Here’s the thing. While I believe it’s possible to lead a completely secluded and private live, away from all human contact, relying only on oneself – and even though there are days when I fantasize pretty wildly about giving that a shot, the truth is that I think we all do better when we’re around each other. It keeps us accountable, and reliable, and sane. We behave better because other people are watching, and for those of us given to impulsive flights of fancy that begin with phrases like "You know what would be fun…" or "How hard could it be?" having other people around can be an important sanity check. That’s why yesterday surprised the heck out of me. Normally, I say something like "I think I’ll knit a sweater in ten days" and either you guys come out and say that you think it’s crazier than a bag of wet weasels, or someone like Rams, Presbytera or ThatRachelH will say something subtler like "Hold on, let me just get the popcorn, this should be fun to watch" and I get tipped off that my plan is a little dodgy. I’ve learned that anytime one of those three thinks my life is going to be fun for them, then I know that it’s going to be as much fun for me as a Brazilian wax. (Not that I’ve had a Brazilian wax, you understand – but I’ve seen pictures and mentally placed it in the same category as going for a 10 hour car ride with a difficult relative and no yarn. Just not going to happen.)
Now, yesterday when I announced my plan to knit a sweater in ten days, only a few people said it was crazy and my three weathervanes said nothing (which by the way, was total cheating, since I know with certainty that 2/3 are occupied at present.) The rest of you? I don’t know how fast you knit, I don’t know what sweater experiences you’ve had, and you didn’t even know what sweater I’m planning – so I felt like I didn’t have to take your warnings all that seriously. I did see one comment from someone that regularly knits Rhinebeck sweaters, and does know me, and could guess what sort of sweater I’m planning, and that was Glenna, and she said:
I added a 2nd Rhinebeck sweater to my knitting when Rhinebeck was 2 weeks out, even though my 1st one isn’t quite done yet, so heck yes. You can totally do a sweater in 10 days, I believe in you!
I’m taking that to the bank. Glenna would know. She knits tons of stuff, and designs tons of stuff, so that means this is a totally doable plan – and with that decision, I took my yarn (The very fabulous and sadly discontinued Classic Elite "Waterlily") and my pattern: Miss BB – and I started. 
Now, a sweater in ten days is a bit of a stretch (especially when I’m teaching two of those days – but whatever, I find it easier not to cloud the issue with facts and logic) and so I’m going to do a few things differently so that I reduce the chance for defeating errors.
1. I made a swatch. 
I admit, this swatch is small, but I don’t find them super reliable anyway – but I did knit it, and wash it, and feel great about it.
2. I started with a sleeve. I did this because a) sleeves make great swatches. They’re bigger, and way more reliable indicators of actual working gauge. b) It always comes down to the sleeves and I hate that. c) Sleeves are comparatively small parts of sweaters, and if a sleeve isn’t working out you can almost always come back from that.
3. I am not going to put it in the oven. At all. 
At the end of last night I had a sleeve done, and I washed it, blocked it – and this morning it’s dry, and my gauge is still good – and I really like it, and I think it’s going to fit, and – 
This could work. It doesn’t feel too crazy at all. I admit, I could be just running on the high that a sleeve in a day gives any knitter, but I’m going to go with Glenna on this, and not think too much about the URL in the address bar for her blog. Only forward.
PS. Thanks for saying the food looked yummy in yesterday’s post. It was! The delicious looking brussel sprouts are from Canadian living, and they were outstanding, and the tart thing is a Potato Tatin from the great vegetarian cookbook Plenty, which is so fabulous it’s getting ridiculous action in our kitchen. I can’t recommend it enough, even for carnivores. Everybody eats veggies.
I also used waterlilly for my Miss BB. It’s a lovely sweater and the yarn is so nice against your skin. Good luck!
My goodness – that is such a pretty color.
Such a gorgeous colour. Makes me wish I could wear orange! Have never heard of Waterlily. Have I been living under a rock?
Your Job-like friends (Rams, Presbytera, and ThatRachelH) were silent only because you omitted “Hold my beer; watch this!” from your post.
