birth of my FLAK

I ordered Janet Szabo's FLAK pattern a while back. The reviews I've read have been overwhelmingly positive and I do love an Aran sweater. Ordered some Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks (also do love Knit Picks) and have commenced swatching.

I do not love swatching.

I've started with 4.5 mm needles because they felt right. The last time I knit an Aran sweater I used 4.0 mm needles and the sweater turned out a little smaller than I would have liked, though I got gauge in my swatch. Hence the switch to 4.5. Preliminary stitch count, however, indicates that I'm going to have to drop down to 4.0 again. I'm going to finish this swatch and then knit another on the 4.0s. Then I'll wash 'em both and see where we stand.

See what a good little knitter I'm being? Knitting multiple swatches and washing them too! The washing part is a first for me.

Ms Szabo also strongly suggests swatching the cables. I bought plenty of yarn and probably have a few good years left so I'm going to heed her advice. And I'll start the sweater in, what, 2015 or so? I think my goal will be to have the swatches done before the Olympics. Then I can do the traditional cast on during the opening ceremonies, though I hold no delusion that I'll finish the project before the games end.

Meanwhile I have a pile of mindless projects to keep me busy when I couldn't be bothered with cables. I'm still working on the basic sweater from Jacqueline Fee's Sweater Workshop. I'm doing it in plain stockinette, solid colour, incredibly boring. There's a first sock kicking around the floor somewhere. And I'm crocheting a very simple baby blanket for charity.