If you’re from Pittsburgh, you know that means I’ve been doing a lot of cleaning. And I have been. I wish you could all tour my newly organized walk-in closet. But given my love for the color red, it also means I’ve been knitting with a luscious new (for me) red yarn.
The yarn is Fiberphile’s Super Squish Worsted in the colorway Turkey Hill. This yarn is glorious; I love the color and the feel. I’m not always a fan of superwash, even superwash merino. I just couldn’t resist the color, and in this case being a superwash is an advantage. The sweater emerging from my needles is another one for my son. Remember how I knit him a green sweater for Christmas? Remember how I said he wears it constantly? Even his roommate found his way to our blog, where he said:
As Sterling’s roommate I see him wear this sweater literally every day. It’s a great sweater and it’s clear he loves it very much. I am astounded at kmkat*. He is a really smart kid and cares alot about the sweater. I am sure he washes it correctly.
Comment by RealizingCollectiveLiberationThroughYarn
(*Kmkat had dared express concern about inadvertent felting in the washing machine.)
Because I needed a mindless and fairly quick project (before Sterling is hazed for wearing the same sweater day after day), I chose Jared Flood’s Cobblestone Pullover. I haven’t made as much progress as I would have liked due to some stealth knitting and the aforementioned cleaning. Nevertheless, I’ve got the body up to the yoke and about half of the first sleeve. I hope to finish it off before the end of the month. Wish me luck!
ETA: I’m not from Pittsburgh, but when I was in college I had several dear friends who were and picked up some of their expressions.
Wow – that’s a great color. I’m sure he’ll look great in it. 🙂
Comment by Amy — February 10, 2011 @ 4:36 pm
good luck
Comment by Janetc — February 10, 2011 @ 5:56 pm
The sweater-to-be is lovely. And it is so gratifying to make something for a family member and then to actually see them wear it. This is too often not the case at my house, but when it is, I am gratified.
Does everyone in Pittsburgh clean in February? What’s the deal? I am cleaning my basement, but not because it is February, but because it is hideous mess. This will be my ongoing project for a while. Yuck.
Comment by joanna — February 10, 2011 @ 6:30 pm
That yarn will make a gorgeous sweater for a guy!
Comment by technikat — February 10, 2011 @ 7:07 pm
Gorgeous color. It will be another beautiful sweater for someone who is obviously very knitworthy.
Comment by Beverly — February 10, 2011 @ 10:16 pm
Cobblestone is a great choice. But I am even more impressed by your son’s choice of roommate!
Comment by twinsetellen — February 10, 2011 @ 11:50 pm
The sweater is lovely and I love the color, and I never do red. As a transplanted western PA girl your title caught my eye. How about some more…gumband for rubber band, the car “needs” washed, where yunz at? I’m from New England, hardly a place of pristine diction, but some of these still sound like nails on a chalkboard to me. Oh and I am a religious follower of your blog. It is well written, the sweaters are super interesting and both your knitting is beyond compare. I find it always inspiring.
Comment by Heidi — February 11, 2011 @ 12:29 am
Hmmm, I just moved from the Twin Cities to Pittsburgh back in August. Thanks for filling me in on the lingo!
Comment by Yarndude — February 11, 2011 @ 1:16 am
Here in Shetland “reddin up” generally means tidying up. Can also be used as “redd my hair” and “redd up kin”. Funny to find something so similar from Pittsburgh. Really enjoy your blog.
Comment by Joyce — February 11, 2011 @ 5:07 am
I’ve been waiting to see the finished sweater for your husband in the Jared Flood yarn. Did I miss a post about it or did it get put aside for the son knitting?
Comment by Millie — February 11, 2011 @ 9:34 am
Oh that yarn is beautiful! (I think I say that about all the yarns you choose!) Your son is very lucky & obviously “knitworthy”. (Maybe his roommate wants/needs a sweater, too???)
Looking forward to a photo of the finished sweater :)!
Comment by Barb — February 11, 2011 @ 9:59 am
Sally,
I have not heard the expression “red up” since I was at Penn State. You bring back memories.
Comment by marsha edwards — February 11, 2011 @ 2:03 pm
Sally: Is there ANY OTHER color???? I love your yarn for your son’s sweater. I will have to “phish” for it online! Cathy (from Susan’s Thursday’s at Four group)
Comment by Cathy Rootness — February 11, 2011 @ 3:48 pm
I love the pattern and the yarn choice! Can’t wait to see the finished product 🙂
Comment by Michelle — February 12, 2011 @ 9:54 am
From Susan — the yarn is absolutely gorgeous…
Comment by lv2knit — February 12, 2011 @ 10:03 am
I’d be interested in your reasons for not always being a fan of superwash. I have some reservations about it myself. I’m not that bothered by hand washing my wool and or silk sweaters, scarves, blouses etc. I’d hate to see superwash become the only type of yarn available.
Comment by Northmoon — February 12, 2011 @ 11:03 pm
Wot Susan sed. Such a great color!
I feel another obsession coming on.
Comment by CreeksideKnitter — February 13, 2011 @ 12:13 am
I grew up in NE Ohio, so I knew it was time for some Spring Cleaning! Haven’t heard “redding up” in a lo-o-ong time, but when I was a kid, we had to “red off” the table after dinner. And your sweater-in-progress is a lovely shade of red… your son will enjoy having two fabulous sweaters!
Comment by Lori on Little Traverse Bay — February 21, 2011 @ 11:39 am