And I am wondering what you’d get if you crossed a slice of crazy pie with a bag of wet weasels.
That is some righteous good sense, there, to start with the sleeves. I mean, you have a bit swatch, AND you have a sleeve! Half of the sleeves are done already!
That’s a triumph, right there.
OK, basic knitting, no fancy lace or cables that might require a frogging. I PREDICT that this will be your WEBS sweater and the Rhinebeck sweater is still to come. (Take that, Steph)
To be fair, when I added MY 2nd Rhinebeck sweater into my plan, “You can do it, I believe in you!” was what several knitter friends said to me, so I feel pretty solid in spreading the validation. It’s a circle of life kind of thing. (OR a circle of delusion, whichever. I get knitted stuff out of it either way.)
Knowing the antics of these sweaters, I hope you have enough Waterlily since its discontinued! I noticed Cindy at the top may be a resource if need be! (I’m just saying…)
Well… to be fair to all of us (your well-wishers/amused onlookers), you manage to pull off some pretty crazy knitting feats. So really, a sweater in 10 days with two of the days being teaching days sounds totally do-able. For you. The rest of us mere mortals will grab a beer and sit back to watch what happens. But at least we’re rooting for you (even if we’re also grinning a little). Go get ’em Tiger! (and by “’em” I mean your Rhinebeck sweater)
Wait, did you say… “discontinued yarn”? — Hokay, I’m gonna watch. Not that I don’t think you think that you have plenty of yarn, but I also have been reading your blog for a few years and, Steph, I hope you DO have enough. I hope you do.
Good Glory! If you can manage an adult sleeve in less than one full day of continuous, uniterrupted knitting, a sweater in 10 days is totally doable. (by you, you understand. Not by me! not ever!)
(Ma’am, please step away from the oven)
Your friends aren’t Job-like; they are like Job’s friends. And they will probably bust me for sloppy writing, rather than Bible ignorance.
Well, then I’ll say today what I was going to say yesterday. I have knit a sweater in 10 days, so as long as it’s a worsted weight or heavier you’re all good. You know. Probably.
Just printed out the Brussels sprouts recipe–YUM!
Thank you,
Ooh nice pattern choice. Since I’ve seen you knit in person several times, I have no doubt you can do it! I had big dreams of finishing Opposite Pole before Rhinebeck but I have since come to my senses and decided that I’m really off my rocker with that notion, I’m instead going to knit up my unicorn hat that is mainly made out of Malabrigo Rasta. Now THAT I am sure I can complete before getting on my plane for NY!
Beautiful yarn and I have been admiring that sweater pattern. Can’t wait to see yours.
Who is doing the driving to Rhinebeck?
And how are you getting to/from your teaching assignments?
But, seriously, anyone who has been reading this blog more than two Christmases knows that you can churn out a lot of knitting in a very short period of time.
And Miss BB looks just about perfect. Just enough pattern to keep you entertained and not enough to be totally impossible to accomplish in a short period of time.
So, carry on…and good luck!
(PS – If you want to make it interesting, maybe you should knit TWO sweaters. After all, Rhinebeck is a TWO-day festival!)
…and look at that. You already have a sleeve done, and it’s working out. Do the other one, for the matched set, make sure they match, and you’re well on your way.
I figure you’ll have it knocked out in 8 days, even with teaching for two of them. Because you’re a knitting machine that scares me.
In the scope of sweaters, the one you picked isn’t all that crazypants. Good luck! I hope you have enough yarn.
It’s knit in Aran, totally doable in 10 days. That sleeve looks great!
Well, I just took your Knitting for Speed and Efficiency class, and although I couldn’t knit a sweater in 10 days (however, I did more than double my knitting pace throwing on a circular), I am firmly convinced you will. Now, if one is 2 weeks out and has convinced oneself 2 sweaters are possible, I’d have my doubts.
Love Miss BB. Can’t wait to see it finished. You’ll class up Rhinebeck big time.
