Talk me Down?
Okay, folks … I need pros and cons, please.
First, there’s Sylvi. A pattern which I can’t get out of my head. (Lord, it’s just gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.)
But, it’s knit in bulky yarn–something I simply don’t have in my stash.
But, Webs is having closeout sales on two, great yarns: Riverstone Chunky and Cascade 109.
I’d need 10 skeins of the Riverstone (that’s $50) or 15 skeins of Cascade ($60) … certianly reasonable for such gorgeousness.
But, of course, I did just buy a big bagful of yarn on Saturday.
Did I mention that the Cascade is available in the same Burnt Orange that I bought in the 220 version on Saturday, and which is just a GREAT color … not to mention darn flattering with my hair?
But at the same time, money is scary tight.
Quick … what do YOU think I should do?
Oh, and I DID already buy a copy of the pattern. Because, well, I had to!
Click here to subscribe via RSS
Follow me on Twitter!
Tannenbaum.
House Calls
Or…… you could buy the recommended yarn! Briggs & Little is very inexpensive, and coming from Canada, you get an extra 20% off due to the exchange!
Ruth’s last blog post..Progress: weaving
ummmm, sit tight for now? you’ve got the pattern. unless you lose it or recycle it (it’s happened before!), it’ll be there later, and bulky yarn will be on sale again. i know that’s not what you wanna hear (i KNOW, lol), but maybe it’s the best decision. you could always ask for the yarn from other family members as a christmas present (not your parents)
minnie’s last blog post..Remind me
heh heh.. I am so NOT talking you out of this one - I just ordered the pattern also. This is a must. make. it. now.
I’m looking to buy some yarn locally - but those are great deals on the ones you mention.
Teyani’s last blog post..A brag and a bit of knit
I’m not going to talk you down either. That is one stunning pattern.
I wont talk u down either. I too bought the pattern when it came out 2weeks ago and have 13 skeins of Rowan Cocoon in my stash and mine is going to be more expensive , oyyyyyy……….
It’s a tough call because I am one for praticality when it comes to money in tough times. You really have to think about what you feel comfortable with during this time. Like, will you feel guilty for spending that money right now on yarn? I myself have been wanting to get yarn for a jacket in Glam Knits that I have drooled over ever since I saw Stefanie Japel wearing it in her cover jacket photo. I’ve priced out yarn but have held off on purchasing it because I’m worried I might need that money down the road. So I can totally relate to you wanting to get that yarn and wanting to start that gorgeous sweater asap. You have to make a choice that you will feel totally comfortable with in the long run.
Deborah’s last blog post..Sew Much?
Personally, if money was really really tight then I would hold off. However, that being said, if there is a good sale going on - chances are that you will never make that project again for cheaper.
My attitude is this - I don’t buy a lot of shoes, clothes, pocketbooks (well, I do buy alot of pocketbooks but cheap ones). If I want to spend my fun money on yarn then I go for it. As long as it doesn’t interfere with the family budget it’s all good.
Not much help, huh?
Donna’s last blog post..Baby Sweater on Two Needles
I picture it stretching and dragging behind you on the ground… it’s pretty, but - practical??
Chris’s last blog post..Giving thanks
Money is really really tight……you just bought all that other yarn…….and as Minnie said, you have the pattern.
So, the bottom line is this…..do you really NEED the yarn or do you really WANT the yarn? If it’s an absolute necessity then buy the yarn. If it’s an absolute desire then you need to pass on the yarn.
It might be time to separate the needs from the wants…..
All good advice above. Another consideration, bulky yarn. do you enjoy knitting with it or is that the reason there’s none in stash. Can you see yourself working with the yarn long enough to finish that? If so, I’d go for the riverstone (which is a gorgeous yarn) or wait.
Ok, I’m going to be brutally honest here my dear. You are vertically challenged. That is a LONG sweater. Is it pretty? Yes. Will you look good wearing a pattern that is that long and made with yarn that thick considering your stature? Not sure. I certainly wouldn’t, as bulky yarn tends to obscure body shape. While it is pretty, you could instead make a cardigan or a pullover using that cable you love so much with yarn you already have. Without breaking the bank on new yarn. I would do a swatch in a different weight yarn and see what you come up with. Of course, you were talking about an afghan, using that cable pattern on an afghan would be lovely, and if you washed it and fulled it a little the flowers would pop even more…
Just some thoughts…
If you are short, you will need to modify the pattern. Do some of the math and then, if you still feel you need it, go for it. Just make it up in another place. I know you can.
Sylvie is one of those patterns that makes me smile just because it exists. I feel no need to knit it, but for those who do, double-stranded worsted should give gauge and make the stitches extra embossed, plus is more easily recycled should bulky knitting prove annoying. Just sayin’.
Ina’s last blog post..Happy Weekend
Everything I have to say has already been said by Deborah, Risa and Lizzy B. I love that sweater too, but I know that on me, it might look like a giant beautiful bathrobe. Plus, given your gauge issues, you might end up having to buy more bulky yarn. Ina’s suggestion was good about double stranding. Geesh, I just don’t know. I’d wait a while and then if the jonesing to kni tthis pattern is still strong, go for it.
Kim’s last blog post..Malabrigo Monday
Could you ask for the yarn for Christmas? That would be my solution…
So … let’s see.
First–one other yarn that occurred to me? Cascade Eco. It’s closer to Aran weight than Bulky (which, with my gauge issues, isn’t necessarily a bad idea) and I’d need four skeins. At Webs, that’s $60 and discountable, so I’d get 20% off, making it $48–a BARGAIN for a coat.
As to style and length? Yes, I’m only 5′3″, but it’s primarily an A-line design, and I do have coats in that general style and length, so I’m not all that concerned about the extra bulk–it’s outerwear, after all. And, if I were to line it, it would be even more windproof and warmer–and .. you just can’t get coats for that price!
I HAVE let this stew for a while. I fell in love with this pattern the minute I saw it, but have held off two weeks before letting my thoughts get this far. I even looked for bulky yarn at the LYS on Saturday, but they didn’t have enough in a color/price/yarn I liked.
So … still … seriously tempted, here.
–Deb’s last blog post..Talk me Down?
Step away from the pretty yarn…..
Since you have the pattern already, wait until after the holidays - you could suggest that a friend get you a gift certificate to the place that has the yarn and that may deffer the cost a bit
I’m with the group of people who want you to rethink this. I work at a yarn shop, and am constantly tempted by yarn while I’m there. I still have slip-ups and buy yarn I shouldn’t, but I feel bad about it later.
So as someone who just *had* to buy some Malabrigo sock yarn (that is now going to sit in her stash for who-only-knows how long), and who now feels totally guilty about that purchase, step away from the computer. Go pick up that silky wool cardi you’ve been working on. Go swatch with some of the Cascade you just bought. But, for the love of God, don’t buy more yarn. ^_^
maria’s last blog post..More Thanksgiving
If money is tight, for me it’s a no-brainer. I, too, am short (5′2″ on a tall day!)) and although I am very slim, I would never look classy in that beautiful pattern in bulky wool. Either knit it for someone else’s tall self who would benefit from all that bulk, refigure the pattern in worsted wool or doubled fingering or give it up completely. Sorry to be so direct, but do think this over prior to putting out cash for this project.
Okay. Wow. This is very fucking cool. Now *I* want to buy the damned thing. My daughter would look fantastic in that. (And she’s 5′10″, so no length issues.) Bah, you make me miss knitting.
And for $50 of wool? I would’ve gone for it