The pattern and supplies for the Urban Aran (cardigan version). As I previously mentioned, it was a challenge laying my hands on the pattern--everyone was out of it (though Ingrid generously offered to loan me her copy; that's Ingrid who just had a beautiful baby and is still blogging and commenting more than those of us who get a full night's sleep! Thank you Ingrid, but I tend to scribble on my patterns.) so when I saw it for sale at the Knitting Warehouse, I kind of panicked and bought it. And the yarn.I know some people turn their noses up at Patons Shetland Chunky because it is only 25% wool and the rest is Akkkkkrylic. But it's really soft. And washable. And it doesn't look like spun plastic. If I could have found the right weight and color in a superwash wool as soft as the Swish worsted I am currently knitting with on the other sweater, I would have bought it. But it seems like most chunky yarns have an itch factor that I am not equipped to handle.
I'm this far on the top down wrap cardigan:
Well, truth be told, I'm a little further along because it is a great brainless pattern to knit on during Ian's piano lessons or while watching videos. And I have recently discovered another TV series on DVD worth watching--the Canadian show Slings and 
Arrows. As one who is perhaps overly familiar with the personalities and egos of people involved in theater, I am having a wonderful time watching this series which pokes gentle fun at a theater company and festival that closely resembles The Stratford Festival. There are even regular Stratford Fest actors in the cast, most notably Stephen Ouimette who I saw in a fantastic Waiting for Godot. I'm only on the first season though I hear William Hutt is prominent in season 3. The Ann Arbor District Library has the whole series on DVD, so if you are looking for an excellent way to retreat from this endless winter (6 inches of snow on Wednesday! Up to 8 more forecast for tomorrow!) and get some of your knitting done, give this a try.
3 comments:
I think that will be the perfect yarn, really. Also it will be easier to match gauge without washing changing the gauge. And it may wear longer without stretching funny. And isn't the point to make something comfortable and wearable? And I confess I bought a Paton's pattern booklet last week and it arrived in the mail yesterday and you're just confirming my impulse.
Sarah--
what Patons pattern are you contemplating? Always glad to have a fellow impulsive person in my midst!
I adore Slings & Arrows! I watched the opening credits avidly every time, because I love the song:
Cheer up Hamlet,
Chin up Hamlet,
Buck up you melancholy Dane.
So, your uncle is at hand,
Murdered Dad and married Mum,
That's really no excuse to be as glum as you've become.
So, wise up Hamlet,
Rise up Hamlet,
Buck up and sing the new refrain.
Your incessant monologizing fills the castle with ennui,
Your antic disposition is embarrassing to see,
And by the way you sulky brat, the answer is To Be!
You're driving poor Ophelia insane!
So, shut up, you rogue and peasant!
Grow up, it's most unpleasant!
Cheer up you melancholy Dane.
... Just the thing for a cold winter night!
P.S. Those interested might also like "Oor Hamlet" or "Three-Minute Hamlet," a song by Adam McNaughtan that takes you through the play in 15 beautiful verses. You can find it at http://www-cs.canisius.edu/~salley/Bard.book/three.hamlet.html and various other places - some with more Scottish dialect than others.
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