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Birthday Yarn and a Crop Top

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In December Gordon ordered me some yarn for my birthday from Always and Forever. It didn’t arrive in time for my birthday. It didn’t arrive a couple of weeks later. I was slightly bummed out, and Gordon emailed the shop on January 14 only to find out that my yarn and everybody’s yarn was stuck at the post office limbo. Apparently roughly 50 orders had gotten stuck in processing.

Finally, the birthday yarn arrived!

Squueee! So pretty!

I just finished a project. I know, I know, don’t faint all at once.

It’s a cute little crop top for Kid 1. The pattern is Ripple Crop Top Worsted by Jessie Maed Designs. I used one strand of Lana Grossa Silk Hair Hand-Dyed mohair in Taj colorway and one strand of Juniper Moon Findley in white held together. The sweater is unbelievably soft. Kid 1 stole it before I could block it.

It’s a perfect Texas pattern: warm but light. Size S took exactly one ball of mohair, but I have quite a bit of Findley left over.

So now on to the important question: what to knit next with my awesome birthday yarn? It would be a bit too loud for a cardigan, so perhaps a shawl?

Option 1: Fallston by Dee O’Keefe.

@Dee O’Keefe

I’ve been wanting to take a stab at this pattern forever, but I am pretty sure there is too much variegation in the skeins I have.

Option 2: Xanthe by Amba O’Brien.

@Amba O’Brien

Lace section in blue, alternating the other two skeins for the garter?

Option 3: Quicksilver by Melanie Berg.

@ Melanie Berg

I’ve made this before. It an easy knit.

Option 4: Tablature by Rosemary Hill.

@ Designs by Romi

Option 5: Tell me in the comments?

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Comments

  1. TABLATURE! OMG option 4 is gorgeous. All are pretty, but option 4 is something I’d wear over and over again, and your yarn colours would be beautiful with it.

    Knitting blessings on whichever you choose!

  2. Option 4 looks really beautiful. I think it would be pretty with the colours Gordon has chosen…

  5. Ohhh, pretty! I like option 5. So pretty! I’m still in the learning phase and haven’t figured out lace yet. Mainly because I want a pattern I can watch TV with. ????

  7. I like option 1 the best , but if its not right for the yarn i would say go with option 4
    But my question is why is the new yarn to bold for a cardigan? I mean I would ware one in those colors , I think the 3 one from the left is the prettiest

    any way HUgs and have fun

  8. Oooohh how pretty! Every time you show yarn it makes me want to learn to knit. Or at least relearn how to crochet. But I already have a whole room dedicated to my stamping/scrapbooking stash, and I know me, I’m a “gotta have the whole set/all the things” kinda gal, the yarn stash would quickly get out of hand. My favorite is the Fallston.

  9. They’re all cool, but Option 4 looks very elegant to me. Wow. Like it can be used casually or formally.

  10. I vote for Fallston and using your blue where the designer has denim. Then you can alternate your other two colorways, or use one orange for the ladder-like lace at the upper edge and the other for the zigzag lace at the bottom.

    Tablature is gorgeous but I’m not sure how you get enough separation between the two variegated yarns. Xanthe seems to have the same issue unless you plan to have multiple sections of the hexagonal lace. And Quicksilver is pretty but your yarn has so much pizzazz. I think about yarn way too much. Looking forward to seeing this project as both a WIP and a FO, whatever you do.

    And belated felicitations. (It took the post office 5 weeks to deliver a Christmas box I mailed on Dec 10, so I feel your pain).

    • I agree with Lisa! All the patterns are beautiful but most of them count on the strong color variation to really make the pattern pop and since you can’t know exactly how the variegated yarn will knit up I would go with the Fallston as well.

    • +1, our main po sorting center got hit hard by covid and by cutbacks, ordered something last week of nov, received after new years. only good thing, I knew it was not lost, lol.

  12. I am terrible at visualizing, but #1 Fallston is just gorgeous! If I were making it, I think I would use the two outside sets of yarn – the charcoal (brown?)/orange on the left, with the aqua blues on the right.

    Whichever you choose, I’m sure it will be amazing.

  17. I have to vote for Romi, bc her designs are both classic and modern. Plus, she’s a local (local-ish) to me. Second choice, Amba.

  19. Option 5 definitely it’s such a gorgeous pattern I love it! And those colors of yarn are just stunning as well!

  21. Tablature is gorgeous! It looks complicated, though, and I tend to stay away from patterns that are too complicated and fussy, as there is a good chance they wind up in my UFO pile.

  23. It’s not to loud but perfect for a summer cardigan. Just style it with white or light blue, light yellow.

  30. Option 4 is just gorgeous! I might just try to make that one myself. But whatever you decide, it will be wonderful.

  32. I like opt 4. Also I think these yarns would look good in a cardigan but I am known to have strange tastes.

  34. 🙂 That crop top reminds me of a crop top I bought many moons ago in Beirut. I wore that thing to death. You made me smile this morning. Thank you.

