The Wind It Blows

We had the windows open all night and I lay in bed listening to the wind blow through trees, around houses and down the street.  It was lovely, soothing and I was reminded of something one of my meditation teachers told us, years ago, when she was trying to explain the essence of what we were examining in meditation practice: "Think of the wind, blowing through a canyon.  We're not interested in the rocks; we're only interested in the wind."

I thought that was a wonderful description of our search and I think of it often, when everything seems like a struggle and I'm forever slamming against metaphorical rocks.

I finished the sweater I knit for the Spin to Knit class, just in time for those howling winds and 30C heat.  I spent Monday weaving in what seems like a million and four ends (there was a lot of yarn blending going on in this garment, despite what those stripes may say otherwise).  I washed the sweater on the Knit cycle in my washing machine, then let the garment dry on my blocking table.  I don't usually pin out sweaters, but I did a bit of pinning here and there, just to even things up.  Here she is in her present incarnation:

People from the Spin to Knit class may notice a few changes.  I reknit the collar and bottom hem in different yarn, with a shallow tubular ribbed edging. I left the stripy sleeve as it, as a reminder of what happens when you freeform things.

I mentioned in class that the sweater would grow a size when I washed it in my machine.  This seems a curious thing, especially when the yarn is a softly spun Blue-faced Leicester, but the combination of my spinning techniques and the fact that I'm a loose knitter makes my garments relax when I finish them, so I plan for this in the knitting.  Your results may vary, so I don't recommend taking my word for this with your own knitting, but here are the before and after measurements for this sweater:

• Body Circumference Before Washing 32 inches; After Washing 34 inches
• Body Length From Back Neck Before Washing 19.5 inches; After Washing 22 inches
• Sleeve Length From Underarm 16 inches; After Washing 17 inches

The plan,such as it was, was to knit a simple, cozy pullover to ease the summer evening chill.  I think this sweater will do that.  The yarn was spun with no plan in mind, so it's a bit soft for durability.  I expect the sweater to pill.  The sleeves are a bit too long, which is better than too short, so I think I'll leave them as is.  The body length is good, but the shallow hem may flip up when I wear the sweater.  If it does, I'll cut it off and reknit the bottom edge. 

So there you have it--my Spin to Knit project, a warm, useful sweater which will win no prizes or draw much attention.  It makes me happy. What more can I ask for from a simple project?

Namaste.