Back on Track

Okay, I took a little vacation from knitting and blogging because I just wasn't feeling it, but now I'm back.  To try to get myself a little more enthusiastic about my knitting, I cast on a number of projects, hoping that one of them would grab me. Here's what I've got going.

Plain ol' 3x1 ribbed socks using Zitron Life Style.

Meh.

A Debbie Bliss baby dress using DB Rialto, which I fear I'll have to frog because the bottom garter-stitch hem is curling up, and I don't think that can be blocked out. 

Yarn substitutions--not always all they're cracked up to be.

Simple stole, the Heartland Shawl, from Folk Shawls, using a bunch of Koigu I bought on sale years ago. 

This will be quite a long-term project and is inspired by all the baby blankets I've made of Koigu for other people which, upon feeling the slinkiness after blocking, I always wish I could keep for myself.  It's kind of a big baby blanket for the big baby of this house--me.

And, finally, another long-term project:  a girly log-cabin blanket made of Rowan Summer Tweed.  I've loved the colors and texture of this yarn for years but could never figure out what I wanted to do with it.  Then the idea of a log cabin blanket hit me, and I think it's going to turn out great.

My only concern is that the two shades of medium-dark purple are so similar.  The problem is that the three shades tht I've used are the only shades of purple in the ST palette, so I think I'm stuck.  I could ditch one of them and go for a neutral on the outer purple edge, but I'm not too crazy about that idea.  There's also a red berry shade that I might be able use in the middle, bumping the middle winey square to the purple side and going from there, but I think that would upset the pink/purple balance.  I'll probably just stick with the similar purples, which look more distinct up close than they do from a distance.

Opinions, anyone?

Comments

[Sarah]

I think the purples are fine, especially since one is next to that red--makes the purples pop and look different enough. Love the color palette & love the heathered effect of the Summer Tweed--makes the pattern seem a little softer.

I used Zitron Life Style for a pair of socks and while I loved--absolutely loved--knitting with the yarn, the socks were kind of a disaster--I used 2.50mm needles & my gauge was too loose. They got holes in them almost right away & also stretched out considerably when worn. It looks like you're using a smaller needle, though, and I suspect you are not as careless with your handknits as I am with mine.

[Jenn]

I think the purples are great! Happy knitting!