    I am in love with Option 2 –

  36. You could do #1 in the 2 green skeins you have. Depends on how much yarn it takes. I also like #4.

  37. Those are such beautiful colors! And it really looks like you can’t go wrong with any choice of pattern! I don’t have the skill of imagining the final product from yarn, but they all look fun!

  38. Happy knitting birthday. Beautiful gift, and cute crop top! I’m going to vote for 2, because it is a new pattern and it will work really well with your yarn. 3 would work, but life is too short to repeat knitting patterns. I really like #5 – but I don’t think the variation will work with it… the contrast of the two colors really pops the pattern.

  45. Quicksilver if I’m picking one of yours. I fell in love with the Hotel of Bees shawl and have it on my list.

  47. Wow, I’d love to see number two as you described it, but number four would also be amazing. Sorry, not much help… ????.

  48. 1 or 2. Romi Hill’s shawls are beautiful, but the process requires thought and dexterity that I don’t always have.

    Please let us know which one you choose. I am having a hard time deciding on my next project and may let your decision be mine as well.

  49. I vote for Tablature….really pretty!???? I am newly ‘retired’ (not by choice, thanks Covid!) and have been thinking about learning to knit. Anybody have suggestions on a good kit or book I could use to teach myself?

    • I found Stitch Bitch really helpful. I alternated between that and YouTube videos, because sometimes I want to see it in action, but sometimes I want it in print so I can learn at my own pace.
      As a fellow newbie, the one thing to remember is patience. It is incredibly easy to make mistakes at first. You’ll be happily going along, and then you look down three or four rows down and discover you’ve added two or three stitches. I still do t understand how that happens. Give yourself permission to make wonky pieces at first. It will get easier.

    • I like Very Pink; the videos are clear and some of them are in slow motion. Here’s a link to the basics of slip knot (the very first thing you put on the needle), casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off: https://verypink.com/category/techniques/basics/

      I also found it was easier to knit with a circular needle. That way I’m only wrangling two things in my two hands, instead of three (with two straight needles). If I drop the needle it’s still connected and I’m not scrambling all over the floor to retrieve it 😉

      Good luck!

  55. Do you personally think the colours are too loud for a cardigan? Or is it only that you worry other people might think so? Because if it’s the latter, I’d say just go for it if it makes you happy; and if it’s the former, then those shawls are gorgeous 🙂 Having zero experience with knitting, and looking at the yarn, I think I could see option 1. But where I live, shawls are not really a thing, so what do I know ????

  57. I love option 4, but if you don’t want to do it again, I vote for option 2. (of course, I can’t knit – I’ve tried on several occasions and just don’t have the patience – so what do I know)

  67. All 4 options are beautiful. However, considering the colors in your new yarn, I recommend option 1. I love option 4, but don’t think the colors in your new stash would work well, unless you are looking at just the end result and not the color changes and variations.

  68. I really like Option 1 and Option 4 (and scurried over the Ravelry to add them to my favorites), but I am not sure that either one would work well with the yarn. The yarn is telling me Option 2…which probably means I have been knitting too much lately.

  69. I don’t knit but I love shawls. I pick option 4. Very distinctive and your wool colors in this would be stunning. The crop top is just adorable. You have a pretty good husband there!

  77. I love the last shawl by Rosemary Hall, but not sure what you’d use for the lace edging? Is there enough of the blue skeins? I thought I’d make a dent in my yarn stash over the past 12 months of lockdown and shielding, but despite the extra time, I didn’t knit more – instead I’ve read… But my book stash hasn’t gone down either because I appear to buy more than I read. Hey ho, I shall have to stop buying and do more reading and knitting!
    Stay safe and keep smiling.

  80. That yarn is lovely.
    I think option 1 would work best.
    As for option 5 – just how long are the colour repeats in the variegated skeins?
    I have some yarn that looks very much like the two skeins in the middle. Absolutely gorgeous, but when I started knitting, the overall effect was a muddy orangey-blue with a bit of pooling – just meh.
    I’m now doing something like ‚Brightness and Contrast‘ https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brightness-and-contrast
    only bigger.
    If you’re in for a fun project, something like the ‚Bubbles Bandana Cowl‘ https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bubbles-bandana-cowl
    might also work. Shouldn’t be too difficult to change the pattern to make a shawl.

  83. I vote for option 4 . Love the pattern . It seems very elegant.
    Ohh the crop top you made for your daughter is wonderful . Light and frothy. Like a summer sorbet with lemon and blueberries.
    Wonderful birthday gifts. The turquoise and teal colors are exquisite. The orange and rusts are warm counterpoint to the blues.
    So pretty. Enjoy the yarn.
    Thank you for sharing .

  85. LOVE number 1 but, as you said, the birthday yarns might not work as well — I think option 4 is gorgeous too!! And the crop top — darling!!!

