So my finishing of projects over the summer leaves me in the odd situation of having no major projects on needles or hooks.
Ok, I have a few rows on a secret project to finish, and a thrummed muff that is staring at from the corner but I want to start something new. As you know well, a new project has to fulfil several ‘rules’, and these rules will change depending on what the project needs to fulfil.
- I want to use up some of my gorgeous laceweight or lighter yarns
- I probably (therefore) want a shawl -but I’m not sure I want another triangle
- I have a long coach journey in the middle of next month so whatever project I start can’t be too fiddly or complicated
- I don’t want a boring project
- I’d quite like it to be blue, don’t know why, just would – you know how it goes.
Now, I have lots of projects that don’t fit the ‘must be done on a coach’ requirement – small beads, complex lace charts, fiddly stitches… In fact I was surprised at how many projects I have that fall into that category.
The list of projects that can be done on a coach is much, much smaller but also contains stuff that is full of rows and rows and rows of boring garter or stockinette stitch. So, I have:
- The Tirrold Jumper – laceweight, purple, bottom-up jumper sweater with an eventual interesting lace panel at the top. The yards of stockinette and rib have to be done at some point!
- The Textured Shawl – I have a raft of dark green mirasol K’acha marked for this. DK weight, enough variance to be interesting but it’s triangular
- Thin Ice – easy pattern with a little variance to keep it interesting, blue, lace on the bottom edge and beads if I want to add them. also triangular
- Finally, Laura is a crochet project that I’ve had in my queue for a while. It’s beaded, so not appropriate coach crafting but I have some lovely fyberspates purple lace that didn’t work for the project I bought it for or I could go a little heavier and use the 4ply seasilk I have. I also don’t have a crochet project on the go at the moment, so I might just “cast” this one on as well – despite the fact I’d have to buy beads!
So, having done all that I think I’m going to cast on the Thin Ice and have that as this month’s project -and maybe take the Tirrold as a ‘back up’ project for the coach if I’ve got to the complex bit of Thin Ice by then…
Of course in the process of trying to decide what to do next I emptied out my entire stash onto the study floor and even had a bit of clear out (gosh, go me!) – as do I really need that half skein of bright orange acrylic? i’ve tagged the yarns I have for specific projects and made a list – I might even check it twice! have lots of things to for the next few months now at least.
Right, best get started then..