A return to yarn...

Since I became pregnant with Baby Vi, I haven't been particularly motivated by yarn. I know, blasphemy! But, I just... wasn't. I had lost my crafty mojo. I found it again when I started work on the Pumpkin Quilt, which is still in progress (and I actually think I have a good chance of finishing it before she gets here). But the knitting/crocheting was still neglected. With the exception of a crocheted baby sweater and an adorable knitted baby halter top, I just hadn't had the bug.

Until yesterday.

After SnB, I decided to head over to Barnes & Noble. I had just been paid, and I decided to check out the magazine rack and a few new books that I knew were coming out. I picked up the new issue of Interweave Knits, more to keep my collection complete than because I actually want to knit anything from the issue. But then I saw it -- Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits. This book is awesome. I've loved her patterns on Knitty and I knew, once I saw all the patterns, that I had to have this book.

So when I got home, I had to start something. I couldn't resist. And after digging through my stash, I decided to tackle the Carie Cropped Cardigan (also seen on an episode of Knitty Gritty and called The Better Sweater -- pattern available here).

The Better Sweater, as seen on Knitty Gritty

Rather than use Cascade Magnum, I decided to combine yarns to get the right weight. I'm using Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky in chocolate brown, Karabella Marguerite in a mustardy brown and a random orange GGH merino that I got at the Yarn Lady sale last year. I also had to size up to size 17 needles to get the right gauge (I knit very tightly since I knit combination style; the pattern recommends size 13s). I stayed up until almost 1 a.m. working on it. I'm actually really excited to have a knit project for myself. Hopefully, this is the return of my yarn passion. Pictures to come.