  88. I’ve done Quicksilver, it’s an easy knit, and the stripes break up variegated yarns well.

    I’ve done something similar to Xanthe, but I did not care for how the lace+variegated yarn combo came out. It looked way too messy.

    I love Romi’s patterns, and she’s usually active on Rav if you have issues. The whole Romi group is extremely helpful as well.

    I vote for Quicksilver or Tabulature.

  89. My daughter would love the crop top! Options 1 and 4 are my favourites but I’m no knitter so can’t comment on whether they work with the beautiful birthday yarn.

  91. I love option 1, its so vibrant. Maybe its because I have been staring at only grey and white colors for the last two months and I’m a sucker for blue and orange but its wonderful!

  94. I’m stuck between #1 and #4. They are all really great choices, so have fun with whichever you choose.

    Have fun!

  96. My vote is for Option 2. So much so that I just bought that pattern ???? I feel that shawl will give the yarns a beautiful place to shine.

  100. So I realise this is not helping you narrow down your options but have you checked out the patterns of Stephen West?

    • That was my first idea, too, but I think even Mr. West hasn’t got a design that works with two such strongly variegated yarns…maybe one of the new honeycomb designs?

  101. I really like 3, but 4 is a bit fancier. You could wear it out on a dress up date night ????

  102. That birthday yarn is GORGEOUS! The colors are amazing! I’ve knit Xanthe and its lovely. A little tedious (just long and boring) but worth the effort. Love the end effect. Any of these projects are beautiful!

  103. I absolutely love four. But two caught my eye as a beautiful pattern for those gorgeous colors.

  106. My vote is Option 1 or Option 4. Option 3 is also very pretty. Basically, I’m no help at all. Except for Option 2 which is also pretty (maybe with a different color? I’m not a rainbow pattern fan). So really just zero help. 🙂 It’ll be pretty no matter what. Also, sweaters? I guess that’s redundant in Texas. Maybe capelets/fingerless gloves/cowls à la Outlander (which are so so pretty): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5KivO6CCrY. So even more negative helpful. Good luck!

  110. Option 4 for sure! Completely gorgeous!

    You will really appreciate the whole house water purification system. We lived in central Texas and got our water from a well. We literally couldn’t drink it, it tasted so bad, though it was perfectly healthy to drink. Wait till you see how nice your skin will feel!

  112. I think #2 will be the best for the yarns you have. In the alternating section, consider alternating every 2 rows so it ends up as a cohesive section.

  113. I think the busier the colors, the plainer the pattern should be. I vote for Quicksilver using the two skeins on the left. I love the hygge-est vibe of Tablature but just think the pattern calls for more subdued colors.

    Feel like a jerk being so opinionated, but I’m a classics kinda girl.

  117. I love option 1 and 4!! They’re all beautiful! How long does it usually take for you to finish a product?

  120. Tablature????

    If i could knit or crochet anything nice, i’d definitly make a cardigan, or maybe a pulloverdress?????????????????????

  121. You’re going to lose a lot of the definition that high contrast yarns bring (all options but 2) given that 2 of your 3 colors are variegated. I’d look at the project pages on Ravelry for Options 1, 3, and 4 and see if you like the items as much when they are done in variegated skeins. They will lose the crisp vibrancy the images show. Some projects that do well with multi colored yarns, but you’ll have to do some digging.

  122. Maybe Option 5
    For the Alternating stripe section: Use the Black/Red Variegated and the Blue/Red Variegated Use the Blues for the Grey section

    Or Option 1
    Use Blue skeins where the black is
    For the outer shells use the black/red variegated
    For the inner mesh use the Blue/Red variegated

  123. I have zero knitting talent because I don’t have the patience, but Options 1 and 4 are amazing. I personally would buy and wear one of those.

  124. Hi sweet pea. You’re so clever!! I love number 4❤️❤️❤️. It’s beautiful & your yarn colours would look great I think. It would almost grade as a family heirloom don’t you think? I have a black & silver crocheted shawl which my grandmother did for my 18th birthday ( I’m 67 now) which I treasure. I’m sure the kid let’s would treasure a shawl each ❤️❤️❤️

  125. All the patterns are beautiful. I personally like 1 and 4 best, but I’d make any of them happily. They would take my arthritic old hands approximately forever to finish, but I’d make them.
    Actually, I’d *own* any of them happily, but I’m guessing that option 4 involves a lot of “picking up” stitches. I can do it, but I always make a lot of work out the process and do not enjoy it. Too bad. I *really* like it.

    Your new yarn is gorgeous! Enjoy it. Whatever you make will be great. (Gordon did a good job, as usual.)
    I wish I could work with wool like that. The colors of the special dyes are so yummy. It makes me drool, but it also makes me sneeze and itch, so I’m stuck with cotton and linen and acrylics…

  126. Option 4 is lovely! Can you use the seagreen/ petrol one fron your birthday yarn for this? I would love to be able to do this.

  130. Xanthe looks like a good bet with the colorway options and will be beautiful. But I might try one of the others with my various yarns waiting for a job.

