Not Every Idea is a Good Idea...

 or In Which I actually Use Some of The Yarn I Bought - Part 2

One of the many things I dabble in is designing knitting patterns. Most often I do so because I conceived of a desire for a garment and couldn't find an existing pattern that was exactly what I wanted. So I try to make my own.

In this case, I first bought yarn I didn't have a plan for (as I do), then attempted to find uses for all of it. It took some time, (as you may have noticed) but eventually most of that speculation yarn got put to (questionably) good use.

This deliciously soft pile of yarn took several turns on their way to an actual wearable. Much math was calculated, graphs were drawn and many stitches done and undone. Finally I came up with this:

It looks ok on the dress form, but it never quite managed to hang right on an actual person. I don't know where all my (totally correct, or course) math went wrong, or if it's just the way the stitches and yarn interact. Either way, I wore it once and now it serves well as a favorite sleeping cushion for my kitty.

My next attempt at stash busting went a little better, though was almost as complicated. I alternated the two almost matching skeins each row to make a ribbed vest with shaping inspired by a vintage sweater I had seen. It too was perhaps more complex than it needed to be, but I like the result regardless. I still wear this one and am working on writing it up in a way others can replicate.

Remember when I threatened to make a Frankenstein sweater out of all my single skeins of mohair? Well, I did, and I did it. The Hazy Day Vest is one of the successes from my compulsive yarn buying habit :)

And finally, this giant ball of mohair that was enough for a sweater all on it's own? Well of course I had to push that to be lacy  and coat tailed, with Copious sleeves. I lost that game of chicken. I ran out of yarn right at the last few inches and had to substitute another yarn to finish. 

Still, despite the last minute substitution and subsequent altering of the neckline, I really like how this one came out. It's very warm and only comes out in the winter, but it's very soft and comfortable. And I really enjoyed making a semi-fitted garment that is dead simple to customize to fit. As someone who has always struggled with getting knitwear to fit well, I try to make sure my published designs are as adjustable as possible.

And now on to my next yarn buying adventure!