Planning

I've been thinking about the afghan. Or just afghans in general. I'd like to knit one for my home - something that would be warm and cozy, and that I would feel very proud of. I've been thinking about it, reading, looking at stitch patterns, searching Ravelry high and low. I took out Cover Up by Nicki Epstein from the library to see if any of those patterns were what I was looking for. I do like the Wedgewood afghan (white with blue applique) and the Diamond Lace afghan, but they aren't the kind of thing I'm really craving right now. I also like the Craftsman Afghan by Knit Picks, but, again, it's not exactly what I was thinking of. Also, I would probably do it in a cooler color scheme, blues and greens. Anyway, I do have a sort-of pattern sketched out, but it wasn't totally working for me. It seemed fragmented and didn't have all the things I wanted in it. Then I was flipping through the latest issue of Interweave Knits magazine and found the Yggdrasil Afghan. Yes!

It's essentially what I was looking for, with gorgeous cabling and braiding and a tree theme. A great archetypal tree in the center. This was the grounding, earthy motif I wanted. Perfect for a housewarming for me no matter how many times I move. Bonus: mythological reference in the title and designer's inspiration. I'm dying to start it, but I know I need to get a little more experienced reading charts first! Check out the pdf file (free download!) on the Interweave site. It's complex. But I think it would be so worth it. On Ravelry, there's a great picture of the bedspread size in the author's collection of projects, which is what I'd like to do. A blanket can never be big enough for me, and whether I use it as a bedspread or a nice big blanket for the couch, I'll be pleased with it.

The pattern calls for Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton. I'm not sure I want to use cotton. Certainly I want to use a natural fiber, but I had been thinking of wool primarily. The option of organic cotton is attractive. I'm not sure about colors - I'm thinking of probably a cream/natural color though a sagey green might be nice. I have noted that for the largest size of this blanket, 37 skeins are called for. That's over 3,800 yards of fiber. I'm trying not to think about what a dent that will put in my small bank account. This would be an investment piece, like my black wool suit. And I could always scour Michael's and A.C. Moore with coupons every week and build up my 37 skein supply slowly. (Being careful to get the same dye lot if I can. Though with a natural or undyed shade, maybe it would be easier.) Actually I just did the math: 37 skeins multiplied by approximately $7 per skein is $259. You know, that's just a tad less than last month's heating bill. And had I had such a deliciously warm blanket, the bill may have been less. Yes, it's certainly an investment piece in many ways. A means to greater energy efficiency and an heirloom. Plus organic cotton. It's a crunchy granola hipster's dream. (Not that I am those things, just sometimes they fit....my friends always did call me a hippie.) What more could I want?

I won't answer....oh why not? Dissertation participants, a job/post-doc/fellowship for September, a city where both DB and I would be happy, and an MFA program for DB - that's not so much, is it??? I should get back to my Cafe au Lait mitts. They are moving along slowly, though I have a feeling if I work at them more they will go quickly. It's been more my slowness lately and wanting to read instead. Also, all the aforementioned afghan research.

I finished The Thirteenth Tale. Wonderful! Definitely in the vein of Daphne du Maurier and Jane Eyre for those of you who enjoy gothic ghost stories. Makes me want to read The Turn of the Screw which so happens to be sitting on our bookcase. But I started Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton, lent to me and recommended. I try to finish all books I start. Not always the most enjoyable policy, but I feel sort of obligated once I open a book to read to the end....that no matter how awful it is, especially if it came highly recommended, there must be some redeeming quality to it. I'm finding more and more this isn't so (Twilight, I'm thinking of you!) so maybe my policy will change for my own happiness. So I'm off to do something that will make me happy. Not sure if it's reading or knitting, but either will be perfectly fine for me this evening.