Sleeves first is a great strategy, strike while the iron (ardor) is hot!
My current sweater is in the ‘am I done with waist shaping yet?’ stage.
So I read yesterday’s post and thought, “oh dear, she is headed for trouble.” Not that I thought it was out of the question though. Seeing today’s post, I’m thinking:
1. She definitely has a plan, a smart plan.
2. That is an awesome looking color and will look great on you.
3. A sleeve in one night is impressive, plus the sleeves always seem to drag on, so you have one done already.
4. This really looks like it can be done. Even if not completed by Rhinebeck it will be a great looking sweater.
Looking forward to seeing it done. Karma has to eventually be on your side for these things. Hopefully this is that time.
I knit a Miss BB in 9 days this past March. Should be a piece of cake for you! It’s a great knit & very wearable.
Sorry I didn’t comment yesterday…had to run out for the popcorn.
But yes, of course you can do it! Miss BB is a great sweater, and I’m betting there’s another started before you leave for Rhinebeck. You always inspire me with your amazing knitting.
I’ve done a sleeveless sweater (well, cap sleeves) in 2 weeks out of sock yarn, so I completely think sweaters in 10 days are possible. For me that would involve a worsted weight ideally (especially if I wanted long sleeves), but it could be done. Your sleeve looks awesome, so I’m glad you are going for it!
Waterlily is discontinued????
Oh dear me.
I love that yarn.
Well, it will be a nice farewell to it to see what you make of it.
Sigh. It’s lovely stuff eh?
Enjoy it!
That was one fast sleeve! And it’s beautiful. I’ll take care of putting knitting in the oven – I have some mittens in there right now, hoping they dry in the next three hours so I can gift them to a friend. Does 200 degrees sound about right?
How fast do you knit, anyway? Is there a video anywhere I could watch to pick up tips? How does anyone knit a sleeve for a sweater (full size, no less) that includes cables in part of a day?! HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?!
Ah, Waterlily! I am knitting with that exact color right now (a cabled scarf from the Cascade book) and wishing I could knit with this yarn for the rest of my life. I do have a fair amount stashed, but my first thought when I saw you’d given it a shout-out was, “Oh dear, now I will never be able to get any more of it anywhere–the Blog will rush out and buy it all up.”
Can’t wait to see your Miss BB in it. Happy Rhinebeck.
Just because no one said it doesn’t mean that we all didn’t colletively reach for the popcorn. Why nix a good show in the making? Also, if sleeves are a relatively small part of a sweater, then why does it take freakin’ forever to finish them? It’s not called Sleeve Island for nothing.
I’ve done a sweater in ten days… but it was with worsted weight yarn, a simple pattern, and I was unemployed. Does that still count?
You can do it!
You know, I read the words, “I knit a swatch” and suddenly alarm bells went off. Can’t explain why just yet, but we’ll see….
A sweater in ten days with discontinued yarn? This project has your name all over it.
I’m going to start my first adult-sized sweater here in a little bit and I do believe I’ll copy you and start with a sleeve. genius.
I plead guilty to saying nothing because I rarely comment here and figured everyone else would have it covered in the “You’ve got to be KIDDING!” department. I take eons to knit sweaters (well, months, anyway) and I never design my own, and generally stick to socks, so what do I know?
Well, I know that your yarn is a glorious colour and I love the cable-and-occasional-garter-row combination, and that you can do anything because you’re The Yarn Harlot!
🙂
I didn’t comment on your last post because I felt something of a 50-50 and didn’t know what to say. On the one hand–especially since I see the pattern–it looks very doable, especially for someone who knits as fast as you do. On the other hand…well…there seems to be something of a…block…about event sweaters, especially Rhinebeck sweaters.
So in practical terms, I believe in you! In terms of the Weird Things that go on with Rhinebeck sweaters…good luck.
(Also, I signed in to Ravelry just so I could bookmark Miss BB. I WANTS IT.)
