Recently, I got some Geisha from Elann. It’s cute and fuzzy, like so many other things I love. But I bought it without being sure of what pattern I was going to use. I had a vague idea of a pattern I liked, but didn’t bother to check the guage or anything. So I did a swatch just now using size 10 needles.

It came to about 5 st = 1 inch. Unfortunately, the sweater I originally had in mind has a guage of 3 st = 1 inch on 10.5 needles. And you have to use 2 strands of yarn. I could size up the needle, but I’d like to do it in all 1 color after all, so I won’t have enough yarn even if I can get guage. Here is the sweater I wanted to do. I will eventually. It’s kind of goofy, but that’s why I like it. It’s from a Bear Brand Mohair pattern book from MCMLXIV (that’s 1964 to you non-Romans. Yes, I had to look it up). The popcorn on the hood would probably be kind of bulky, so I’ll probably leave that off. I will also wear actual pants with it instead of spray-painting on a pair. The world heaves a sigh of relief.

So that one is out. But there’s this one. Remove those odd non-pocket things and the pearl buttons, and you’ve got a good, solid cardi. I like the length of the sleeves and the edge pattern. The guage on this is 4 st = 1 inch on a size 10, but I think I can get guage with 11s. I’ll re-swatch later. Click the picture for a better view of the detail.

And in Manly news, I’m cranking away. The back is finished and the front is just about there. I keep getting paranoid that is looks kind of small, but I know once it’s blocked it will be fine. I think Amy is making me paranoid with her manly Manly).