Looking Ahead to Spring

The convergence of two things have led me to think of Spring knitting. 

1. I started blocking the pieces of Roam (I have the raglan shaping on the last piece to go, but everything else will be dry by then so I can start seaming!).  When it's done I can start a Spring sweater. 

2. It was -30C with the windchill this morning and I need something to make me feel like winter will end at some point.

Last year I bought a bag of Rowan Calmer in Refresh (a turquoise blue) with every intention of making Maris from Rowan 41.  My first Spring sweater will use this yarn, but for what?

A trip through Ravelry provided some ideas.

1. Loll

2. Maris, it looks heavier than I want due to the rib pattern and I'm not so sure about the neck line, so it's down the list all the sudden.

3. Granite (the gauge is the same and I think it would be a good bamboo substitute)

4. Cece

5. A run of the mill but very useful top down raglan cardi.

6. Erin

Not sure about the peplum though.

7. Clover (or my version of it because I don't want to buy a Kim Hargreaves kit).  Shoot, now that I'm looking around the site, maybe I do want a kit. 

Really, this is exactly what I want--round neck, raglan, work-appropriate.  I wonder if she'll sub Calmer because I don't want to knit it in 100% cotton.  It isn't an exact sub though.  I could just make it up right?

I really like this one too--wool cotton is a nice  yarn:

Votes and suggestions are welcome.  A worsted weight cardi-jacket is what I want for my Calmer..

Comments

[Lauren]

I have nine balls of Calmer and don't know what to do with them either. I've never knit with it before... is it really a worsted? I wanted to use it for the Apricot Jacket from Rebecca, but yardage/weight-wise, I was wondering if I'd need a DK pattern. I've been looking at CeCe too!

[Julia]

Hm...hard to make a choice. I like number 3 a lot. It's so stylish and the yarn is so pretty and smooth. I also like Clover a lot. The last one is nice, but I think I mostly like the stylist's color combination on that one! Fun! I vote for 3 or 7. :o)

[yvette]

I really like Erin...with the peplum for me. Then again, I'm short waisted so the illusion of that shap suits me. You're so tall that you don't need it.

[Christine]

I LOVE Erin.

If you made it up and it didn't suit you, I could give it a good home.

I'm also trying oh so hard to think warm and spring-like thoughts. Not easy, but I'm trying.

[chrispy]

I love Kim's kits. I just can't possibly break down and buy a kit but she does have several that would tempt me beyond resistance.

I really like both of the ones you posted. I too would pause at the cotton yarn.

[Em]

My vote: Erin if it's for a mostly-casual sweater, that last one if it's more work-y. And buy the Hargreaves kit for a second sweater!

[Heather]

Erin is beautiful! Although Clover does have perhaps more wearability. Good luck choosing!

[Aubra]

Clover is awesome, but I think my official vote goes to Loll. I don't know if I, personally, would wear something that doesn't close in the front, but its a sweet sweater.

Ali is awfully fun, though.

[Deb]

What about Wren or Wanda from Berroco- here is the newsletter with the free pattern links- http://berroco.com/knitbits/knitbits_179_H.html

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

I like the first one, and Erin is on my list, too, but I LOVE the last one! In fact, you may just have solved my "first spring sweater" problem, too.

[Carol]

I really like #1 Loll.

[Kathryn]

I LOVE the last one. I think it would look soo good on you. Great for work, could double as an any time jacket!

[Kristen from MA]

They're all nice, but Clover really catches my eye.

[Gina]

LOVE the Clover! Very sophisticated, yet calm and pretty!

[Helen]

I love Erin -- and want to make one for ME...(where's it from? I can't find it on Ravelry or google!)

However, for your stated purpost, I also really like that last basketweave sweater from Kim.

[claudia]

I'm skeptical that Calmer really is worsted weight, but I haven't worked with it in a long time. Granite is really growing on me, but I don't think turquoise is the right color for that.

If you can knit all that basketweave without wanting to shoot yourself in the head, the last sweater is very cute.

[Not an Artist]

Ooh. I love that Kim Hargreaves cardi/jacket at the end. Its so cute and tailored but relaxed at the same time!

[gail]

What fun to select a new project for yourself!! I really like the first and last possibilities. I have a tender spot in my heart for shawl neck cardigans, and I don't know why. They have always spoken to me--for decades--regardless of current fashion. The choice is yours. Put the names of the possibilities in a basket. Pull out one. If this isn't THE one, toss it and pull another name. Is this THE one?

[Knittripps]

I like the last choice, Ali. They are all good spring options though!

[Abby]

What about Rebecca's Apricot Jacket. I've seen others in calmer that were great.

[emma]

They're all great patterns but I'm having trouble getting past the models. Do they all have to look so ... model-y? Any sense of what they'd look like on people with breasts or hips or (gasp) little pot bellies?

[doulicia]

I like #1 but with 3/4 sleeves and a shorter torso for spring. My vote...

Good luck. It's fun to think spring, isn't it?