Diary of a Sweater

So A few posts ago, I mentioned that I was starting to knit a sweater for myself.  I had no intention of ever doing anything so crazy, until I walked into Mustard Seed Dreams (our quaint little yarn shop) and saw it, saw the beautiful kimono style sweater that just looked like it was supposed to be for me.  I saw myself snuggled up watching the snow fall outside while sipping a cup of cocoa and reading a good book.  The fact that I never seem to have time to do any of that (much less time  to actually knit this thing) didn't cross my mind until after the purchase of the pattern and seven skeins of yarn was made.  So, I thought if I was doing this, I would take you all on this journey with me. 

So this is my sweater!  You can see it can't you?

Most yarn is sold in what they call a "hank" That twisted up bundle that you see laying on my floor. You have to un-twist it and actually wind it into a skein (rhymes with rain).  And here you thought you could just pull out those needles and start knitting that sweater this very second. Nope, first I have to take those seven hanks and wind them up. Believe it or not the knitting world has tools to make that happen.  A "swift" holds the untwisted hank and rotates freely while you spin the handle on the "ball-winder"  Ta-da a ball of yarn!  (Yes, the swift does indeed  look like something your grandmother owned.) 

Speaking of Grandmas, I love being the youngest person at open-knit night.  I  love having a sweet old lady tell me how cute I am.  I love it, when they treat me like a little kid and almost pat me on the head when I  learn something new.  It does wonders for my self-esteem as a thirtysomething mother of 3.

Six more skeins, and I will be ready to start my sweater!  I hope to be able to wear it once before summer comes around again.  I kid you not, this could be the ugliest sweater mankind has ever known, but I will wear it everywhere!  I will wear it to bed, to exercise, to lounge, whatever!  I will keep you posted...