Peacock Blue

Some of my projects are things I’ve been itching to make for awhile, and there is nothing like a sale at one of my favorite yarn stores to turn a dream into reality.

I have a Bernat pattern book in my collection that contains cable and raglan knitting patterns. There isn’t a copyright date, but judging from the hairstyles of the models, I place it between the early to mid 1960s. All of the patterns are classic and very wearable now, and there are several I would like to make eventually. However, there is one in particular that I am in love with; a sweater dress with a cable collar and sleeves. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s pictured in one of my favorite colors – peacock blue.

I forget when I bought this book. I know I’ve had it a few years now. The purchase of a pair of boots I bought a couple of months ago prompted me to pull it off the shelf. Since the yarn called for in the dress pattern was discontinued years ago, I did some research for suitable substitutes. I found some nice possibilities online, but since a dress requires lots of yarn I decided it would need to wait a while longer.

Last Friday I needed to run an errand in Old Town Spring after I got off work. I told my husband I would take care of buying dog food from one of our favorite venders there, so it would be one less stop to make during the weekend. Very obligingly, he asked me if I needed any yarn, reminding me that the yarn store just west of Old Town Spring was having a gum ball sale. Since I would be driving by it on my way home, there was no reason I couldn’t stop. Of course, I left with the yarn needed for my dress. I chose a peacock blue just a little darker than the pattern photo. I also bought 3 skeins of brown yarn. The store was a bit short of the peacock blue in the yarn of my choice, but I had already been considering a color blocked design. The yarn I fell in love with is a wool and alpaca blend. Soft, cozy alpaca is one of my favorite fibers. Committing to a 2-color design didn’t require any convincing.

I did a gage swatch that evening and have been working on the back piece for the last week. I’ve completed about 12 inches so far. It would be grand if I finished the dress before this winter ended. Though I’ve been knitting more than 20 years now, I don’t think I’m that fast. Still, it is a worthy goal, so we’ll see what happens. Wish me luck.

The Project Queen