As you know, I’ve been trying to make a point of using up my stash yarns this year. (With mixed results- my Stonecroft Shawl is still sitting next to my computer, waiting to be frogged and re-knit, and I’ve managed to actually make more yarn… but still.)
I’ve mentioned that I have three skeins of a really nice merino-bamboo blend that have been in my stash for literally years- they might even have gone through a couple moves with me. The yarn is lovely- soft, lightly shiny, with a beautiful drape. But, despite the colorway being named “Peacock,” they’re kind of a denim-blue, with gray undertones. It’s a nice enough color, but not something to inspire me to pick them up and knit something big.
Well. I have decided what I want to do with this yarn. If I don’t like the blue on it’s own, why not add something really crazy? Something that’s beyond out-there (for me, anyway). How about something hand-dyed, silky (literally) and fuzzy?
And why not jump on the bandwagon and make something completely out of my wheelhouse? Lace! (Why not?) 3/4 sleeves! (Sure!) Cropped! (Of course!) Girly! (OK!)
That’s right, I’m making a Love Note!
It’s a sweater I’ve had my eye on for a while- it’s so cute, and it looks like it would knit up in about fifteen minutes. And I like the idea of holding a fingering-weight and a mohair/lace-weight together (so not what I usually do, but it looks fun). And what a better way to use up my blue yarn? Might as well have fun while stash-busting.
So I hit up my local yarn store and bought the second-brightest yarn they had. (I almost bought a legit rainbow-colored one, but then I chickened out.) It’s Knitted Wit Fairy Floss in Rock Candy Teal (real peacock colors!).
I wound them up and worked up a swatch, and… it’s so good! I love how the Fairy Floss wakes up the Classic Merino Bamboo, and the Classic Merino Bamboo tones down the craziness of the Fairy Floss. It’s the perfect odd-couple of yarn!
Plus, this lace pattern is super cute!
This sweater’s going to be interesting, I can already tell. Either I’m going to love it and never take it off, or I’m going to wear it once and find a friend to give it to.
But, either way, it’s going to be a fun knit!
Do you ever start projects outside your wheelhouse?
On the Needles 
LOVE those colors together!!! I can’t wait to see the finished sweater!!!!
This is looking beautiful! I’ve had the Love Note on my list for a while, but I cab’t decide if I would love or loathe the fuzziness. I’m currently starting a project sort of our of my comfort zone. It’s a tank top knit in cotton/bamboo yarn. I don’t really wear tanks, and haven’t finished a project in cotton before so we’ll see how it comes out!
Beautiful blues – that sweater’s going to be so soft and comfortable! I’ve toyed with the idea of making one but it’s a bit out there for me as well. 🙂 Maybe I’ll take courage from your FO!