I predict that PLENTY will get a big harlot bump… I just ordered the Kindle edition from Amazon… much less $$ and I can read it on my I PAD and thus see the color photos. Thanks for the recommendation
And that sweater pattern is gorgeous. I keep saying I won’t make a sweater like that until I lose weight cause it won’t look pretty on a fat person.. I should either just knit it in XL, or lose weight since this is a pattern to knit…
a) We should just all agree that knitting never, ever should be in the oven. It was not made for yarn it was made for cooking food and occasional Shrinky Dinks. Please, shall we just decide that even turning it on means you should phone a friend to be talked off the ledge?
b) This year, instead of knitting a Rhinebeck sweater, I am delaying chemotherapy by 2 weeks to come at all. Anyone want to imagine the faces of the surgeon and oncologist I told that to today? Also, after a day of hearing a lot of overwhelming information, I am adopting this as my mantra: “…whatever, I find it easier not to cloud the issue with facts and logic.” Thanks!
Ok. So I thought it was nuts. But it takes me months to knit a sweater. So I really can’t comment on how long it’ll take you to knit this sweater. And I have to admit, it did occur to me that a sweater in 10 days might lead to some great writing, and I really love your great writing.
Your crazy deadlines give me hope that someday I’ll stop being chauffeur and cook to a house of men (young and old). And that someday I’ll be able to knit more than 15 minutes a day. Knit on!
Sleeve looks great. It’s going to be another gorgeous sweater!
(a) Never underestimate the power of the YarnHarlot on a deadline – we all know she can knit like the wind.
(b) It may be sewn up on the way to Rhinebeck and blocking out with the sheep, but it will be done!
(c) The process will be entertaining no matter what happens. Keep us updated!
I only have half a sweater to knit before Rhinebeck, it’s in Aran, and I’m not sure I’ll finish it… but then, I’m a super-slow knitter, and these days my knitting time seems to have dried up (I have a huge assignment due for school on Tuesday and work and lack of sleep have been kicking my ass). My friend Kari, on the other hand, she of the ridiculous speedy knitting, finished her Brigid sweater (for Rhinebeck) in two weeks.
You? YOu can do this with no problem whatsoever 🙂
In my defense, I didn’t say anything about it being crazy because:
1. Saying something has not stopped you in the past.
2. You’ve have often come close, taken the in-progress sweater with you, and finished on the road, still being able to wear it for the planned event.
3. You did not say you were teaching 2 of the 10 days.
4. You did not give us a glimpse of the intended pattern (and actually, the chosen one is quite sane for a short window project).
5. I’ve seen you finish a complicated Norweigan ski sweater in 16 days (the first knitting Olympics) even after knitting a sleeve with the wrong sized needle and needing to rip and re-knit.
6. You knit like the wind – and a completed sleeve in one night is proof of that. Plus you’re relatively small, so less to knit!
Of course you can do it!
I knit a sweater in that same color of Waterlily in about ten days. The fastest I’d done a sweater before that was six weeks. It was a top down yoked sweater from the last Interweave that was fairly straightforward, but if I could do that I’m sure you can finish yours. I was planning on wearing it to Rhinebeck as well, I might add.
Waterlily is the nicest yarn ever and I’m lucky I have two other sweater lots of it (binged at WEBS), but I still wish they hadn’t discontinued it. I think it was partly the yarn that helped me knit so fast.
You knit a sleave in probally more than six hours… YOU KNIT A SLEAVE THAT IS ADULT SIZED IN A NIGHT! Girl! How fast do you knit?! I can do a couple inches in a day, but you made a sleave in a NIGHT!!!!!! WOW!
I so want to see you knit to see how on earth you do this.
I love the color! Love it! Love it!
(ps to ChristieinVT: for delaying your chemo for your love of knitting and yarn and living life, I salute you!)
I, too, believe everything that Glenna C. says. She’s a goddess.
I think you can do it, especially because you started with the sleeves, I have heard more people say how they hate the sleeves because it seems like they will never finish them and the sweater because of it. This way you have them all done and can concentrate on the body and you will have a clue as to how you are doing. I think a sweater at the rate you knit in 10 days is doable.
