But I already know this about you! Wish I was going to be around tomorrow for more of your revelations. If you really want to put the brakes on? Knit a blanket. That'll keep you away from the sweaters for awhile. Hope to be back to Knitsmiths in a week (barring any unforeseen calamities or misadventures). Have a good week!

Issues, we all have a few! And I love you anyway, despite or maybe even BECAUSE!!! :)
I think stockinette may be non stimulating, but slower? nope. It is mindless and can be done practically while sleeping.
xoxo

I agree with Kerstin, although I knit very fast too blankets always take awhile - that's a good project to slow ya down! I also don't care for variegated yarn...

Showoff! No really, your work is absolutely gorgeous and you are very lucky to be fast (Oh, I wish I had your 'problem'!) and have so many garment to wear. You are a true artisit. Ever thought of selling your work at any nearby shops? Gee, if I owned one I would definately want your work in my shop! Knit-issues...love it- that could be a name of a blog with a double meaning. I have to agree with you on the variegated yarn-issue...it's not always pleasing on the eye...my eyes anyway! have a great weekend and don't put those brakes on too long! I really enjoy your blog and pictures.

Kerstin, a blanket is already in the planning stages! I'm just looking for the perfect pattern.

Sandy, I didn't think about the knitting while sleeping. Emma wrote once that she knits before she falls asleep and projects seem to fly by!

I totally hear what you are saying about variegated yarn. I keep thinking I like it and buying it and then not liking the FO. My dream variegated would only have SUBTLE variations in colors which would only enhance the beauty of the fabric, not make it stripey or blotchy.

I'm with you on the variegated yarn. I want to know how it’s going to work out and I hardly ever like how it turns out for me. But I do love to see garments knitted by others and I just awe over the pattern. I think the not knowing just bugs me. You really posted yet another interesting post. They always are, but this one has me thinking about something that I have wanted to address for a while. I have been thinking about my knits as I try to get a gallery together. I am finding things that I forgot I even knitted, but can remember how much I spent on the yarn. It feels a bit wasteful and for the most part I have had a private rip along to try to make good use of knits gone by that are not being used. Think I am going to find some long term knits too. It will help get knit focused. Thanks!

Well, you could start obsessing about the best friend dolls, like I am. The body goes by real fast. The hair, clothes, and (wince) eyes can take much longer. Mainly because none of it is ever quite right the first time, so I frog and tweak. I've wanted to knit a blanket for a long time, it sounds so relaxing, but it takes SO much yarn. It is a heck of a lot of money to spend for a blanket.

You know, I've been wondering about this... do knitters reach a point where they have enough, or (gasp!) too many knitted garments? Do you start giving them away? Ripping them and reusing the yarn? I'd be curious to hear from knitters who have been at it for 10 years or so. Do you ever have "enough" knit garments or do you keep wanting more?

About variegated yarn: if you do not want to have any patterning in your knitted piece you should knit it as you would do stripes: 2 rows from one ball of yarng, two from other.

Hope this helps
Helen
Tallinn
Estonia

Variegated yarns are like a box of chocolates [to quote a movie philosopher] - you never know what you're gonna get. Linen stitch helps, but they do look better in the skeins unless you have a wondrous modular knitting pattern [still haven't seen one of those - not too chic to look like a potholder on stilts]. Alternating skeins every two rows can make a tank more tiresome than than a Dr. Who scarf. Oy, don't get me started. Some projects, like the Charlotte's Web. are effective in blending. So, I'm still suckered into using variegateds all the time. Interspercing it with Fair Isle helps, but you have certainly hit upon one of the "knitters' dirty secrets here": the love/hate/compulsion relationship with handpaints.

I have the SAME feelings about varigated yarns as well! On numerous occasions, I've bought very expensive yarns most anxious to start a project only to detest the pooling of colors! Tks for the crochet ideas (I'm mostly a knitter but have branched out w/books like Candy Tots and a few other toddler clothes ideas (try doing the argyle crochet sweater for the boys -- it's like intarsia but w/crocheting). Love your sight and comments!

I have the SAME feelings about varigated yarns as well! On numerous occasions, I've bought very expensive yarns most anxious to start a project only to detest the pooling of colors! Tks for the crochet ideas (I'm mostly a knitter but have branched out w/books like Candy Tots and a few other toddler clothes ideas (try doing the argyle crochet sweater for the boys -- it's like intarsia but w/crocheting). Love your sight and comments!

Thank goodness somebody else said it first. I fondle the skeins at my LYS, and when I see a swatch, I move on. When I don't see a swatch, I wonder how knitters have the bravery to spend all that $$, and then say "Ewwwwwwww yuck!" And yet, I'm always still tempted.
Geepsie

You know what would help slow down the "production" process? Learn to spin! Just an idea....

I really relate to the last issue here. I like to have a minimalist wardrobe and that includes not having too many sweaters! Spinning has provided another outlet.

Great post!

I buy lots of handpainteds because the skeins are irresistible. Try to confine it to the fingering weights. To make them usable I knit together with a solid fingering in the darkest color. This really disguises the pooling and gives a worsted gauge.
on the subject of knitting for sons: mine wouldn't wear anything past age 5. Even then he knew he was looking different. But he did love socks. Yours might wear Wonderful Wallabies in Cotton Fleece, plain black, no stitch pattern.
Jennifer

Thanks everyone for your responses! What a relief it is to hear that I'm not the only one who has issues with variegated yarns. I don't have to feel like I'm just not getting it anymore. ;0)

Not sure I'd ever pick up spinning, Melissa. As much as I love the yarns I use and the sweaters I create, I think it's the actual process of knitting that I'm really addicted to.