I have a fairly good-sized yarn stash. It’s not as large as the stashes of some knitters I know (I’m looking at you, Marsha), but it’s large enough that I could knit for many years without ever needing to buy more. I will buy more, however; I fall in love easily. Some yarn in my stash is so precious that I’m almost afraid to knit with it. What if it’s not the absolutely perfect yarn for that project and the yarn is wasted? What if the yarn, adored sometimes for years, isn’t as wonderful as I thought once I start knitting with it? Could I stand the disappointment? So my twenty skeins of pale pink Mulberry Silk wait patiently in a cubby, as do six skeins of handpainted silk that make me think of Egyptian Pharaohs, countless skeins of gorgeous Koigu, and a few other prizes.
Along with those yarns, I’ve been carefully guarding 17 skeins of Jaeger Cashmina in a beautiful cinnamon brown crossed with bronze. I bought it in Scotland, at the John Lewis department store in Edinburgh. I had no idea what I was going to do with it. I bought every skein they had in that color and dye lot. Each skein came in its own little museum box.
See? How could you not love it?
In the past year or so, my grip on all of these yarns has loosened a bit. I’ve come to realize that while it’s fine to keep some yarns just for admiring or loving, life is short and it’s a bit senseless to deprive oneself of knitting joy. So, the Cashmina has come out to play. I found another Japanese pattern that I loved, and I decided that the Cashmina is perfect for it. It’s from the Let’s Knit Series 13. Here is the photo from the book.
I wanted to start it when I was supposed to be finishing my Bohus. I did let myself swatch, but managed to restrain myself until the Bohus was off the needles.
I finished the back this morning.
Those stitches are soooo beautiful. It makes me want to go out and investigate the Japanese knitting books. But then, I’d have to buy more yarn…..
Comment by Sigrun — March 28, 2009 @ 6:34 pm
personally, I think your choice of colour shows the stitches more advantageously than the pattern. The stitches really are beautiful!
Comment by Rosemarie — March 28, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
I have some “souvenir” yarn myself. I feel the same way you do. What if I use it and it isn’t the right yarn for the project? It’s still tucked away – well, several of those are tucked away. But I think of it often and keep it in mind when I’m looking at patterns. Someday I’ll find that perfect project for my perfect yarn.
Comment by 2muchfun — March 28, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
What an impossibly beautiful combination of pattern, colour and yarn.
Comment by Gale — March 28, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
I love it! You should take a picture of all of your precious yarn…it’s like little treasures! This is motivating me to get little treasure of my own, but for now all I can afford is regular old acrylic and wool while I am still in school. I’m looking forward to traveling the world one day and collecting little yarn treasures of my own! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Comment by Minh — March 28, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
Yep. It’s a treasure.
Beautiful yarn, pattern, and beautiful execution.
Comment by LaurieM — March 28, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Okay, first you roped me in with Ode to Joy. Then I HAD to get my own Bohus after seeing Azalea on your blog. Now this – which is absolutely gorgeous, btw! You two really have to cut the rest of us some slack!!! I really was getting into enough trouble on my own !
Now to go check out what’s in the stash…
Comment by Maria — March 28, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
Great choice!
Comment by Chloe — March 28, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
It is truly elegant looking. A very felicitous marriage of design and materials.
Comment by Joanna Ryn — March 29, 2009 @ 2:54 am
First you encourage knitting with the good stuff, then you link to where to buy an incredibly beautiful pattern . . . pure torture!
If you keep this up, you should get hired to plan how to restart the economy because it’s near impossible to keep the money from leaping out of my hands to buy pattern books or bohus kits when such gorgeous ones are shown here.
I better be careful, otherwise I’ll have to ban myself from your site.
Comment by GinkgoKnits — March 29, 2009 @ 3:27 am
Absolutely stunning pattern. Definitely worthy of the gorgeous yarn.
Comment by Soo — March 29, 2009 @ 6:14 am
All I can say is WOW!!! You are an amazing knitter!!
Comment by Lee Cockrum — March 29, 2009 @ 8:40 am
From Susan — It’s looking beautiful!
