Began a new project last night.

And this is how I think: The new "Knitter's" came (and I have to say, of this and Vogue's fall issues, there wasn't much that inspired me). The one sweater I did kind of like was the "windowpane" sweater - it's all garter stitch but has big windowpane openings at the hem and cuffs. The sample garment is made out of Artful Yarns "Legend" - which reminded me, I had a bunch of "Legend" on hand for a project.

So I went and dug it out, and started it. It's the crocheted stole in the Winter 03/04 Family Circle Easy Knitting and Crochet - it's #13, if I remember correctly, but doesn't have a name (poor stole! Nameless!). I'm using the same color ("Joan of Arc") as the example garment, which is kind of rare for me. But, as with many of Artful Yarns' yarns, it's the association with the name more than the color that grabs me. I wanted to be wrapped in a stole named for Joan of Arc, just like I want a scarf made out of a yarn called George Bailey. (For a scientist, I'm quite superstitious that way. I also admit to still carrying a "lovey" with me in my carryon bag when I travel).

Anyway. I began it last night and have the first of six flower motifs (the ends of the stole) mostly done. The instructions as written confused me but once I started going they made sense - basically you are making a sort of really big really open granny square.

The "Legend" is a pleasant yarn to work with. It's nicely fuzzy, not scratchy but fairly natural feeling, the subtle color changes keep it interesting. I could see making a sweater out of this yarn. It's sort of like "Circus" (another of Artful Yarns' products) but is thinner and lighter weight and more tightly spun and doesn't "squeak" like Circus does. (Or at least did when I knit a sweater of it).

And you know, it reminds me again of the differences between crochet and knitting. I have to say, I like both. I like them for different things, though. Crochet is good for three-dimensional sculptural forms, and it's also good for very openwork things. It does not work well (unless, I suppose, you are using a tremendously fine yarn or thread) for garments like sweaters made in a closed sort of stitch - it gets very stiff and "boardy" fast. Which may be part of the reason why some diss crochet - it's sometimes been used in the past, IMHO, the wrong way. Kind of like using a screwdriver to pound in a nail. If that's all you'd ever used a screwdriver for, you'd gripe about what a lousy tool it was and what ugly results it gave.

But used for the right things, crochet is pretty nice. I think I'm going to like making this stole.

Another difference is the real ease of ripping back crochet - like I said, I didn't grok on the instructions the first couple times (the "cluster" stitch got me). So I ripped back. And it's a lot easier than in knitting - no loose stitches that have to be grabbed before they ladder, no tedious picking-back-up.

Knitting, on the other hand, I think presents a more finished appearance when it's done as a "solid" stitch. It drapes a lot better. I think it's easier on my wrists than crocheting is. (I crochet weird; I hold both the yarn and hook in the same hand). It may be more flexible in what you can do with it.

But they're both useful tools. And it will be fun to make this stole.