I love the yarn so gorgeous, yummy color. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
I loved Waterlily. It was so nice to knit with. I wish they still made it.
A sweater in 10 days is so doable. You could make up a schedule of how much you need to knit a day to finish it and seam it on time.
Yesterday, when I left a comment on your post, it didn’t occur to me to think you were delusional in thinking you could complete a sweater in ten days. To me, your speedy and intricate knitting seems magical. I’ve never knit a sweater and only knit one sock. (once) I mainly churn out scarves and easy-peasy things. (maybe I’m over-sharing?) You’re a knitting super hero and I have every confidence you’ll get it done, blocked, sewn together, buttons sewn on and photographed in time to wear it at Rhinebeck.
Thanks for the info on the potato tatin. I’ve requested the cookbook, Plenty, from my local library. Can’t wait to try it!
p.s. to ChristieinVT: You are in my thoughts. Our family is also in the midst of the battle against cancer and I wish you all the best on your journey!
Nope, not crazy. In fact your 10 day sweater started a challenge for my knitting friends and I. We can’t go to Rhinebeck this year. (I almost toppled over you last year in the Spirit Trail Fibers booth). So we’re having a “Rhinebeck in Spirit” knit-a-long.
You can knit sleeves first??/!!!! You might have just turned my knitting around! I could crochet a sweater in 10 days but knit…no way. I applaud you..love your style!
I’ve watched you many times, through the blog, pull mighty big rabbits out of the proverbial hat – so far be it from me to say it can’t be done! Love Miss BB and it will look great on you even if (gasp) it’s not finished in time for Rhinebeck.
Thanks for the cookbook information – I’ve already ordered Plenty! I’m always on the lookout for good vegetarian recipes and that Surprise Tatin looks amazing.
On the road between Vermont and Alaska, in western Ontario, there is a sheep farm with a shop. My daughter pulled in there and asked if I could knit her a sweater before we got home. I started by telling her I had to finish the one I was working on, but maybe, if she wanted to drive a lot. She loves to drive; I’d rather knit. Admittedly it was Lopi, but her sweater was finished 90 miles south of Fairbanks, five or six days later(and mine was finished first). You are a much faster knitter–go for it!
Not sure we ever saw Gwendolyn, last years Rhinbeck sweater. She sure gave you a go. Hope this one behaves much better. Bst of luck.
Oh you will love Miss BB! I was just wearing mine yesterday and reveling in how well it fits. Totally doable in 9 days. The buttons on the other hand? Might take a little more time…
If two sleeves are a third of the project and you knit a sleeve in a day that means you can get the whole thing done in six days! There you go, with two days of teaching that leaves you with two days to relax. Or do laundry 😛
I always start with a sleeve, too. It is not such a big commitment if it doesn’t work out.
What classes are you teaching at Rhinebeck? I can’t seem to find your name in the instructor list and would love to take a class with you since I was closed out at Webs.
You can still find Waterlily in some shops and maybe even online.
Miss BB is addictive. I’m planning to start my 2nd one this month.
Having had both a Brazilian wax AND a 10 hour car drive with a difficult relative and no yarn, I can tell you – a Brazilian is easier. It hurts, but only VERY briefly and then it’s done. It’s definitely not what I’d use to compare to something painful 😛
You can def do it. You knit fast 🙂
Now try laser hair removal on your area: 20 times worse than a bikini wax/Brazilian wax. Over nine treatments over a year. Permanent hair removal. Temporary insane pain. Lol
Doing both sleeves first is a good idea. You can wear them as arm warmers while you knit the rest.
“3. I am not going to put it in the oven. At all.”
LOL!!!!!!
You rock, Stephanie!
As so often happens, I didn’t particularly like Miss BB when I looked at the Ravelry pics. Then I looked at the sleeve you knit and decided it is indeed beautiful.
And that isn’t even one of my favorite colors.
I knit mine in 15 days, and I am a slow knitter. I am certain you can do it!
