Skein to Sweater, finding the IDEA

If you've been following my progress on this, you know I've been in the thinking stage over the past few weeks.  Because once the yarn is chosen, and even when I do have a vague idea, there's still the process of exactly how it will come together. 

Last we checked in here on the blog, I mentioned that I had a spring cardigan in mind.  My vision was something easy fitting, casual,  My brain was stuck on the words "cozy" and "bold" - but I still also saw this as being somewhat delicate.  Sometimes I start swatching with a firm idea of what I want to do with a yarn, but this time I was just listening to the Pishkun, with adjectives as my touchstone.

When I'm allowed to let creativity rule the process (read that as no deadline) it's fun to just spin out for a while and try new things. I can get messy and disorganized and distracted, and if I don't find what I want, I get a drink and can start again the next day - until things feel right.

I used my usual stitch resources - but I also went back through old notes and swatches, charted out some weird Russian motifs I'd saved on Pinterest, found pics I'd taken of sweaters in TJ Maxx and figured out those motifs.  I just swatched, and swatched and frogged a ton.

It was a great balance to the other things on my plate - two sweaters on the needles, two patterns to write, a test knit to organize.  I'd work on those things in the AM and when my brain needed a break at around 2 or 3, I'd head to the dining room table and keep on playing.  (We've been eating in the kitchen or in front of the fireplace these past few weeks....)

The thing about creativity in designing a knitting pattern is that it ISN'T exactly unlimited. "Do I love it?" isn't the only question I have to ask, so a lot of good swatches still don't work. 

Each time I found something I liked, I would need to translate it into sweater construction - does it  look good? does it make sense on X part of a sweater? is it enjoyable to work? is it easy enough for an average knitter? do I want to figure this out in different sizes? is it appropriate for a sweater? does it bias?  will it snag? does it look like something that's been done before?  etc.  I go on Ravelry to double check that it's something that feels new, that it doesn't look like anyone else's published design.  I never want to pair a similar stitch pattern and construction together in a way that looks like something another designer has done before, creating something that looks like someone else's work, as that's not fair to them or impressive for me, right?  Overall, swatching means that questions need to be asked. I have to look at what I'm doing with a really critical eye, and often things don't make the cut. 

As I thought about the above, construction details kind of spun around as well. There are an unlimited number of cardigan options out there - shawl collar? crew neck? Cowl? Set in sleeves?  What kind of shoulders? Detail all over or just in one area? Is the stitch motif the background or is it a feature? What kind of sleeves?  I'd sketch a new shape or detail of the sweater and try to find a motif to lend itself to that element, and sometimes I would just open a stitch dictionary, get drawn to a stitch, and sketch a detail or a garment to showcase that stitch. Which of course, often just led to over complicating things. Swatch, rinse, repeat.  (Deep Breath)

Finally, I was hooked on this guy.

I stayed on this lovely stitch pattern for a bit, sketching cardigan ideas, but I couldn't reconcile a simple way to make it lean the opposite way that wasn't annoying to work, and my love of symmetry (fear of bias) wouldn't let me continue.  (Stay tuned though, because a SHAWL in this....)

I played with cables some more, and decided I wanted something more open.  I had a diamond texture I really did love until I remembered that my Paloma cardigan (although bulky) was a little similar to what I was again about to knit in pink, I considered panels of texture alternating with stockinette, and I swatched many options that just didn't do it for me.

And then I found this (below).  I really liked the rhythm of it.  And the look of it.

The beauty of this yarn is that it has a point of view.  It's a little rustic, and it's got a beautiful twist, as many Cormos and Rambouillet yarns tend to have.  Those characteristics add a little texture to the yarn itself, and that texture can fight for attention in some stitch patterns. The more I swatched, the more I realized I needed a little geometry, a little stockinette, and a little positive/negative space.  And symmetry.

Right?  So, I'm calling the swatch bit done now.  I love the transition to ribbing, the look and feel of this, the way it works in my final idea, and how it showcases the Pishkun.

I'll leave my overall sweater thoughts for next time, but I blocked this, went to sleep, woke up, looked again, and sent an email to Candice over at The Farmer's Daughter.  In the email, I shared this image, plus my sketch, a summary, and a few more detailed thoughts and I was so excited when she wrote back that she's on board.

Yarn is in the mail.

Stay tuned....