Knitting Goals

Alright, so my orchestra tour was less than fruitful when it comes to knitting.  I did have a lot of fun in Minneapolis and Chicago though.  I have no real progress to show on my current project, so this post is instead going to be devoted to some knitting goals that I would like to set for myself in 2008.

I'm sorry to say that this post will not contain any pictures, but I will try to add links when possible so it is not completely boring.

Goal Number One:  Colorwork

Yes, I have done stripes, but that is about the extent of my colorwork experience.  I have a few patterns picked out that I would love to make (when I have to yarn) and I think they will get me well on my way to perfecting the art of using multiple colors while knitting.

1. The first pattern is a great sweater from the book Men Who Knit and the Dogs Who Love Them.  Sadly I can't find a picture of this sweater on the internet, but it is wonderful.  For those of you who own the book, I am looking at the Shades of Gray sweater on p. 47.
   
2. Yes, I am aware that knitting an entire sweater as my first Fair Isle project is crazy, but I can dream can't I?  Lucky for me, I also have my eye on one of the Argyle Scarves (can be seen on the cover) from Son of Stitch 'N Bitch.  Not only would I learn how to do colorwork, but this project would also require me to use the double knitting technique to make the scarf reversible.
3. If this project proves to be too much for me to handle (which I am not anticipating) I may try my luck with a pair of socks using a Fair Isle or Mosaic pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks.  I am guessing however that a pair of socks would be harder to knit using multiple colors than a scarf would.

Goal Number Two:  Right handed knitting

This goal goes along with fair-isle knitting as I think it would make the colorwork much easier.  I have never tried to knit with my other hand, but learning would be a fun challenge and it would be a very practical skill to have.

Goal Number Three:  Knitting socks using the magic loop method

This goal is for no other reason than to say that I can do it.  I have no problem knitting socks using DPNs and although I understand the benefits of knitting two socks at once, I think I would still only knit one at a time using the magic loop method.

Goal Number Four:  Cables

Again, I have done cables before, but only in socks and I think it is time for me to step it up.  I have a selection of sweaters (and socks) that look like they have potential - the trouble is choosing which one to use.  Here they are, in no particular order:

1. The Cable Guy Sweater from Son of Stitch 'N Bitch.  I like the way this sweater uses a plain stockinette fabric and adds texture with the cables.  I think if I made this, I would have to do something about the bottom to make it look less ragged.
2. The Pub Crawler Sweater, also from Son of Stitch 'N Bitch.  I'm not sure how fond I am of the large collar, but no worries, that can be fixed.  I really like the detail on the arm, and the cable pattern looks simple enough to work without needing much concentration.  Excellent.
3. And then there is the ultimate in cabled sweaters.  This is the sweater of my dreams and I am determined to make it eventually, no matter how long it takes.  I will own this sweater.

I think these goals should keep me plenty busy throughout the year.  I already have four projects in the works: the hideously ugly socks, my blue stripey socks (formerly my road trip socks that did not get finished on the road), the baby duffle coat, and a lace shawl that I started this summer.  I also have four other projects waiting to be started (which I'm sure will take me much longer than anticipated) and then I am hoping to be able to embark on a yarn filled journey discovering the unexpected difficulties and exciting successes of knitting with cables and colors.