Happy to say my Rhinebeck sweater is finished. Didn’t set any speed records but it was done with sock yarn (Zauberball) and I had to tink a big section of the yoke because the yoke was way too long after it was blocked. Did two sleeves at a time or I’m pretty sure it would have been a one-sleeved sweater-didn’t think I’d ever finish! Next time I consider making a sweater from sock yarn, I hope someone slaps me!
I think I’m most impressed that you stepped away from the oven.
I ordered Plenty yesterday after some of the commenters identified the tatin. I’m not even vegetarian and couldn’t resist the book!
Steph, what else are you working on? ‘Cuz THAT’S gonna determine whether you can pull this off or not.
… just wondering about the nephews’ sweaters…
Sitting back with popcorn, that sounds nice. Pardon me a sec, * grabs virtual popcorn and puts up feet on virtual ottoman * . I so want that yarn btw and normally I don’t even fall for orangey colors…It would look fun with Hank’s hair to.
Was Gwendolyn the sweater you did last year for this event?
. . .and also Joe’s gansey. . .
Also caught the hint in Rachel’s post that she may think you might be at risk of the Knitting Dieties and Murphy’s law rising up to lay waste to this project. If I were you, I’d keep it away from all beverages that may stain it if spilled. Stick to water or lemon-lime soda.
I-don’t-know . . . you didn’t show us the whole whack of yarn you have for this project, I’m feeling uneasy.
Sorry, it didn’t occur to me to comment on whether you were being self-deluded or not. I’ve seen you knit and you’re fast. Plus, my own knitting speed is glacially slow, (one sweater on the needles has been there for 2-1/2 years – gasp!) so it seemed inappropriate. But good idea to not put it in the oven!
If you can do a sleeve in one night, you can do the entire sweater in 10 days, no problem, mon. In fact, maybe you need to knit a pair of socks to coordinate. And a hat. Yeah, a hat would be good.
A sweater in 10 days the way you knit is fairly reasonable, notwithstanding the weird mojo Rhinebeck sweaters seem to have.
The unreasonable thing was for me to think, she’s knitting a whole sweater in 10 days! That makes it totally reasonable for me to try for a sweater in 14 days! Even though I knit way slower than you, even though I feel like I have way less time to knit, even though it is a BOYFRIEND SWEATER which I think brings its own weird mojo (It’s for our 5th anniversary, and we’re currently saving for a house, and have agreed that when we have one we’ll get engaged, I think that’s committed enough :P). Ah well, knitting just wouldn’t be as much fun if it weren’t for ridiculous self-imposed challenges.
It is lovely, and a lovely yarn, and you are an adult woman, with lots of experience, and you are a much smaller woman than I, so your sleeves and things are a lot shorter than mine need to be. And you’re a crazy-fast knitter. (I’m not bad, but nowhere near your jet-propelled abilities.) I wish you the best of luck, but in case you end up knitting up a pair of crazypants instead of a sweater, we will all know it was a valiant effort, and we salute you.
Love this !!!! I can’t wait to see the finished product. BTW I love your blog I am a new knitter about a year new LOL and you are just great I look forward to your blog everyday 🙂 Plus I am from the east coast of Canada and just saw that you are going to be in St. Andrews next fall at the Atlantic Fiber Festival yay !!!!
Please do the second sleeve before you start on any other part. If there is a problem it will show up then. Given the speed at which you knit, ten days is plenty of time. Can’t wait to see the completed sweater. Yum!
Buttons and everything? Because it would be a shame if you got that far and didn’t have buttons picked out…
Back this evening, saw what you did there. I am sadly bereft of popcorn at the moment, but my glass of wine and I are prepared to settle in for the show. Onward, good lady.
The great Elizabeth Zimmermann (I apologize for that spelling) said that hats and sleeves were great for swatching. She was right, obviously.
