I joined the MAL for the joy of knitting a don’t-have-to-think cardi in one of the new yarns … after Margaux mentioned that she’s using a solid color for Conus. That was the ice breaker, because I’m not much of a vivid color person.
When I started, it bothered me to think that I am knitting a “new yarn” project but still had not sampled the new Yarn Tasting kit for spring/summer 2024. The idea came up to integrate the yarn tasting kit into the Conus. I’m loving it … it is a perfect way to explore the new yarns, just knitting them up in stockinette as part of a garment that I will actually wear afterwards.
March 29, 2024
I knit up Tillie, Vintage Baby Handpaint, and Vermazza, in this sequence, starting right after the “Right Sleeve” increases were complete.
It’s a co-incidence, but now I’m exactly (ok, 2 rows too many) at the “Right Body” beginning.
I’m so glad I did this … just working with the new yarns from the Yarn Tasting kit in plain stockinette has been a perfect way to get to know them.
I think my current favorite for knitting is Tillie, but I like them all and they all have very distinctive features which I like (Vintage Baby: soft and beautiful color development; Vermazza: Great summer yarn, and the construction adds a great visual effect to the knitting).
For the other side I will use the remaining three yarns … if you plan on using your Yarn Tasting kit for your Conus, your colors may vary: My suggestion is to layout the little yarn balls, three for each side, in a sequence that you find pleasing, then knit them up that way. “Who goes where” really doesn’t matter as long as you like the visuals. If you have fewer rows than needed, just pick-up the Bozzolo and continue with that.
April 9, 2024
On to the finish line … I picked up the stitches for the collar this morning.
I think I will work some short rows so that the collar will fold over instead of leaning against the neck as shown in the pattern pictures.
Today’s picture also gives a glimpse of the Yarn Tasting Kit yarns. I am very pleased with how it worked out.
From left to right: Tillie, Vintage Baby Handpaint, Vernazza, then Pima 100, Bozzolo, and Seaspun.
April 11, 2024
Done!
For the folded shawl short rows I worked:
10 times wrap-and-turn after adding 4 sts (5 times on each side)
Then wrap-and-turn after adding 6 sts until reaching the beginning of the ribbed hem.
I had enough yarn because I used the Yarn Tasting kit, but I still have about 1.5 balls left over.
I’d call it a cropped cardi … it fits perfectly, and the yarn is so, so soft … it’s a delight.
Still have to block it, but otherwise I consider it done.