Tonight, I'm cozied up and watching my two hours (hooray!) of The Amazing Race. And trying to make an important decision.
See, recently I finished (well, almost) a big project - the bpt. In my most recent update on this project (here), I had everything done but one sleeve. I finally buckled down and forced myself to finish the last sleeve. It seriously felt like work, and made me reconsider my whole concept of knitting a cabled sweater in raw silk yarn. But now it's done - except for the weaving in of ends, of course. (that phrase makes me think of "the airing of grievances" every time...) I'm steeling myself for that.
In the meantime, I've been working on a few small projects - two critters for a baby shower gift; one Ruby Slipper sock, which was promptly deemed to be too small and ripped out, and then reincarnated with more stitches, a ribbing/cables pattern, and a funky striping pattern; and a stripy sock with everything done but the Kitchener (knitting's version of the singing fat lady, I'm sure); and a potato chip scarf pattern here) with a project cost of $2.50 (made from Target's $1 yarn) that I started at Rhinebeck - it will be either a craft fair scarf or a gift.
OK, so now I need a big project to take up. I've narrowed down the field, and I'd like to take a poll. Voting in this poll will also enter you in a contest to win something fabulous from my stash (to be determined). I think I've made my choice, but I might still be swayed...
Here goes:
A. Eeeny
Red sparkly No Smoking yarn to make this sexy tank.
Pros: Not too complicated, probably a fairly quick knit; pretty sparkly yarn; good to wear to a holiday party
Cons: Can't imagine that I'll wear it to anything but a holiday party
B. Meeny
Soft and stretchy brown Merino Stretch to make this sweater (free pattern from elann with yarn purchase)
Pros: Love the sweater, because I love cables; the brown is immensely practical and I would probably wear it to work at least once a week; the yarn is soft and squooshy
Cons: Will I get sick of the cables? Will the brown bore me to death?
C. Miney
Beautiful Foreplay yarn from Brooks Fiber Farm; purchased from Maryland Sheep & Wool 2004. To make a Ribby Cardi with blue body and colorful (coordinating) sleeves.
Pros: The yarn has been marinating in the stash for a while - it will be a relief to finally use it; I've loved the Ribby Cardi pattern since it came out but haven't committed to it yet
Cons: How often will I wear it? Not sure.
D. Moe
The gorgeous 100% alpaca I got at Rhinebeck just a few weeks ago to make a raglan cardigan similar to this one, but with stripes.
Pros: I love this yarn and can't wait to knit it
Cons: It might be unfair to the other yarns to knit this one right away (might hurt their feelings, you know); again, not sure how often I'd wear it.
Edited to add: Check out Maeve's sweater from the same yarn! Imagine it in a cardigan, and you've got my mental image of this sweater
OK, the polls are officially open. Declare your vote in the comments or in an e-mail.
There will be a mini-blog hiatus as I will be out of town for the next two weeks. You don't have to feel sorry for me, as I'll be in the Caribbean (first for fun, then for work).
Therefore, the polls will be open to accept your vote until 5 PM Nov. 20th. If you want to be a trendsetter and get your vote in early, or if you're a wait until the last moment to see how public opinion is going kinda person, makes no difference. Just vote!
Meeny, I vote for Meeny! Love the brown, love the pattern, love the fact you'd wear it!!
And See, MOM reads you blog and even voted FIRST!!!!!!!!
YYEEEAAAA!!!
Love you!
Mom
MEENY FOR SURE! but uh, I think it's 'cause *I* want that sweater. You know, the Holidays ARE comin' up... :-P
Posted by: Lara on November 9, 2005 01:44 AMI vote for meeny, too. You won't get tired of the cables and your progress will be so much fun to watch. You'll need it for this winter too. Jane
Posted by: jane on November 9, 2005 06:10 AMI'm bucking the trend and going with MOE because it sounds like that's what you really want to make. Have a great vacay!
Posted by: Cara on November 9, 2005 07:50 AMTotally Meeney - the others are nice, but it's going to be gorgeous AND practical - you can't beat that!
Posted by: natalie on November 9, 2005 08:01 AMMeeny all the way! It's going to be so delicious to wear.
