Gotta Swatch!

The gauge swatch is done for the Aztec Sun Top.  I hate to swatch!  But it is very necessary for me.  I tend to knit very loosely and if I don't swatch, I could very well end up with a disaster!  That actually happened on the first sweater I ever knit.  I was so proud of it!  It had a little simple fair isle design around the neckline and it was bright red (one of my favorite colors).  I couldn't wait to get it put together and try it on!  When I did, I was crushed.  It was HUGE!!!!!!!  I learned a hard lesson with that sweater -- gotta swatch!  Now that that task is complete, I am ready to begin the knitting!  I changed my mind a little in the color scheme.  I had chosen the turquoise to knit the body of the sweater and mango to knit the trim and embroider the suns.  Then I decided the sweater needed a touch more color, so I went back to Michaels and picked up some lime to do the trim in.  I think I will like that alot better.  For some reason, the colors look more "balanced" now.  Also, I picked up my Northern Lights crochet jacket again after seeing how beautiful Bron's turned out.  If you remember from my old blog, it is being crocheted in Luxor Plus yarn in the color Black Confetti.  I also picked up the red and purple beads to finish off the Santa Fe shawl that I am working on in the color Ruby Cool (red, purple and white).  I am also ready to start knitting on that shawl and get that done. I am sure you see a pattern here -- bright and primary colors for me -- I am no pastel-type person! lol!

A New Knitting Project!

I have finally decided on the new knitting project!  Ever since I saw the Aztec Sun Vest in the Spring Interweave Knits magazine, I have not been able to get it out of my mind.  But it wasn't exactly what I wanted to knit.  I did not want a vest, I wanted a slightly longer, short sleeved summer top.  But I just couldn't get the pattern stitch and those cute suns out of my mind!  Making the garment longer was not a problem, but I have never "finagled" with a pattern to the extent of adding sleeves.  So, what to do?  Well, I turned to my Santa Fe Shawl Knit-A-Long buddy, Bron.  You see, besides having "Start-itis", Bron also has a condition called "Change-itis"!  She can take any pattern and make it over into exactly what she wants -- with gorgeous results!  See for yourself with her new creation, Marilyn. (Bron's Blog can be found on my sidebar).  Bron graciously supplied the instructions, ideas and courage, and off to Michaels I went -- the result is the Aztec Sun Top!  I chose Lion Brand Microspun in turquoise and mango for the trim and the suns.  I also decided to omit the stripe at the bottom of the vest as I did not think I wanted to call attention to one of my least positive assets!  :)  So, I am off today to swatch for the sweater.  Nothing like a new project to perk you up!