Thursday I found a sweater pattern that I’d love to make for Vince. He keeps saying he doesn’t want me to make him a sweater because, in his opinion, he can find a clearance sweater at Walmart for $5 and that works just as well, but I think he would feel special if I made him a sweater and he saw how much prettier it is than a clearance sweater, and how good it feels. So, I began looking for yarn. Because Vince is a man (yes!), his sweaters are bigger and require more yarn and because there are so many cables, that means even more yarn. I was thinking I’d use Cascade 220 – which is a sturdy yarn on the less expensive side. I needed 15 skeins. That’s a lot. So, I started looking at my spreadsheet and found that I have 9 skeins of Cascade 220 in Charcoal Grey, which is actually the color I wanted to use.
That meant I only needed to order 6 skeins of yarn to make his sweater because the dye lots will probably be just fine in Cascade 220. I searched through every tub in the sewing room and could not find that yarn. I haven’t searched through the tubs in the house yet. It was purchased in November, 2017 and it could be in a tub in the house. I’m going to look some more today.
But what I did find was this.
It’s Queensland’s Kathmandu. I was thinking about making a sweater in Aran weight yarn but I was thinking I didn’t have much Aran weight yarn and probably nothing that would work for the sweater I was wanting to make. I was very happy to find the bag of yarn with 6 skeins so I sat down and calculated . . darn it! I needed 7 skeins so that wouldn’t work.
As I continued to search for the other yarn, I came across another bag, in a different tub and it had 8 skeins of the same Kathmandu yarn.
Why did I buy the same yarn twice? And why do I not remember even buying it once? Must have been the Yarn Fairy! The 6 skeins were purchased in September, 2015 and the 8 skeins were purchased in August, 2016.
The Kathmandu won’t work for Vince’s sweater because the yarn is more mottled and I want more of a solid for his, so the cables will show up. At least the Kathmandu will work for the sweater I wanted to make for me. Today I’m going to search the tubs of yarn in the house and see if I can find the Cascade 220. I’d love to make that sweater and surprise him.
Wanda Jordan says
Well I would ask Vince first of he would seem wear a sweater with cables. I don’t think It seem a men’s cable sweater in years I would need you to make and him not wear it. May be ask Chad his opinion .Just !my thought .
Wanda Jordan says
Sorry this tablet changes words and type is so small due to all he ads
Sibyl says
Judy a while ago you had talked about Vince wanting a sweater, he had chosen yarn and ordered it according to your post. You had said you were going to make it later closer to the fall. Can’t remember what colors he had chosen–but you had a pattern also. Since I don’t knit, I didn’t bookmark it or anything–but do remember you talking about it. Maybe if you can find that post might be an option of what he might like.
Sibyl says
Found the posting: https://patchworktimes.com/2019/03/01/vince-wants-yarn/
Judy Laquidara says
Yes. That’s a pattern he chose and I plan to do that for the 4th quarter ESK Knit Along but I wanted to make a surprise sweater that’s really special . . even though I know he won’t wear it.
Tee says
“even though I know he won’t wear it” – sorry to be blunt, but why make it then? Not that you have to justify anything to me or your other readers, but just think about it. Seems like a big project, like the quilt I made my husband (extra long so his extra long legs will be covered) that I have never seen him use. Every time I refold it, I grumble about it. I am ready to give it away.
Judy Laquidara says
I guess I have to hope that at some point, he would wear it. Even though there’s a good chance he won’t wear it, I’m kinda tired of hearing him say “You make sweaters for everyone but me!”
I enjoy the process of making it and if I’m not knitting it for him, I’d be knitting something for myself and goodness knows, I don’t need anything else. It’s a beautiful sweater and only in a man’s size, though I could make it for myself and use a smaller size.
Donna in KS says
Did you show us the sweater pattern? Years, years ago I knit a sweater for my husband, gold and beige with cables.
We both liked the sweater! But we were still newly weds, so he may have been just saying and wearing it to please a young bride!!! Yes, Judy, I did knit once upon a time but have forgotten much!
Karen says
Boy, does this bring back a memory – shortly after we got married I decided to knit Bob a sweater for Christmas. I found a pattern and bought the yarn. It was a silk blend and pricy for the times (40 yrs ago). I finished the sweater and we could have both worn it at the same time! So…..I frogged the whole thing and started over – pretty much the same outcome although once I saw how big it was going to be I quit knitting. Checking gauge was not on my radar. LOL
Judy Laquidara says
You reminded me of Vince’s first sock. I have to find that thing and share a photo.
dezertsuz says
Together, those two stashes mean two sweaters of 7 skeins! How fortunate that the yarn fairy can see the future. =)
Judy Laquidara says
Yes and I love that yarn.