Size Matters

 Size really matters when it comes to all things knit or crocheted.  And just what did you think I was going to talk about my blogging friends?  When I came home from the lovely yarn sale this Malabrigo Kettle Dyed

Merino Wool jumped into my hands and frankly would not let me put it down.  We all know about my love affair with Malabrigo, but this chunky yarn would just not leave me alone.  I swear I was going to crochet another cowl with it, but it was absolutely insistent that I use it with a bit of knitting.  It shouted to me that it was the perfect yarn for a nice cable or two, and you know I have to agree.  Does your yarn talk to you? 

 I made the above cowl from the Nederland Circle Scarf pattern by Cecily Glowik MacDonald, from the new Interweave Knits Weekend Magazine.  The pattern calls for a large circle scarf that you wrap around your neck.  I thought a cowl would be better so I cut the pattern in half, used a size 9 needle, it calls for an 8, and casted on.  I realized quickly that the cowl was going to be a bit narrow in the circumference and not wide enough so I actually added another half of the pattern.  It is really nice and approximately 6 1/2 inches wide with an 18 inch diameter.  That is until I decided to cast on again. 

 This cowl was made on size 11 needles, the recommended needle size for this yarn is 7-9, so 11 was a big jump.  I also casted on 18 more stitches than the previous cowl.  I did this as I didn't like how the small cable butted up against a section of knit stitches.  I like it much better after I added 2 purl stitches after the small cable.  Can you tell I like things to be symmetrical?  This baby is 24 inches in circumference and about 6 3/4 inches wide while just completing the 16 row pattern, twice.  I love it.  It is softer, and squishier, and mushier and well all around much more lovely.  These are a breeze to stitch up so I would recommend this pattern highly.  Modify, it if you like, but be sure to make it on large enough needles.

 Here they are together, can you see the difference with this pathetic lighting?  Sorry we were having a bad storm when I took these so you have to live with my kitchen lights.  I will give the top one as a Christmas present and probably keep the bottom one for myself as it is lacking in the yummieness factor of the one above.

 OK, onto my next dilemma.  I have been knitting away on the sweater above.  I am knitting the back, and sides at the same time, so I have only completed 10 inches.  See the Malabrigio pulled me away as it was so much more exciting to knit.  I have a lot more sweater to go and frankly am bored out of my mind.  As I was pondering this situation I came across this amazing vest in the new Summer 2011 Interweave Knits Magazine.  I am thinking that this will be a far more fun project and I will wear it a ton, same yarn, I will just rip out the sweater and start again.  Any thoughts?