I went up to Red Hook to Bead@Spring today to look for beads for Charm. I started to get beads for this sweater shortly after I purchased the Rowan 4 cotton glace, but then got bogged down and shoved it aside. My first foray into bead shopping was at BeadsONFifth when I was in NYC with Mary in early July. Although it was a nice bead shop, I had trouble finding anything I wanted for this sweater and I spent a long time. I finally came up with some tiny delica seed beads in two colors and some large dusky amethyst colored beads, which might be a lttle large, but which really look nice with the yarn. Then I was stumped. The beads were thrown in a corner, along with Charm, where they sat, taunting me, ever since.
Each time I would drive through or by Red Hook I would be reminded that someone told me the bead shop there was really nice, and I would be determined to bring my yarn next time. Well, you know how it is, next time just never materialized. This week I was determined to get those beads ready, especially since I intentionally left this sweater out on the stack to be completed soon, rather than retiring it until next spring.
Today I finally managed to get my act together. I spent about an hour and a half, looking through the beads, counting out beads and generally making a decision. The original Rowan pattern calls for 4 types of beads (two of which are pearls) and charms. I couldn’t find enough of some of the beads I liked so I am using a greater variety of beads in smaller quantities each. There will be no charms in my charm. I haven’t found anything that I liked, nonetheless I am really excited about the possibilities now and think the final result will be quite charming. (Ain’t I just terrible?)
The colors aren’t nearly as vibrant in the photo as they are in real life. Now I am eager to get started, although I know I will curse the day I said that once I get going on this sweater. Most of the sweater is knit in plain old stockinette and I will rue this decision.
At any rate, I have to finish Posh or Tesla first, and hopefully finish Wine&Roses as well.
And speaking of Tesla, she is progressing again. I was much more careful getting started this time, knitting on the table where I could see it, and I did the cast-on and first two rows at knitting group where Alexine could very kindly spot me.
I wonder where that pinkish tint has come from — it must be a reflection off Wine&Roses which is sitting just outside the photo.