  132. Ooooh. #1 or #5. I may have to go look those up and I haven’t knitted in years – they’re so beautiful and romantic.

  136. My vote is 2 or 4, but you can’t go wrong with any of them! Love the pretty new squishy shinys. (Shineys? Shinies? Yarn.)

  140. Option 2 is so pretty and would be beautiful with what you have.
    Kid 1 is lucky, that sweater top turned out lovely.

  144. Option 3 if you want to keep hands occupied without too much brain input whilst reading & /or watching TV

    Or option 4 for an interesting but nice-looking shawl

  146. Option one…screw the exact color lay out in the pattern…your colorful yard would look lovely in this style.

  149. I vote for number 5 – it’s so beautiful, but looks complicated. Oh who am I kidding- I couldn’t make any of them. I could wind the yarn in a ball for you if it helps… ????

  154. I like all of them…but then I’m in a fight with one shawl on the needles (Estonian Wedding Shawl) and don’t like the other (Fade Shawl). Thus I’ve frogged the Fade and am looking thru my Meg Swanson shawl book for something I can do by June for my nephew’s fiance.

    I say do the one you’re likely to use or gift or love.

  156. Option 1 … or Option 4. All are lovely, but those caught my eye.
    Also liked Option 2, but not sure you would enjoy all that garter stitch?

    Hope you enjoy your new project

  159. Tablature by Rosemary Hill is my favorite, it looks so beautiful. I love the crop Top, you are so talented!

  163. My first response is to suggest one of the simpler ones since you often speak of feeling brain dead, but one of the prettier ones so you still feel motivated to want to work on it… Maybe option 2? Since you posted about having unfinished projects, I am fighting my instincts to suggest alternating starting new ones with finishing old ones which is what I would recommend to my husband. (I have a husband with ADHD which means he struggles to finish projects.)

  165. I vote 2 or 4. I have a Romi HIll pattern that is 3/4 done. I love the look of it, but it was over my skill level at the time with all the lace. I’ve done a lot of knitting since then so I am about to go back and finish.

  167. Have you ever watched a cat “make biscuits”? That’s me with textiles. Can’t make myself use them.

  168. Well, the one I love the most is option 5, but not much support for that. You would want to use the solid color for the lace to show off the pattern the best, but I’m sure you know that already. Have fun, the yarn is just gorgeous!

  169. They are all beautiful but numbers 1 and 4 are my favorites. Number 1 is kind of funky goth, number 4 is classic. Is it easy to just add rows to make them wider (to hang lower on the back)? I know you’re not there yet, but I’m finding my lower back gets chilled more easily as I transition from mother to crone so I like my shawls to cover my butt. Heck, I like anything that covers my butt.

  173. Ooo! Hard to choose, they’re all so beautiful!
    #4 and #1 speak the most to me – it’s the Gemini in me that wants both Edwardian elegance and Highland flair.

  176. Hi, Ilona,

    1) Very happy belated birthday and I’m so glad your yarn finally arrived! The skeins are beautiful.

    2) The crop top is gorgeous and I hope Kid 1 enjoys it for a very long time. (I’m very envious of the size small :)).

    3) I vote for Option 5. I like the design, the change between the top and bottom, and the neck. Very unique, to me!

  179. I was actually thinking last night about a question I had for you. What cast on do you use for cuffs/hats/necklines? The tubular looks nice but I haven’t figured it out. I’ve been using alternating cable.

    Also, option 4 for sure!

    I don’t know how you shop for yarn online. I want to feel it before I purchase!

  181. Love the yarn, and really love Option 1 (Fallston). That pattern is stunning, but I agree it won’t work well with the yarn you have. My next favorite is Option 4 (Tablature). It is elegant and classic. Not that you asked, but it gets my vote! 😀

    Well done finishing the crop top – it looks darling and must feel amazing to wear.

  182. I think a bright cardi would be amazing, or the first pattern… My taste is clearly not to be trusted.

  183. I would go for the cardigan, it would be beautiful! But from the shawls, hand down option 4. Its gorgeous! I need to learn to knit! I needlepoint and cross stitch but never learned to knit, though I think my grandma tried to teach me.

  185. It’s very pretty yarn . I’m going to be marginally helpfully and say I like #4 and #5. Have fun what ever you decide.

  188. Options 4 and 1 both gave me the heart-eyes-emoji-face. If you think that the yarn is too variegated for option 1, I bet option 4 would be jaw-droppingly stunning. Whatever you make — may it bring you joy in the doing and the wearing.

    Also — I want to pet those yarn skeins. Pretty!

    I don’t have normal fine motor control of my hands due to a birth injury, so I can’t knit or crochet. I’m always in awe of my friends who take string and make beautiful things out of it with sticks (and practice and talent).