There are not many knitting blogs out there that get people to talk about their Brazilian waxes, which is a feat unto itself – just like your Miss BB in 10 days. I know you will have no problem. Thank you so much for that Brussels sprouts recipe! My veggie-shunning husband may have finally met a vegetable dish he can’t resist (especially, horrors,if I add bacon, which I understand is the gateway drug to vegetable love.)
I say you absolutely *can* knit a sweater in ten days. …so long as you don’t get distracted by spinning, or weaving, or socks, or bicycling… 😉
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
As the Enabler of a knitting knut, I believe you can do this. I provide the cash-for the-stash and my feeling is that if you choose it- you use it. You have committed and so now follow through. But you raise my expectations in that my knut can make ME a sweater in record time. Of course, this will have to follow my new scarf and gloves.
The yarn and pattern combination are goooorgeous. And you can totally knit a sweater in 10 days, in fact I bet you’ll knit it with a day or two to spare. Keep going!!
Waterlily was discontinued? (do you see how I got distracted). It is to cry. But that sweater is not to cry – looking good!
This is going to be interesting …
Hi! I am going to rhinebeck for the first time this year! Hope to see that sleeve (and entourage) at the festival!
Good luck ! I love your Website!
Michele
Plenty is the best cook book out right now, hands own. My meat- atarian ( his word) bf has fallen for the recipes and has barely noticed the meat portions shrinking. We will never be all veg, but I am trying to get creative now that our dr recommended diets include 12 servings of veg per day. That is 4/ meal.
Love the sleeve swatch!
“I am not going to put it in the oven. At all.”
That made me ROAR out loud with laughter. If a person doesn’t know the context for this comment it sounds insane. And even with the context, the comment is still a wee bit dodgy…
The pattern is lovely and the sweater will be finished when it is ready to be finished. Who knows if 10 days for a sweater is crazy and there is no harm to finding out. Enjoy the process and happy knitting.
A sleeve being 3/4ths to 4/5ths the size of the back of a sweater, and finishing a sleeve in one day, means the best case scenario has you done in like 7 days (fuzzy maths are my specialty). That’s giving plenty of time for finishing, too. This is doable!! Go Steph!
I have knit a sweater for myself in 10 days before, while working full time and I have 2 small kids. It had cables, too, but otherwise is a simple pattern… If I can do it, I know you can do it!
Wait, you swatched, AND the yarn is discontinued???
Oh, dear Steph. I hope you have good beer at the
ready. May the knitting goddess have mercy on you.
Oh the power of your blog! I was just on Ravelry and guess which pattern is at the top of the “hot right now” list? Miss BB!
See, I didnt say anything when I read yesterday’s post because I thought, this girl has done this before and she knits crazy fast and well, it’s on her head if she doesn’t finish. But I knew you could and would try it no matter what anyone said.
As for today’s post? The yarns…we loves it…preciouses…we wants the preciousesss.
Gorgeous pattern, great yarn. I can’t wait to see it finished. 🙂
I made the vast majority of my MIss BB in under two weeks while driving around Scotland. Or, being driven, rather.
It’s a great pattern and one of my favorite FOs. I especially love the collar. Have fun!
Help! I have a general question that hopefully you can address one day. I was lucky enough to get to hear the Dalai Lama give a lecture on compassion yesterday. At least three of us were not allowed to bring our knitting into the lecture hall because it was thought that our knitting needles could be used as weapons. In my case, I had 4-inch size 2 needles. A weapon? Throughout the lecture on peace and compassion, I kept wondering have you encounted this type of thing and do you have any suggestions how to get around this? Thanks and I love your blog!
I have completed one sweater ever, so I think a sweater in 10 days is rank insanity. But you knit a lot faster than I do and your children don’t need help going to the potty anymore, so I feel like you’re probably much better placed to try.
Ok now that I see which pattern you are making I will definitely make some popcorn and sit back to see how you do. I totally have faith that you can do it, I mean you’ve already got a sleeve done and all. By this point, you may already have two sleeves done.
I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and coverage!
Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
I KNOW you can do it! What I don’t get is how you can wash something,block it, and have it dry by the next morning (?)