Posted by: Rosssana on November 9, 2005 08:42 AMGoing against the grain here and voting for Moe. Meeney is beautiful but there is something about alpaca that warms my heart
Posted by: Kate on November 9, 2005 08:45 AMMiney. It's not cabled, for a some variety, it's got two colors, I've heard wonderful things about fourplay, and then you can knit Moe without feeling guilty.
Posted by: naomi on November 9, 2005 09:40 AMArrested Development is by far my most favoritest show! I didn't watch Monday's episode yet (taped it because I was in class), but hopefully I'll watch it tonight or tomorrow.
I'm voting for Eeeny! Yay for sparkles!
Posted by: kim on November 9, 2005 10:42 AMMiney ~ I LOVE my Ribby, the pattern is fab and well-written, and BMB will post your pic in her gallery!
Posted by: Maggi on November 9, 2005 11:32 AMI vote for Meeny! Love the cables and I am all for practical sweaters. :)
Hey, wanna go see either of these shows with me:
12/1 State Theater: http://www.bettyelavette.com
or 11/30 9:30 Club: http://ironandwine.com/ ?
C'mon, it'll be supaFUN!!
Posted by: chelsea on November 9, 2005 11:50 AMMeeny! Meeny! Meeny! Because I've always loved that cardigan and wanted to buy that yarn. It'll be challenging but not too challenging once you have memorized the pattern. And those cables look so cool that it may just make you want to keep knitting so they will appear faster and faster!
Posted by: Evelyn on November 9, 2005 12:48 PMI vote for meeny - you can't knock a good wardrobe staple!
Posted by: Kris on November 9, 2005 01:11 PMI'm going with the flow and voting meeny, but mostly just because a) i love the pattern and it would look great on you and b) it's impossible to get bored knitting cables (tempting fate to say that, perhaps). I love it!
Posted by: anne on November 9, 2005 02:19 PMI'm going to vote miney because I think you'll feel good about using up something that's been waiting around for a while. Plus, it's Brooks Farm, so pretty and practical.
Posted by: Jenna on November 9, 2005 11:34 PMHere's another vote for 'meeny'! You will love knitting up all the cables and it will feel right to have some chocolate coloured yarn in the fingers around christmas. I can so understand how you don't want to upset your long time stashed yarns. ;-)
On Arrested Development: They don't broadcast the show at my place but fortunately, a lot of people in the US have digital TV now. And computers. And fast internet connections. You can imagine the rest... This show is sooo funny! You are not alone! Enjoy your holidays.
Definitely Meeny, chocolate merino is a tasty treat. And, should you be less-than-satisfied with it, it will go perfectly with my brand-new boots.
Posted by: bluestocking on November 10, 2005 10:53 PMEENY!!
Just cause it is fun!! And you'll be done with it quick and then can go with the old boring stuff!!
Posted by: Dad on November 11, 2005 08:51 AMYou DAD said Eeny??? Did he look at the back?? and tell bluestocking that Brown is MY color! LOL
Love you
Mom
Meeny was my first instinct, but I think knitting with Four Play is going to be fabulous, so I'm going to go with Miney. MINEY MINEY MINEY.
Posted by: Carrie on November 11, 2005 02:15 PMMiney! Ribby Cardigan is a great pattern and I love mine so much that I plan on making another one. If there is enough yarn in the stash it will have variegated sleeves and a solid body. ;^)
B! B! B! I have been looking hi and lo for that pattern and the booklet is now out of print. So for pure selfishness, knit meeny!!
Posted by: amanda on November 16, 2005 06:05 PMI'm another vote for Meeney because I'm a sucker for cardigans (especially with weather like this week's!). Plus you know you'll wear it, which you don't seem sure of with Miney or Moe (although I do like those colors).
Posted by: sprite on November 18, 2005 01:43 AMI vote for Meeny - I've wanted to knit that one, too. I'll see how your's turns out before I start mine! :) Hope you're having fun in the sun!!!
Posted by: Jen L on November 20, 2005 10:23 PMOK, voting time is over. What you going to knit????
Love you
Mom