Now that the cool weather is circling around us, my thoughts turn to which sweater to knit. Not that I don’t have a large variety of unfinished projects, from skirts to vests to summer tops to baby blankets, but I don’t have a sweater on the go, which for me, is the most satisfying project to knit when autumn comes. Last year I knit Pam Allen’s “Larch,” from her book Plain & Simple. This year I have pulled a selection: “Whole Weekend,” by von Hinterim Stein is right up my alley—attractive details at the cuffs and turtleneck collar, i-cord bind offs, raglan sleeves—simple, but enough flair to make it stand out. Then there’s the “Essential Sweater Dress” from Anna Cohen for Imperial Stock Ranch. Once again, turtleneck, but loose like a cowl, with an interesting wide garter stitch band down the front to mid-thigh. Yet, I am drawn to another Pam Allen, this time a cardigan, “Chestnut,” which has an overall cable pattern, the decreases occurring in the side stockinette band. Another cardigan under consideration is “Emma” in Julie Weisenberger’s Cocoknits Sweater Workshop. This open, long, and loose cardigan is perfect for throwing on in when the temperature’s drop in the evening. I like the extension of the ribbing up the back of the arms and the fabric side pocket construction. Plus, I’ve been wanting to try to the Cocoknits Method for a Tailored Yoke. That may be what sways my decision (and the fact that it is knit in bulky yarn on size 11 needles) but for now, I’m still reading over the patterns and wandering around the store looking at yarns.
Jane, the Colonial house manager, had not been a knitter, but she spent many hours on the sidewalk outside the yarn shop while we were knitting and spinning, chit-chatting. Ann spun most days we could sit outside, so hours were pleasantly passed, talking to passers by commenting on traffic, weather, politics, health, family, you name it. About a week after Ann passed away, Jane said she received a “divine unction” to become a knitter. “One knitter dies, a new knitter is born,” she said. Divine unction: that’s a lot to live up to, Jane—called out of the world for holy work, “the unction comes to make you useful. It will be like an odour that is not to be hidden: it fills all the room. You will be a prophet to teach, shedding light by your example. You will be a priest, to offer the sacrifice of praise. You will be a king, having rule over your own spirit.” It sounds like you’ll be following in Ann’s footsteps, that the odor is lavender, and I’m sure she is smiling.
Love.Yarn.Shop. 