Comment by lv2knit — March 29, 2009 @ 9:05 am
It’s absolutely gorgeous! What a wonderful choice of pattern/yarn. I’ve been wanting to make that top, so I’m excited to see how yours turns out, especially in such a rich color.
I’ve had the same feelings about some of my yarns, but I’m learning to get over it. Slowly. Most aren’t all that precious in value, but in sentiment.
Comment by Cheryl S. — March 29, 2009 @ 10:47 am
Beautiful! I *much* prefer this beautiful pattern in this yarn than the one illustrated for the pattern.
Comment by Cathi Myers — March 29, 2009 @ 11:26 am
What a gorgeous pattern, and I so admire you because I’m not a lace or cable knitter because I don’t seem to have the patience! Can’t wait to see how this progresses…
Comment by Sharon — March 29, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
I live in Edinburgh and I often shop at John Lewis, but I’ve never seen yarn in individual boxes there! Your sweater looks like being the perfect use for it.
Comment by Cornflower — March 29, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
Wow. That will be one kick-ass sweater once it’s done.
I think I might cry a bit once I’d emptied all the precious museum boxes. You know, the same empty feeling when you realise there are no more chocolates in that indulgent little box that you either treated yourself to, or graciously received from a loved one. It takes me days to finish a box of chocolates…
Anyway. Gorgeous pattern! 🙂
Comment by Trine — March 29, 2009 @ 2:48 pm
Wow, you guys make me want to be a better knitter! Beautiful! 🙂
Comment by Lynn — March 29, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
Thank you so much for continuing to motivate me to become a better knitter. I see your projects and they take my breath away.
Comment by AllyB — March 29, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
I love how much there is to learn about knitting. You two are inspiring. I never even though about Japanese knitting patterns. Wow, what a beautiful combination of fiber and expertise!
Comment by Pixie — March 29, 2009 @ 5:43 pm
That is a perfect pairing. Nicely done!
Comment by twinsetellen — March 29, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
The yarn and sweater design are perfect for each other, and your stitches are so even that the back looks like it has already been blocked.
I made my first (and, so far, only) trip to Edinburgh 3 years ago (love the city and the people), and thought I would find a yarn shop on every street corner. I was on a mission to purchase Jamieson & Smith Shetland wool, but was sadly mistaken about the availability of yarn shops. I did find some J&S Shetland at a shop on Haymarket Street which mainly sold ready-made Shetland sweaters. I bought what shades of wool they had (and a beautiful sweater also–couldn’t resist!). My hotel was just down Princes Street from John Lewis, so I went there for some knitting needles. Had I seen your Jaeger Cashmina there, I would have pounced on it! The color is beautiful.
Mary G. in Texas
Comment by Katie's Granny — March 30, 2009 @ 12:27 am
So very nice, your color is wonderfull.
Comment by Samy — March 30, 2009 @ 4:15 am
It is a museum treasure both in the box and on your sticks. I do believe the speed in which you knit is quite extra~ordinary!
Comment by Michelle — March 30, 2009 @ 7:08 am
Outstanding use of that gorgeous yarn. The color is to die for, and your stitches are exquisite!I agree with the other person who would like to see more photos of your stash!
Comment by Kim — March 30, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Perfect pattern and perfect yarn! Stunning already! I would say this just states the case for buying a yarn when you see it and love it and maintaining a stash. Something special waiting in the yarn stash wings is thrilling when the perfect pairing reveals itself!
Comment by Ann — March 30, 2009 @ 11:21 am
I agree with the others who say your color shows the stitches to better advantage (at least in a photo) than the white. Are you going to do the neckline/collar as written?
What a special sweater!
Comment by Pam — March 30, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
wow!! i can’t wait to see the front! i agree with everyone else who commented that your yarn is much nicer than that used in the pattern book.
and now to add this sweater to my queue….
Comment by dana — March 30, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
It’s lovely – the perfect marriage of yarn and pattern. I’m sure you’ll have no regrets about using this part of your stash!
Comment by Amy — March 30, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
WOW!!
Comment by Laura — March 30, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
Wonderful tips and a wonderful sweater. Thanks for sharing and thanks for your always inspirational knitting.
Comment by Brenda — April 1, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
Oh wow, that’s beautiful.
Comment by Carrie K — April 4, 2009 @ 8:56 pm