A new project or three

The Adagio Shawl is in time-out. A good push over a weekend would finish it, but I am sick of the sight of it right now and don't want to be knitting negative vibes into such prettiness. Carole, my dear friend, is being super-understanding and patient and told me to "go knit something for YOU". So - I am.

I started my 2008 hat/scarf combo today, the scarf part anyway - it's the One Row Scarf, and I'm making it in Maxi Tosca which I got on clearance (yay!) at Wool-Tyme the other day. The hat I don't know what I'll do but probably a simple 2x2 ribbed toque. Pictures to follow. I think the scarf will be a quick knit, I'm doing it at 22 stitches on big-arse needles (#2 old-school, probably around 7mm?). Good visual interest but really the pattern is a no-brainer on such short rows. Good thing!

Last week I got the new Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting - today I picked up the Fall Knit 'n' Style. Normally their patterns don't do much for me but this issue (October 2008) has this really simple and pleasant Henley sweater (from KnitPicks) that I love the look of - it's a style I wear well - AND it will be the perfect use for the Patons Classic (Forest Mix) I've been hoarding for about 2 years! I did the math and I should have enough yarn for the size large, with a bit to spare. Minor annoyance - the pattern notes give you two different pattern stitches but only one is used in the pattern. I looked it up on KnitPicks site and the alternate stitch pattern is meant to be used for the men's version of the sweater. Confusion solved. I'm trying to find comfortable and flattering clothes that are work-appropriate but still pretty casual, and I think this will fit the bill nicely. I plan to cast it on tomorrow, just to keep the momentum going. Fall is right around the corner!

Oh, and thinking of work clothes, I found pants that fit (and are fit for work) today at Roots, of all places! They are men's but styles are so unisex now, I don't care. Got a charcoal-greeny-gray, a standard khaki and your basic black, all three pairs for $135 and change including taxes. I have a rule about not spending more than $50 for a pair of pants, so I am pleased with these. After the ruthless weeding-out of the wardrobe last weekend (3 bags full to the Value Village), I was starting to think I would have to go to work in my fleece penguin PJs!

I need to pull out my turtlenecks and stuff for the fall/winter and decide how many more tops I need ... well, I guess I only really NEED five but it's nice to have some variety in the rotation. I saw a pretty oatmeal-coloured v-neck at Wal-Mart today that I liked the look of... actually several pretty tops at the Wal-Mart. They are reasonably inexpensive, last at least 2 years, and are comfy and flattering. I love the long-sleeve t-shirts I got 2 years ago but they are not really flattering to the "muffin top" belly I have at the moment - a little too snug. Very flattering to the cleavage though!

Can't decide if I should call it a night and crawl into bed with my book, or find some Olympics on tv and put a few more inches on the scarf. Hmmm... maybe another half-hour on the scarf. You know, just to make the picture-taking worthwhile!