  189. Ummmm, I went back and counted so I think I meant to say option 4. Unless the top was option 1?

    At any rate, the last shawl pictures – lol

  191. Option 4 is amazing and so classy and elegant and pretty! Definitely would love to see you do that!

  194. Glad your birthday yarn finally came. Option 4 (Tablature) is my favorite.

    Have fun with whatever you decide to knit! 🙂

  196. Ohhh….Ahhhh….pretty, pretty yarn!

    Congrats on the finish!

    I would go with option 2. It looks very pretty and I think the colors of your bday yarn would look awesome.

    Happy knitting!

  198. Shawls
    I like: 1 & 5

    Having said that I vote for easiest ????

    I love to knit but physically can’t do it ????‍♀️

    Thank you for your books hope the howling has stopped. I’m waiting for a new puppy arghhh the training can be stressful though once your through that they are such great companions, all the best with new water purification system too.
    Looking forward to the new hidden legacy regards

  199. Wow! So many options, but I fell in love with option 4. Amazing patterns that you find.
    That post office limbo is crazy. I got a box that was sent to me Jan 2020 in December 2020. I used the tracking number on the box to see where it hanging out, and it just comes up as too early to track…11 months later. I am happy it finally arrived and the vase was in 1 piece. Happy knitting with whatever pattern you decide on.

  202. I love option 4., but in the more muted colors. With your lovely, colorful Birthday yarn, I think I like option 2. Better.

  205. Oh, Option 5 is so pretty, and just perfect in every way. I love it!! I crochet and finished a throw for a chair in the front room, and our cat has claimed it as hers. No one may sit on her blanket. Less her wrath be unleashed. Fear. So I’m doing another piece. Such is life.

  206. Your birthday yarn is beautiful. I really love option 4. Enjoy making which ever pattern you pick.

  207. Oh wow! Gorgeous!

    I love option 5. I wonder if you could use the varigated for the lace and top and use the solid for the contrasting v?

  210. Option 4 is so elegant, vote for that – although Option 1 could be stunning. Kudos to Gordon – gorgeous birthday yarn colors. Thank goodness the yarn did not disappear forever into a USPS black hole …

  213. I’m loving option 4, though option 2 would also be good with the birthday yarn. Hmm. I think Option 4 would be really interesting to see with all the variations in color.

  215. Option one and four are my favorites. Four is very sophisticated. But maybe you feel like an easier pattern?

  218. I think the Xanthe is the best pattern for your yarn. The orther three would be better with solid colours. I do love the Fallston pattern but I think it needs the solid contrasting colours to make the colours pop.

  219. I love the looks of option one and five. I do agree though that your birthday yarn may not do option one very well. I like five as I feel you could do it in a lot of different colors and get different looks. Plus I like the lacy edge. Whatever you choose I am sure it will turn out great.

  220. Option 4: Tablature by Rosemary Hill. It’s the most clothing-like of the options, which I always like. Wrapping or unwrapping would make it flexible enough to wear during all kinds of weather. And so pretty.

  221. The yarn is lovely. How about hats and mittens?
    I know Texas is warm, but there must be times when it’s not steaming. 🙂

    Now on to a completely random, non-yarn question.
    Have you ever had Medovik?
    Do you like it?
    Is it worth all of the drama involved in making it?

  224. I really like #4….It’s unusual… your birthday yarn is just beautiful!! Gordon is wonderful, not that you need me to say that, haha.

  225. Option 3, option 4 if you want to do something new. Kudos on the completion and the end result. If Kid 1 ever tires of it my niece would love it.

  226. I vote for Option 1 with the turquoise/seafoam in place of the darker blue and the middle yarn in place of the flame-colored yarn. Yes, there will be less contrast, so if you like contrast, get a solid or semi-solid to sub in for the dark blue. But there will be contrast, just less. As long as the recipient lets you block it, you’ll see the lace. I (personally) rule out Options 2 & 3 — too boring to knit, particularly as you’ve already done #3. And if “not enough contrast” is a concern with Option 1 it really has to be a factor with Option 4, where those stripes at the bottom simply won’t show up. You could make #4 with the turquoise/seafoam and a solid/semi-solid. That would be super pretty. Anyway, YAY for squishy mail! Happy belated birthday. You don’t look a day over 36.

  227. Oooo the yarn is lovely! For the left-over bits, have you considered over-dyeing with acid dyes? I did my first wool dyeing last month and using acid dyes are amazing! One color overdyed on unrelated yarns unifies them. And whoa! I ended up with clear dye water! No messy leftovers! Crazy fun!

  234. I like option 4 but would want to check for how many ends might need to be woven in. Very nice color choices and I like how the middle skeins tie the colorways together.

    Mohair. I would probably wear a well sealing mask if I wanted to knit mohair as fibers always ends up in my mouth. So pretty but mohair for someone else.

