Normally Ana and I look forward to November, anxious to get started knitting. That’s because November is NaKniSweMo, or National Knit a Sweater Month. Styled after NaNoWriMo (but without the AI), NaKniSweMo is organized around knitting (or crocheting) a sweater of 50,000 stitches in the month of November. A little challenge, if you will.
Ana and I have taken part in this November ritual since 2010 or so. When fall comes around we’re eagerly poring over patterns, pulling out yarn and needles and getting ready to knit. This year has been a bit different for so many reasons.
First, my knitting has been extremely limited this year due to tendonitis. I’ve only recently been able to knit consistently for any length of time, and I still don’t have what it takes to get me through an entire sweater this month. Ana, on the other hand, is ready to knit, but completely overbooked. Between prepping for Chicago Planner Con, Black Friday and new and holiday merchandise (plus a few freelance jobs and you know… trying to get a business launched) she just hasn’t had the free time to finish old projects and get ready to start anew.
That said, we still love NaKniSweMo and, after last week, we need some knitting to soothe our troubled souls (with homage to the late, great Elizabeth Zimmerman).
Ana hasn’t delved into a new project just yet because she’s still finishing up a sweater she really wants to wear. She’s very close (just a bit of a sleeve away) to finishing a version of the Layer Cake Cardigan in two luscious yarns. You can’t see it super well here, but that dark color is actually almost a rainbow yarn overdyed in black!
I, on the other hand, decided to tackle a something new, bored with all the projects that have been staring at me unfinished all year long. Even though I know I won’t finish this month, I decided to cast on for an Askews Me Sweater designed by Stephen West. I knit a version a few years ago as a shop sample, and I’ve always been eager to knit one for myself as a kicky little tunic for winter.
Here’s what it will look like when finished (from the last version I knit):
And here’s what I have so far:
Here’s hoping your November dreams come true as well!
Wow!
Ow what a fun concept, I love it! Not sure why I have not yet heard of this idea? And the overdyed yarn is fabulous, oth stylishly somber AND rainbow!!
I’m doing NaBloPoMo this month, but I might get some knitting in too if I am lucky!
I don’t have much time to knit anymore but love Stephen West designs. I’ve knitted several of his shawls-lots of stitches but awesome
I’m still plodding through on a TULC (The Ultimate Lazy Cardigan) that hopefully will be completed in the next two weeks. I’m just going to say this counts for 2024.
Love the dark overdyed rainbow yarn. Wherever did Ana find it?
I’m slowly writing/ revising a novel this year so less knitting time right now. ( Unless anyone knows a good dictation software that ISN’T dragon. Suggestions are most welcome )
What is that gorgeous yarn you’re knitting your Askews Me out of?
Thanks for asking! It’s called Nightshade and its from Zen Yarn Garden. Unfortunately they are in the process of closing down right now, so I don’t know if there is more available.