My Mother-in-Law sweater

This is the cardigan I made my MIL for Christmas. Not nearly as involved or intimidating (or impressive) as Nancy's. It's knit from the top-down on sizes 9 and 6 circulars, with Elann cotton yarn. You can see the pattern here. (It's number 9725) My favorite thing about it are the buttons. I bought them from the clearance bin at JoAnn Fabrics years ago. I know my MIL will love them.


Right now I'm working on a pair of merino and cashmere socks for my FIL.

What's Next?

See my problem? Too many choices! The one thing I'm sure of is that this one's for me.

That said, I'm trying to zero in on my next project and am having trouble settling in on a pattern. Let me tell you what's what.

1. Oat Couture's West Side Raglan has had my attention for a year or more. Easy-peasy. Wearable. Maybe Rowan Denim? Or one of the stretchy Schachenmayer yarns I purchased from Elann at prices so good they bordered on obscene.

2. This is SELMA, a freebie from the Berroco site. I can easily picture it knitted up in Denim Silk from my stash.

3. See that man's top-down V-neck from Knitting Pure & Simple? Wouldn't that be slouchy and wearable and wonderful in Rowan Denim, all faded and soft and washed?

4. The pattern for the Lorna's Laces cardi is spectacular: top down and the only seaming is a tiny portion of the underarm. Which yarn??

5. I love love love this KP&S top-down cardi. I adore the seed stitch edging. I love the cord tie. I can see this in pure wool (not for me but I can see it) or some lovely silky blend. This is calling to me big time.

6. I purchased the Swing Top pattern at mecca (aka Patternworks) almost two years ago. I also purchased the Soy Silk (in turquoise) with which to make it. I still love both the pattern and the yarn but can't seem to motivate myself to do anything with either. Any suggestions?

See my dilemma? I'm not a fast knitter. This will be a major commitment of time. Not to mention the fact that, like Dallas and THE Wendy before me, I want to make a new "old" sweater. I want something instantly familiar, instantly comfortable, instantly a favorite.

Which one do you prefer? Any suggestions on yarn? Technique?

HELP!

HAPPY ENDING: The Top Down Sweater Is Finished!

I am so excited that I am actually jumping up and down here in central NJ.

See that sweater? That is my FINISHED top-down. Actally, it's Goldisox's finished top-down sweater. I managed to pry it off him for this occasion and posed it on a dressmaker's dummy that had been suitably padded to hide her curvaceous torso.

I knitted the last stich and wove the last errant thread on Valentine's Day which made it all the sweeter.

Am I proud of myself? Are you kidding? You're talking to the woman who had trouble with a washcloth!

I am delighted, over the moon, ridiculously excited, and inordinately proud every time I see Goldisox put it on. I always wondered if I was a process or a product kind of girl. Well, I found out. Knitting this was great fun but it was nothing compared to the thrill of seeing someone I love actually wear it.

Details: Knitting Plain and Simple pattern

Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky in Mocha Heather (around 25 skeins)

#6 and #9 US

Top down in the round

Raglan sleeves

Started: around 1/15/2007

Finished: 2/14/2007

Pure bliss!!