  235. I think my other comment disappeared. I vote for option 4 and then I think you should auction it off to BDH for charity. Because I want to bid on it. 🙂

  236. Oh these are all really pretty. I really like Options 1 and 5.

    I’m still working on a massive lace shawl but I’ll have to save these ideas for later as they’re really nice. Seems like a good way to end up with a lot of different shawls and no where to wear them if you’re home constantly knitting… 😛

  241. Option 5, It’s soooo pretty! for some reason it reminds me of a wedding dress. It would be really beautiful with your birthday yarn

  245. I don’t knit, but option 1 and option 4 are the ones I’d love to see in those colors!

    Love that deep teal and the autumnal feel of the rest. <3

    So pretty

  246. Your crop top is lovely! I love Romi’s shawls. And, I just bought that “book” of patterns. All of the designs are nice but, Tableture is my favorite. Your birthday yarn is gorgeous. Unfortunately, My yarn collection is STABLE.( stash accumulated beyond life expectancy) and there will be no new purchases for a long while. Enjoy your new knitting project and please show pictures. I love knitting and quilt porn.

  247. I am so happy you finally received your birthday yarn. Such a good husband.
    Option #5 looks the best to me, followed by option #1.

  252. I vote #1.Looks like it takes 2 skeins, 1 from center and 1 from the right. I did her Catoctin and those instructions were easy to follow. It has a knitted on edge and it took me as long if not longer to do the edge on Catoctin as it did the center. I like #4 but it takes a more yarn and the stripe section is long back and forth knitting and the knit on edge will take a lot of time as well. But if that doesn’t bother you I vote #4

  253. Help. I’m a crocheter. I do only simple things, but love yarns for their color and feel. So I went to the Always and Forever website you recommended. Love their yarns, although can’t afford them. But I don’t know the abbreviations they use on their order pages, and can’t find anything about them on the website. DK? Silky sock? Silk Heaven sock? I’m clearly not in the know about high-end yarns. 😉

    • Hiya! Join Ravelry – a free site for knitters and crocheters. You can type in queries and look at yarns with standardized information independent of the yarn company’s descriptions. Because what you want to know is how many yards/meters are in a skein of 100 grams…

  258. I LOVE Pattern 4, but maybe that particular yarn would look best with Pattern 1, which is also fabulous!

  260. Gordon is so thoughtful and the gift yarn is gorgeous. I love options #1 and #4 myself. Look forward to seeing what you choose and how it turns out. I love items with a lot of color, probably why I love Option #1.

  261. no real preference on the pattern, but looking at them laid out, I’m kind of seeing a lovely sunset after a storm over a lagoon and would do something to play up that angle

  262. I am drawn to the last one, but I have the feeling that you are a much more experienced knitter than I am and able to judge what your yarn wants to be. I am a firm believer that yarn “wants” to be certain things and firmly resist becoming things that don’t suit. My current knit is a color block scarf in stockinette with a garter border. It’s pretty simple but has taken forever to do. Probably because I keep putting it aside and doing other stuff. It’s close to finished and I have no idea what I will do with it. Put it away for a gift next Christmas most likely. Someone could always do with a warm thing as a gift. LOL

  265. I love the crop top, no wonder kid 1 blocked it ???? Patterns 2 and 1 seem less challenging, 4 too much work if you are looking for sth relaxing. I”ll guess 3 may be easier because of previous experience (and violet and kinda pink colors with silver, if I remember correctly, also looked beautiful)

  266. For me it would be the 1st or 4th. I guess it’s all down to the colors and what you think will look best. I look forward to seeing the finished product.

  267. Ooo, I love that yarn! I think option 4 is my favorite pattern, but a loud cardigan is always fun too! Happy belated birthday!

  268. Options 1 and 4 are gorgeous ????
    You could also knit a hat, a sweater for hot water bottle, gloves.. possibilities are endless 🙂

  275. Check out Steven West’s Seashell Shawl. It was a fun knit and you’ve got plenty of yarn for it. I just knit his Hiberknits 2020 Shawl also with some yarn I got from Jems Luxe. So many choices! But I do love Romi Hill’s Shawls as well.

  278. Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the post. Loved your birthday present from Gordon.

    Yes. I sympathize. my due January 7 power bill finally showed up. Monday. January 25. No clue where all It traveled in past weeks. Fortunately I use online bill pay and I had fortunately overpaid because I estimated amount due.

    I like option 1. I know colors are not what your birthday yarn is but it looks to be a nice pattern. Option 4 also looked like an interestingly complex pattern. However whatever you make will be appreciated and worn.

    Out of curiosity I need to make a non standard dog coat for a Rhodesian Labrador. I don’t knit but my sister who does said if I found a pattern and provided yarn she would make. Do you have any suggestions? Narrow V chest with long back (girth is 29 & 3/4 inches and withers to tail socket is 22 & 1/2.). Thank you.

  282. Option 2 is my favourite. I love the lace section and the blue would contrast really nicely with the colours of the other yarn.

    I like option 3 too, but if you’ve made that one before maybe you would rather try a different pattern?

