Oh, man, I've got it bad. Startitis, the frustrated variant. That condition that makes whatever you are working on pale in comparison to those projects that you contemplate.
The combination of the long slog through tumbling blocks (only half an arm to go!) and those Rhinebeck purchases sitting patiently in a pile has been a perfect breeding ground for startitis. But blocks is almost done, as is harami, sitting happily atop it in the photo above.
What next, you may ask? Well, since you asked, I've got a slew of things lined up in my personal queue, ready to go with yarns that have been swatched and found fitting.
Three of them are from one Debbie Bliss book, "Alpaca Silk Two":
I did start this one a few months ago, before I became aware that if I didn't focus on blocks, it wouldn't be done in 2008, my target year. I've had this Classic Elite Inca Alpaca yarn for a while. It's been several projects, but I think this is the keeper.
This alpaca twist yarn is one of my Rhinebeck scores. I think it would make a beautiful ruffle-edged cardigan. And after my sad time with the ruffled cardigan from Runway Knits (see sidebar), I'm ready for another go at this style.
No one over six months of age should be caught dead wearing this insipid shade of baby blue. I think this sweater will be fabulous, however, in this black wool/mohair blend from Brooks Farms.
Moving away from the Debbie Bliss book, the incredible handspun I bought from Windspun Yarns will be perfect for this Interweave Fall 2008 number:
And finally, I have discovered that since I started lace knitting, I always have to have a lace project on the needles. I bought the beautiful "Lace Knitting in Estonia" by Nancy Bush a few weeks ago, and I think this shawl might look nice in the hard-to-see coral cashmere lace weight pictured below that I mistakenly bought for gloves (too thin!) this summer.
I know the beautiful pattern of the lace shows much better than the yarn here, but I promise, there will be plenty of yarn action once this gets going.
How do you handle your startitis? I am contemplating a day of casting on, maybe over the winter break. Realistically, though, I think each one of these will sneak onto the needles well before then, in a moment when I feel very confident about hitting my deadline on blocks.
Thanks to everyone who has voted for at least one favorite object (see previous post). I must say, it's been an enjoyably motley vote, with more than one person simply refusing to choose one project. Don't worry, it won't disqualify you to like more than one project. That would be silly. After all, the whole point of the vote was to get compliments on my knitting in exchange for a chance to win some yarn, so more is better!
I've been walking around saying "I'll go tally the votes", just like Jeff Probst (yes, I'm an original "Survivor" fan) all day. Tomorrow, I will go tally the votes, but for today, it's still not too late!