Proving A Pattern Name Wrong -- Bleak in Rowan Brushed Fleece

Yes, oddly, this pattern is named Bleak!  I looked up the word in the dictionary to see if I was missing a cheerier meaning this long, long winter:

Charmless and inhospitable?  Not hopeful or encouraging?!  Tell me about it.  But then this saved me:

Aha!  That's me that's me!  Shining and white in my bleak wintry Maine.

It's been a trying winter my friends.  I'll tell you about why later, but at least I've had a little cardi to keep me fluffy and happy.  This is Bleak from Kim Hargreaves, from her wonderful book North.

The cable has a bit of a DNA look too, hey?  Good project to maintain my new rep at The Jackson Laboratory (I'm an "Associate Research Scientist", after all).  You don't see the front in the pattern pic, but there is a nice embellishment of bobbles down the opening of this little guy.

But let's start with the yarn, shall we?  This is Rowan Brushed Fleece, which was what the pattern was written for (I know, I'm über conformist this time around).  It was my MOST favorite yarn released in the last year, from the A/W 2014 season.

There are two things I love about this yarn.  First, it is soft, warm, lofty and just begging to be cuddled up in.  But there's lots of yarns like that, right?  The unique part of this yarn is the weight per yardage.  This is a bulky yarn that WEIGHS HALF AS MUCH AS YOU ARE USED TO.  It is made of 65% wool, 30% alpaca and 5% polyamide... I think the polyamide just holds this stuff together because it is spun like cotton candy... seriously, they should come out with a pastel pink shade just for the very good correlation!

Listen, let me give you an example.  Here's a pattern for Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds Chunky that I've had my eyes on, Scafell by Marie Wallin.

Both yarns knit to a 13 stitch gauge, but guess what?  It calls for 1.2 kilos of Sheep Breeds yarn for size small (!omg), but a Brushed Fleece version would only need 600g!  Which would you rather wear on a long walk on the moors?

You have got to get your hands on this stuff.

(But... ok, it's not candy floss straight from heaven.  It's soft, so be prepared for pilling.  It will pill around the elbows and such, and you will need to groom it.)

This is one of those few patterns I've really followed from start to finish as is, with the usual arm lengthening of course.  The yardage is off by at LEAST one ball.  Do make sure to buy an extra -- actually, I'd buy 2 extra if I were you.

My favorite quest of late was for the buttons.  Back when I was on the lam (and I mean not working rather than running from the law), I visited Fabricate in downtown (yes, we have one) Bar Harbor.  It's mostly for quilting (and oh!  the things!), but there is a little yarn and a serious button stash.  It's not easy to find matching sets of buttons in the color coded jugs, but wouldn't you know, the co-owner/writer/welleverythinggoodyoucanthinkof Nessa showed me a big button collection she had just received.  Apparently an older gentleman from town had just come to unload it (there may have been a clean-it-or-else ultimatum involved), and many of the sets looked like they came from coats.  Score!

Spot the Werther's Originals.

I bought 3 sets, but in the end decided that the clear bubble buttons would mirror my bobbles beautifully.  Most of them actually have air bubbles inside, but I would need some fab macro camera to show you them.  **so just come visit and I'll show you

It's an immensely pleasing piece and quick off the needles.  If you want something light to throw on but warm like a heavy wool sweater... go for it!

As you can see, the snow doesn't abate.  It was charming in January, but now it's just become a chore and a liability.

1. Ginormous plow bill.  $
2. Propane truck refuses to come because of ice, then comes and gets stuck in driveway for 3 hours, needs to be hauled out with a front loader.  $$
3. That little aluminum shed that we didn't pay any attention to because well... WE'VE NEVER LIVED HERE TO EVEN OPEN THE DOOR YET??  Yep, the roof caved in.  $$$
4. Worried about that, we pay to have someone shovel our actual roofs.  Cha-ching!  $$$$

I've really had it.  No, really.

In other news, after living 4.5 weeks on our living room couch, our beautiful upstairs hardwood floors are in!

This was the Evil Teddy Bear Room.

Stair transition.

Our home cinema room.  Someday?

I just love how the dark boards (that I was too cheap not to keep) match the honey brown trims.  It's really nice, but obviously way colder than the wall to wall carpeting that was there before.

Now for area rugs antiquing... this one caught our eye!  It's Iranian and so long and heavy, I had not a chance to show you the whole thing.

Okay, the deer hoof rack also caught my eye, but maybe for other reasons?

We also finally received the kitchen island cabinetry.  Here we are high on wine thinking about putting it together.  You will be please to know we were sober enough to desist.

Well, I have a ton ton ton of stuff on the needles, so I'll be doing a WIP tour soon!  I know you all like those so you can spy on how crazy I really am.

See my Anything But Bleak on Ravelry

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