  284. I like option 1 and option 3… both are gorgeous!

    Option 2 is meh and option 4 is really nice…

  289. Option one or four! Don’t worry about how the verigated colours will contrast in the different sections. That’s part of the fun.

  290. I would go for 3 or 4 if only because the symmetry of both appeals more to my eye.
    But that’s just me and I honestly haven’t finished a knitted pattern in years as I’ve been trying to go through my yarn stash and have crocheted more shawls as it uses up yarns faster.

  291. Option 1 or option 4 ????crop top is cute!! Random but have you read anything really good lately that youd be willing to share? Ive reread all your books and am bored outta my mind and need some new reading materia! Were in severe lockdown here!

  295. Option 4 definitely. Different, elegant. Something I could wear over and over. Classic colors will go with everything.

  298. I love option 3. It’s soooo pretty! But I admit, what I love most are the two colors chosen for the picture. Second favorite is option 1. However, I wonder if you could make the color changes work for you. I’m not sure how long each section is, but maybe you could work one skein from one end and the other from the opposite end when you get to the next section of the shawl.

    In any case, have fun making things out of strings!

  299. 4 looks way cool, but 3 is nice as well. Are your hands feeling well enough for this now? That’s great news!

  300. Option 4, with the middle skeins for the lace, and the other colors for a good contrast in the garter areas.

  301. I like 2 for the skeins you received. The lace work in blue would look smashing against the deeper tones.

    Just got a delivery myself of malabrigo – teehee!

  305. I love 4 also but I have so much yarn right now my husband would kill me if I didn’t finish what I have started first.

  307. 2 and 4 are my favorites and sooo dang stunning. All the shawls are beautiful but those two just speak to me.

  311. Glad your package arrived safely! I like option 1 and 4 for patterns. And the red, blue, white mix would be especially good combo for the option 1 pattern.

    I hear you on the post-office woes. Mailed 5 packages on 12/29 and they took 14-16 days to get there; 4 were going locally in the Denver Area! I literally could have walked them there faster…. The 5th package made it to Chicago one day later than expected. When I called the post office, the very nice lady said there was a THREE WEEK back up of local mail. 🙁

    Mailed 2 more packages on 12/31 and they arrived on 1/4. When they were supposed to. At least all included cookies that were meant to be crunchy and so didn’t appear too stale (by report). heh

    Therefore, I’m mailing Valentine day cards out tomorrow so they will get there by mid-February. Not risking cookies or chocolate this time. Who knows how desperate for snacks the USPS workers are at this point in the game?!?!

  315. I cannot look at the colors and imagine what they would look like in a finished piece. That said, I love #1 and #4. Have fun!

  316. Tablature or Fallston. I like the combination of vertical/horizontal and thin/thin on Tablature best though.

    Enjoy you yarn. It’s lovely!

  317. Really like the simplicity and elegance of Xanthe. And I’m wowed by the stripes and shape/length of Tablature but not sure about the lacy part at the bottom.
    I’m a better “devil’s advocate” than “judge!”

  319. I do not knit, but I love the colors in the first two skeins of yarn on the far left in the picture. I could see that being used in the first pattern option and picking another solid darker color for the stripes and zigzags that would either be found in the skeins like the dark gray or one that would look good with all of them like black… the contrast of dark versus bright and solid versus multi color would look great, plus it is a pattern you admitted to wanting to try.

  322. I love the first and the fourth! And it’s making me wish I could knit to make one for myself ☺️

  329. Number 4 is amazing. I am so jealous of your skill to make pretty things.
    My favorite thing to get from my mother in law who knits a lot are knitted booties/thick socks. My feet are constantly cold!

  330. The 4th one is beautiful but not for your variegated yarn. Note it works because of the high contrast of colours used. I’d actually go for an Ambah O’Brien pattern. Hers are designed with variegated yarn in mind.

  333. I’m glad your yarn arrived. These are all great options. Option Three is my favorite (toss up between one and three). What colors will you use? what character would you be channeling? Dina or Maud?

  335. #4 Tablature I like the detail. Could be I just like the colors better than the other samples.

    I ordered two batches of books and ended up contacting the companies to see what happened to them. Seems they were both “stuck” at the post office. Woke up to 3 inches of very wet snow this morning. I’m home with a cold this week. Seeing that I work at a bingo hall sounding like this is not a good thing with all this Covid crap. Oh well, I’m enjoying the time off and the naps.

  339. I think Option 4 would look really pretty with the yarns you have. (They are beautiful btw, are they wonderful to work with?). Love the crop top too. Kid 1 obviously agrees. Doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?!

  342. Option One!! With the gorgeousness of your BD gift will be Stunning!! I’m sooooo jealous!

    Happy Knitting!

  343. Option 5:

    Summer Rain shawl and/or Destination Unknown as seen on Ravelry.

    Sorry did not know how to import pics.

  344. .. love option 2, Xanthe. simple shape with really lovely contrasting panels, and strong diagonals, always interesting.
    plus, beautiful name!

