattern properly.
The batik is for me, and is the most tricky pattern there. It needs thought, so I tend to knit it when I'm alone.
The hexipuffs are lovely and easy and I am using a load of the 4ply acrylic that I got from Alan years ago. His mother was a knitter and when she died he wanted the yarn to go to someone who would care for it. I have been waiting years until I found the perfect project for it, and I think that this is it. The 5 hexipuffs I have made so far are sitting in a vase in my living room. I am not going to get intimidated by how many are needed to make a whole blanket!
The Veyla mittens are a pattern I love so much, but the yarn I'm using is very varigated, and I am not sure that the pattern will be best shown in that type of yarn. I may frog them.
The vest is one I have wanted to knit for ages, and I am glad I have cast on. It's such a very lovely design. I have made a lot of Ysolda's patterns, and they are always such glorious fun to knit.
So that is where I am with knitting right now. Next post I promise there will be more photos, but right now I must make crostini. I am having a James Bond film night tonight, and so am making some baba ganoush, crostini, and martinis.
There will be dressing up. I shall be going as Miss Moneypenny.
