Like most knitters, I have an incredible backlog of unfinished projects. You know how it is: you get frustrated or bored with something, there’s a new shiny thing that seems so much more interesting, and then you end up with a bunch of half-finished stuff packed away in boxes everywhere. And don’t get my started on all the yarn I randomly bought and never used afterwards …. Since I only have a four page essay due for next semester, I’ll try and remedy this deplorable situation (aka a true first world problem).

Images on the right all taken from original pattern pages: Owls sweater, Marian cowl, Calm sweater, Ice Queen.

1) Owls by Kate Davies // Royal Tweed by Lana Grossa (Bulky, 100% merino).

The sweater is nearly done, as you can see. The only thing that’s missing are the buttons or rather the owls’ “eyes”. They’re missing because I can’t decide whether to use plain white buttons to go along with the tweedy feel of the sweater, or yellow buttons to emulate real owl eyes. (And also because I’m dreading the chore of sewing on 36 buttons, shhhh.) More on this project in a few days, but I can already tell you that it was loads of fun.

2) Marian by Jane Richmond // Crystal by Novita (Super Bulky, 51% acrylic, 18% mohair, 18% nylon, 13% polyester).

This is Finnish yarn my friend Jasmin sent me as a present, which I think is all kinds of awesome. I love yarn from different countries, it adds history. <3 As you can see, I haven’t cast on anything yet, but I like wearing cowls in big yarn. The pattern is simple enough to let the yarn shine (well, sparkle), too. It’s gonna be very dramatic!

3) Calm by Kim Hargreaves // Damasco by Fischer Wolle (Fingering, 50% mohair, 50% acrylic).

This sweater was cast on waaaaaaayy back, at least three years ago. I was a naive little novice back then: the pattern seemed simple enough for a beginner in sweater knitting, so I cast on full of enthusiasm. Turns out mohair isn’t an ideal yarn for your first sweater project! Who’d have thought. Maybe now that I’ve finished a few sweaters it’ll be easier? Fingers crossed!

4) Ice Queen by Rosemary Hill // Rowan Kidsilk Haze (Lace, 70% mohair, 30% silk).

It’s pure laziness that I haven’t finished that one yet. The last rows of this pattern call for beading plus a weird cably twisty thing, which means a repeat takes ages and I just don’t have the patience for that. It’s a lovely, LOVELY project, though – the yarn as well as the pattern is gorgeous.

…. and then there are what I like to call the problem children: that means I’m stumped when it comes to this yarn. I love it, but I don’t know what to make with it.

Malabrigo Lace (Lace, 100% merino)

Images:    a (DodoBird)   b   c (lowercasejen)   d (Agent Wool)

Here I know at least which direction I’ll take with the yarn. I’ve had Jane Sowerby’s “Victorian Lace Today” for a few years now, but never felt up to the challenge. I’m probably not gonna decide in the next few days. I need to be in the mood for intricate lace knitting, and right now I can’t muster the enthusiasm for it.

Malabrigo Rios (Worsted, 100% merino)

Images: a (Hilary Smith Callis), b (Susan Crawford)

This one. This one! I just can’t decide. I have enough for a cowl or a hat or mittens, but it just doesn’t feel right. It’s a wonderful yarn and it shouldn’t be made in 453rd accessory in worsted yarn that I won’t even wear that much because I have 452 others in the same weight. I really, really want to knit a sweater from it, even though that’ll mean I have to acquire another skein somewhere. At first I was thinking about Hilary Smith Callis “Betty Minisweater”, but I prefer cardigans that actually reach my hips. Right now I’m all for Susan Crawford’s “Quick Work in Thick Wool”, but who knows. I’ll probably decide on a different pattern four times until I actually cast on something.

Check out the other WIPs from Tami’s Amis WIP Wednesday!