Here is Michael modeling his finished Brown Sweater.

I wonder what he’s thinking about.

If I had to do it again, I would use the same yarn (1824 Wool) but smaller needles. Although I have the right gauge for the pattern, the finished fabric is a little loose and stretchy for my taste. I also think the neck band is too wide (upon examination, it does look like the one in the pattern). Michael likes it a lot – he doesn’t seem to feel like he’s wearing an afghan. The pattern (Designs by Judith: Multiple Choice, Drop Shoulder Pullovers for Men) is in multiple gauges, so if I had wanted to use smaller needles, I certainly could have. But it’s finished. And he’s happy. So I’ve got that.

I should be working on the Denim sweater, but the company that sold me the yarn sent two different dye lots. This is a pretty big mistake for a yarn store. So I called them to fix the situation. While I was talking to them, I realized they had no idea what they were doing:

Them: So what do you want us to do?
Me: I would like you to send me send me one more ball of 05 and I will send you back this 04.
Them: Let me put you on hold while I check to see if we’ve got that.
Me (singing along): I’m on the top of the world lookin’ down on creation…
Them: I’ve got lots of 108 but no 05s or 04s. But we’re expecting a shipment soon.
Me: 108 is the color number. The number after that is the lot number.
Them: Oh. Well, all I have listed is the 108.

What I should have done is make her go back and check the stupid lot numbers. Instead, I have mailed the whole mess back and they are sending me some new. With any luck the numbers will match.

Which means I need another project. If you will recall, my first attempt at Remembering Honey (Interweave, Spring 2003) was sabotaged by unstable dye. The manufacturers sent me some new yarn in a different color and it has been in the chest for a while. I’ve pulled it out and swatched. I remember why it has been in the chest. The swatch that comes out half a stitch too small is a much better looking fabric than the one that comes out correctly. My choices are: A) Make it in too small a gauge and have it Just Fit or B) Make it in the proper gauge and get the Loose Knitting Willies every time I wear it. I opted for A the first time around, but this time I think I might go with B. I am starting with a sleeve to be sure I can stand it. As we all know, a sleeve takes less time to rip out.

I almost forgot, as par for the course, the aforementioned yarn company claims that Tomato Red Kool Wool has been discontinued. It’s still available on Lion Brand’s website so I can only assume that said yarn company is Crazy. I’ve got to find yet another place to order the dumb stuff. With luck, I will be able to get it somewhere other than their on-line store where it costs $4.99 a skein! RATS.