Marled Wool, Take 3

A couple weeks ago, I posted asking for suggestions for a use for my marled Fisherman's wool. I decided to try the Seedling pattern. First, it took about 45 minutes to wind one ball from the messy, angry, almost hank I wound after frogging the last project. I cast on with fingers crossed. I got through about 2 pattern repeats and, of course, I couldn't see the stitch pattern!

100 sts x 10 rep x 2 = 2000 stitches. Boo!

So I ripped that out and started the Mara Shawl. First, let me say that I love shawls in worsted weight yarn. They FLY. I'm already finished with the body of the shawl (one ball = 450 yds or so) and have started on the edging. It looks like a crumpled mess because the wingspan of this shawl is already 5 feet and i'm determined to only use my 40" cable. I have less than 6 inches left now!

Cooperate, and Nobody Gets Hurt

Last night I had some problems with the Jaywalker pattern. Ok, problems may be sugar-coating it. Let me give you some background.

I'm using my ball of Mountain Colors Crazyfoot in Wild Raspberry finally. Originally, I wanted to use Hermoine's  Everyday Socks. About 3 inches into the sock, i realized I couldn't see the texture at all. I bit the bullet and ripped that out. I found another pattern I liked, Jaywalker. So I cast on for that and when I started the actual pattern, my stitch count was off. Oh, that was probably because I neglected to look at the number of cast on stitches. Duh. So I rip that one out (2nd time for those of you keeping score) and try again, using my brain this time. I got about 2 inches into the leg and suddenly, my stitch count isn't working. What gives? It's a 7 stitch repeat. I'm pretty sure I can consistently count to 7. But I think, "well, i'm smart. this isn't my first rodeo screwing up a stitch count." so i start counting all the stitches, adding them where they need to be, taking them out where they don't. and what happens?

it get all kinds of wonky.

i can't fix it.

I. Can't. Fix. It.

However, I keep my wits about me (sort of) and decide to set it aside. And by set aside, I mean throw angrily into my knitting bag.

I got home from work today and decided to give it another go. and this time, i used my super-secret weapon: stitch markers.

And it worked.

Yay!

Quarter 2 Goal

I'm having trouble deciding what pattern to use for my Quarter 2 goal of knitting colorwork. I want to try fairisle specifically. However, I realized all the patterns I like have something in common: skulls. Yes, skull fairisle was dominating my choices. I didn't want to make all skull stuff though! I found 2 projects from the book 60 Quick Knits from Cascade Yarn. The choices are:

OR...

 

Yes, those are octopi. Yes, they are kids' mittens. Yes, they'll be for me. Don't hate.

What Would You Make?

I have a dilemma. I have 2 skeins (about 925 yds) of Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool in Maple Tweed. It's tried to be a couple projects already but since been ripped out. I have no clue what to do with this yarn. Well actually, I've got about 30 clues, but I can't decide on one. I don't want to do anything lace or cable since the marled yarn looses it's stitch definition. I don't want to do plain stockinette because it's been that once and ripped out. I'm throwing some ideas out there, so if anyone wants to leave some feedback, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Ideas for Maple Tweed:

Felted Bag (of some sort)
Ashford Shawl
Clapotis
Seedling Wrap
Edith Shawl
Iris Shawl
Norn Shawl
Intrigue Wrap

Or if you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!