Go Hard or Go Home
I used that mantra once and had someone ask me if I actually lived by that, to which I replied "Oh heck, no." So I might crash and burn big, but I'm going to try my hand at the NaKniSweMo. I think this year I'm in the right compulsive state of mind to actually succeed.
I chatted with Margene via email about project selection, which I think is all-important to having a good outcome unless you have a LOT of leisure time in your life. Which I don't exactly. We both agreed that having a fairly simple pattern (this is not the time for a Starmore Aran sweater), and being sure you've got a fairly beefy gauge yarn to knit with are the keys.
I decided on the Central Park Non-Hoodie. I really liked the collar mods Norma did on hers and I'm not sure the hoodie look is me anyway. I had been thinking about knitting this sweater this fall as well so this will give me the perfect excuse. I went shopping in the stash and decided on some Araucania "Chunky" Wool. If that stuff is "chunky" gauge, I'm the queen of Sheba (as opposed to just acting like it). I had tried the wool out for another project on size 9 US needles, so I was pretty sure I'd get gauge with 8's and sure enough, my gauge swatch (OMG - Yes! - I actually did one and washed it) is 4.25 stitches per inch, which is perfect.
My plan is to finish winding the remaining skeins on the trusty ball-winder, and then be ready to start knitting this weekend. This project will supercede my WIP Wednesday projects for a while, but I'll plan on checking in with progress on a regular basis with this project instead. Onward!
All for now.....
i'm sure you'll succeed much better with your NaKniSweMo goals than i did with my one for socktoberfest.
Posted by: rebecca | October 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM
I have been thinking about a sweater, since I'm already wearing the one I made for me last year to pieces, but I don't know about such a big public commitment -- I may just go home!
Posted by: marylou | October 30, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Love the blues :)
Posted by: Joy | October 30, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Good luck...it's certainly a beautiful yarn. I wish my life were a little less hectic - I'd like to give NaKniSweMo a shot some time. Oh well, maybe next year.
Posted by: Imbrium | October 30, 2008 at 01:29 PM
love the colors! i'm doing nanowrimo myself (i can't knit a sweater in amonth, no matter how hard i try, lol. project ADD)
Posted by: minnie | October 30, 2008 at 01:33 PM
It will be great to have company and I know we can do it! We might just have to meet and knit together once in awhile and offer each support and encouragement. Hope my yarn arrives soon!
Posted by: margene | October 30, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Those - "this is not the time for a Starmore Aran sweater" - are fighting words! Too bad my Hebridean 3 ply is not going to be here on time, but I'll be cheering you from the sidelines.
Posted by: Marina | October 30, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Wow, that is ambitious. I wouldn't really know how doable it is since I have only knit one adult size sweater, but the thought alone seems overwhelming to me.
The shading in the blue yarn is lovely.
Of course, you've planted a seed now....but I think I'm going to have to pass as I have 3.5 more Christmas gifts I'd like to knit.
Posted by: Toby | October 30, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Great choice for both the yarn and pattern! I'm sure you'll love it.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | October 30, 2008 at 03:22 PM
I love that Yarn!
I've been thinking of jumping in too since I've had "Twist" on my mind for awhile. Unfortunetly Classic Elite's Skye Tweed is long gone. I'm looking for a tweed that doesn't pill.
Posted by: diane | October 30, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Sounds like a good plan! I look forward to seeing the progress, and have complete faith that you will succeed.
Posted by: Chris | October 30, 2008 at 04:43 PM
So, no Harriet, eh? Darn.
As for CPH or CPNH. as the case may be, I don't wear hoods as actual hoods, but rather as collars that stay down back where knitted collars tend not to for me!
Posted by: Marcia | October 30, 2008 at 04:44 PM
My creaky fingers are crossed for you!
Posted by: AmyP | October 30, 2008 at 05:30 PM
I love my Central Park Hoodie, I think you will enjoy knitting it!
Posted by: Jewel | October 31, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Oh, I like the CP non-H idea... and you know whether you succeed or crash and burn on the NaKniSwe-whatever-ness (I can't take anymore acronyms.. I just can't :)) all that's really important is that a girl's gotta do what she's gotta do! Awesome blue colour too...
Posted by: LIz | October 31, 2008 at 10:35 AM
So you decided to go for it. Good for you! I'll be cheering you on from CT. I am going to start a sweater too. I checked and I haven't made a sweater since April. Wow. I am not doing it for NaKniSweMo though. I doubt I could knit a sweater in a month.
Posted by: Karen | October 31, 2008 at 11:23 AM