Here is the proof that I have been a "good" knitter. I made a few swatches until I got one that matched the gauge given in the pattern. I even washed, blocked and dried it before starting to knit. I found a pattern I love (Age of Aquarius sweater from Interweave Knits) and a soft yarn that will show off the cables nicely - on sale, no less. You have to love a sweater that costs less than $20 to make, even with some alpaca and mohair mixed in with the wool and acrylic.

Only trouble is, I am not feeling the love just yet. The ball of yarn is soft, squishy and kind of glow-y, the swatch is lovely and soft with nice stitch definition, my new Knit Picks Harmony needles are doing a nice job - but one full inch into this big sweater full of cables, I am not having fun yet.

I am hoping it is just because the last project off my needles was a pair of turquoise baby alpaca sparkly mittens for my daughter, and sparkles not withstanding, baby alpaca is the softest knit going. Just before that I made a scarf that was 50% mulberry silk and 50% merino wool. Maybe my hands are just having a bit of rebellion after all that luxury yarn and that is why I am finding this knit scratchy and annoying to start.

Here's to hoping it gets better, Most projects usually do - I have to confess that I rarely enjoy knitting anything for the first three inches or so. Here's to hoping that knitting up this loosely plied yarn at a relatively tight gauge will make it lovely and warm and that soon I will stop worrying about splitting every stitch.