Spectrum: Joji Locatelli
I am funny about spending money. I don't hesitate to buy a skein of yarn that catches my eye, but I have had the same raincoat for over 20 years. I never liked wearing it. It is a well built raincoat, timeless in its design and did an excellent job of keeping the rain off. But the colour was not one I enjoyed wearing. Everytime I put it on, I groaned inwardly. But the practical side of me just couldn't see spending money on a new one.
Well I am glad to say I finally bought myself a new raincoat that I love. Once I bought it I knew, as any knitter would, that I just had to knit an accessory to go with it. I chose Joji Locatelli's Spectrum, a two coloured garter stitch scarf that was perfect for my raincoat. It is knit in Indigodragonfly Merino Nylon Sock in a beautiful navy called Tardis, combined with Malabrigo Yarn Sock in Light of Love I happily knit away and tah-dah here is the finished product:
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| In progress |
Once I got the shawl off my needles I was worried about the size of it. The pattern states that the finished shawl should by 72 x 23". I expected mine to be smaller, as I had chosen to go down a needle size. I used 3.75mm instead of the 4mm suggested. I was worried when prior to blocking it only measured 44 x 17"...but thankfully it grew to 60 x 20". I didn't expect it to grow quite as much as it did as I was not aggressive at all when pinning it out. But the size is perfect and the beauty of the shape of this shawl is that you can wear it several ways.
Now I had visions of modelling it for you in the rain, with an umbrella over my head but I don't know about where you live but we have had very little rain lately and there is none in the forecast. So here it is pictured on a beautiful sunny day. Bring on the rain!
Haha, I love the beginning of this post - this is sooo me! I am very conscious about my budget, but when it comes to yarn - I don't care :) Both of the things are a great investment - perfect raincoat and a gorgeous shawl! It looks like such a fun pattern - so many possibilities to play with color!
ReplyDeleteIt's very hard to say no to yarn : )
DeleteYarn is like dessert -- I can always justify more!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great shawl and it matches your new raincoat perfectlly.
So beautiful! Complements your raincoat perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThank you Elise! I am still waiting for that rainy day to wear it. : )
DeleteThat shawl is perfect for your coat!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your money thoughts. I am the same way, I haate to spend more than $5-10 on a top or $10-20 on a pair of pants or a skirt or $50-75 on a dress, but for a sweater, even for the kids, I'll drop $50-175 without a thought. For me, though, this is because I know how many hours of pleasure I will get for that money, besides the finished item, and I know it will be made well and sturdily. I think of yarn purchases in terms of cost per hour, rather than cost per finished item. Obviously, if we can't afford to spend the money, it doesn't get spent, but if it is in the budget, I will.
I totally relate to what you are saying! And when you spend all those hours knitting something you want to be knitting with yarn that's worth the time and will look good for years to come.
Deletethat is clearly the only rational thing to do after getting a new coat- you absolutely need to knit a new scarf to go with it! You made a great choice, your spectrum colour choices are really chic with your new raincoat.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! Only a knitter would understand ; )
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