  346. You’re my favorite author/s AND you knit? Goodness, just when I thought I couldn’t love you more. And for the record, my vote goes to #1.

  347. Option 4. Looks wonderful. Has a tailored look with the pattern from the back. I don’t knit so I don’t know how easy or difficult this option is.

  356. I like that last one, number four, very much! I’m not sure how well it would work with variegated yarn, but it sure is a lovely pattern!

  357. I think option 2 will look gorgeous with your birthday yarn! I also love option 2’s design.

  360. Ilona you do a beautiful job on your knitting. Keep it up. I would like to see what you come up with when you make a Tablature in that mohair yarn you made for kid 1.

  361. Everyone seems to be going for option 4. I like option 2, I think it is because the name. It reminds me of the Xanthe world series lol

  362. Beautiful job on the crop top. My choice is to choose the project that best fits your needs to needs for getting yourself balanced in life, or gives you a challenge to your skill, or one that can just be fun to do. What ever you need in life, that is the project you should work on. Have fun and thanks for all the great books you and your husband have put out. They have been a godsend during these trying times.

  363. Tablature! It’s gorgeous and so is the yarns. I’m checking Always And Forever out; I( never heard of it. 🙂

  364. I think Option 4: Tablature by Rosemary Hill is just gorgeous!! Of course I like all of the options you showed, but my favorite would definitely be Option 4. I see all the beautiful yarn and the gorgeous things to be made, and really wish I knew how to knit! Unfortunately my Rheumatoid arthritis has hit my hands (wrists and knuckles) pretty hard and I don’t see knitting in my future. I will have to continue to live vicariously through the lovely creations of others. ????

  366. Choices, choices, choices! “Tablature” gets top billing with “Xanthe” a close second, on the wow scale. But “Xanthe” edges ahead on the tv knitting front with those garter sections. All of them look fun. Love to see your FOs!

  372. I love that you are a knitter. I have knit many a pair of socks and many shawls while listening to your wonderful books.

    I vote for option 2. Since your yarn is “busy” I think a simpler pattern will let it shine.

    Now, I need to check out Always and Forever, a new dyer to me, while my last yarn order wanders around regional postal facilities clear across the country from both the yarn shop and my home.

  374. Option #4…something I can see me wearing, especially to weddings. Hopefully it’s not too hard to make.

  375. I was looking for a new project and fell in love with tablature. Went to buy it immediately. Now comes the fun part – looking at all the pretty yarn….

  385. I am no help. I am terrified of working with fabrics as I am become a beast with two left hands and ten thumbs the second I touch it. I am also obsessed with #4 as I love the gradual pattern. I do have to say those colors have motivated me to paint with them as they are stunning!

  388. Option 5 is sooo beautiful! I mean, they’re all lovely, but 5 is a stunner. Personal opinion, I know.

  389. I chose knitting as my new hobby to learn in 2020 and it’s been so fun. I’m currently knitting a block afghan where every block is a different stitch in order to practice. I have 1 complete square, undid 1 that was almost finished because I slipped a stitch and couldn’t figure out how to fix it, and am now attempting a third that is proving it might be a little above my current ability…sigh. The learning curve is steep, but overall I am enjoying it.

    As fir your shawl options, 1 & 4 are amazing! But you may be right about the yarns you have to work with.

    Happy knitting!

  393. Tablature by Rosemary Hill, hands down my favorite. Of course you will do what appeals to you, the others are just too catalina for my taste, the tablature seems like Dina visiting maud

  394. Option 5 is perfect for birthday yarn 🙂 claims this is a duplicate post for some reason?

  395. Ooooo. 1 or 4 whichever would actually get worn and go with your yarns. Those may be the prettiest shawls I’ve ever seen

  397. Love, love, love option 4 and your beautiful birthday yarn! My 13 yo is teaching herself to knit, but I don’t have that skill so I’m impressed by all of these!

  398. I vote for option 2. Use the blue yarn with a black. Now I want to buy yarn. This isn’t your fault. Just seeing pretty yarn makes me want to buy more yarn. Sock yarn is an addiction that I just don’t want to cure.

  399. Happy belated birthday! I love the crop top- great pattern & color choice. Your yarn is gorgeous and I bet it feels amazing. I’m a knitter too so I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to share my opinion. I suggest 1. Melanie Berg’s Quicksilver (her patterns are written so well) or 2. Ambah Obrien’s Xanthe (the pattern is gorgeous & easily modified for color).

  400. I had no idea you were a knitter. Although, maybe Martha and Evdokia’s knitting should have clued me in. Take a look at my designs page on Ravelry https://www.ravelry.com/designers/helen-silva, and if there’s something you like let me know and I’ll either email you the pdf, or gift it to your library if you’re a Raveler.
    BTW, LOVE all your books. Great characters, plots, and writing style. Always look forward to your publications.

  402. My pick is option one and four. Since you are a knitting master, I feel like I can suggest you do both. 😉