Once a single distracting knit throws itself onto your needles, the second and third project are more easily justified.  My world, my illusions.  Don’t take them from me.

Let me introduce Donni’s KISS.  I need to knit a sample for my business.  Of course, I need to knit it NOW.  Do not remind me that I have other more pressing obligations.   Really, I like my illusions.  I am using Casacade’s “Cloud 9″ in a 50/50 alpaca and wool blend.  Donni used a yarn that had 80/20 alpaca and wool.  Even though the yardage to weight per skein is the same, I am amazed at how the increased wool content adds more density to the knit.  It is still incredibly soft but has less drape than her version.

Then there is my new sweater.  I’m calling it my Island sweater for now because it was invented on Bois Blanc Island during a knitting retreat.   Knitted on size US 10.5 needles, it is a super quick knit.  See? It is a QUICK knit.  It’ll be off my needles before you can say “Don’t you have something else you should be focusing your knitting powers on?”  I am in complete and total denial that I have never knit a sweater quickly.  My illusions are grand things, I tell you.  I plan on knitting it with a yoke and funnel neck.  The welts at the bottom will be repeated at the top of the sweater as well. 

And may I say, I am in absolute heaven using this yarn - Brooksfarm 80/20 alpaca and wool.  I cannot find it listed on their website, so I wonder if it was only made available for the Stitches Midwest event.  Because it is hand dyed, I followed the precaution of alternately knitting with two skeins.  Inspite of that, I still have a spiral of color happening.  I like the look it creates though - like a chocolate and raspberry swirl.

I am also certain that the shawl has not noticed all the knitting going on.  Absolutely positive.  I had to rip back 3 rows, but I am sure that has no correlation to my knitting infidelity.  Sometimes my illusions are all I have.