A Swatch and a few WIPs

So, I knit a swatch as promised. I think I'm going to like this sweater. But, I have a lot of figuring to do before I get started.

#1. What is the back neck measurement?
#2. How many stitches do I knit per inch?
#3. How many stitches do I cast on for the back? For the sleeves? For the front?
#4. Is this a cardigan or a pullover?
#5. How deep do I want the front neck-line to be?
#6. How far apart do I want the stripes to be?

You can see that I've decided to do the sweater from the neck down and that I'm going to wing it. Freestyle, in other words.

So, since these things take time I've thought I would put it aside and let it simmer on the back burner for awhile. I'm not going to start the sweater until I get a few other things taken care of.

This afghan has been languishing in my WIP drawer for quite a while. I put it away because I thought it was too lumpy and would not block properly. Well, I took it off the needles, got it wet, wrung it out, stretched it as far as it could go and pinned it for all it was worth. After it dried, I spread it out and lo and behold, it was fine! So, back on the needles it went and I've been plugging away at it ever since. Because it's an afghan it will take a while to finish. I had five balls of yarn and I'm almost done with the second. It's not a car knitting project since it's so large so will only be done at my leisure at home.

Hemlock Ring Afghan

I've started my "Grace." I could not resist! The yarn is lovely and smooth - such a joy to work with. But I need to put that aside and let it call to me until I finish the button bands on the pullover I have steeked.

My "Aspen Yoke" will be finished in time for summer. Too bad it's 100% wool! But I think I will get a lot of use out of this one, that's for sure!

I'm working on the second sleeve of my "Periwinkle" cardigan. Not sure if I really like it any more but it's something I can wear with black. After I'm done with that sleeve I will be working on the neck and then the button bands. It won't be long - maybe tonight - that I'll be finishing this, since this is the project I'm concentrating on the most.

You will be seeing a lot of these objects in the future because I am determined to finish them all before I start anything else. Oh, I do have three car knitting projects but that's for another post.