As it is mostley 1 knit 1 purl rows (jersey?) with a combination of knit and cable 2-rows, yes, you can do it, because you are THE Yarn Harlot. It seems like an easy to remember rowseries, so as long as someone else drives or flies the plane, you should be allright. I guess by now we all know you would choose wisely.
Knitting is wonderful once you get the hang of it. My first attempt didn’t go so well. There was a huge hole in the scarf. I ended up frogging it! For me, it’s therapeutic and productive all at the same time. It does get easier over time. I struggle to learn the new techniques in a book. I have to see it.
10 Days isn’t crazy, I’ve done a full adult sweater in 7, totally doable.
Come to think of it, discontinued wool? Please, in a next blog, do mention the colourbath and should you fear to run out of wool before the end of the sweater, do mention it. I am sure Rhinebeckers would love it handing over their same colourbath leftovers to you. Readers, please stop mentioning the gansey, I think Joe has condemned it to the great woolheaven! Dinnerwise: I love meat, can’t help it, but in reality, more than 80 percent of my meals are vegetarian, only, in my mind just meatless.
Scotty, how much time will you need to repair the warp engine? – Ten days, Captain. – You have eight. – I’ll do it in six.
To boldly knit what no man has knit before – go for it, Steph! 😀
I know what you mean about sleeves. Right now I have a sweater started for my grand daughter, front, back (one piece) one sleeve and the second one wont’t work out…..next time I will knit them at the same time….gotta have it done before Christmas, so I still havetime to rip and redo multiple times. Good luck with your 10 day project. I’m betting you can do it!
Once knitted a medium mans chunky cardigan in a weekend, Friday to Sunday and sewn up on Monday. So yes belatedly Ms Harlot I think you can do it!
If you can knit one sleeve in one day, then you should have a reasonable chance. I calculate the following optimum:
1 day = 1 sleeve
1½ day = 1 front
3 day = one back
That should mean you have the pieces knit in 8 days, which leaves two days left for blocking and sewing… or teaching (or possibly both).
Oh, and thanks for the enabling. I went and bought that pattern immediately (even before finishing reading the post). I have the perfect yarn marinating in my stash. 🙂
Yes, you can…. knit a sweater in 10 days. Especially if it’s Aran, and one sleeve is already done.
I have 3 weeks to finish a (men’s XL) cardigan in sport-weight yarn – the wool has yet to arrive, and I still have to finish 1 1/2 pairs of socks beforehand.
I might very well be set up for failure, but not you. You are the invincible yarn harlot.
You’re knitting 2 sweaters for Rhinebeck, and I’m digging through my closets to find 2 sweaters to wear at Rhinebeck. What do you want to bet you beat me?
Ohhhh, great pattern for Waterlily! I have a sweater’s lot of that luscious yarn too. While I can see you getting a sweater finished by Rhinebeck – not me, maybe for next year! LOL, I have my last year’s Rhinebeck sweater that was still soaking wet after 2 days so not worn last year. I just don’t have the nerve for the oven treatment.
Wow, great looking pattern but that’s a whole lot of cables. If anyone can do it you can.
Thanks for the links to the recipes.
I have made this sweater and it is addictive (just one more row)…made mine from cashmerino…love it…go for it…
I have complete, utter confidence that you can knit a sweater in ten days – or less. I have seen you knit, and I also have seen you apply yourself to something and not quit (thinking of bikes here). ‘Nuff said!
LOL! Excellent! Getting out the popcorn…ready to watch the show!
I didn’t even see this post yesterday (visited the blog too early, when the Thanksgiving post was still the most recent), but I DID see Miss BB high on the hot-patterns list on Ravelry and wondered why an older pattern was drawing so much sudden attention. Now I know. Handsome design – I totally approve your choice.
OK, so I didn’t comment about the sweater in 10 days thing because a) I already know you’re nuts and b) you clearly wanted to do it anyway, and needed to find out for yourself. You’ll get most of the way there, and then life will happen to you, and then you’ll stress out, and then you’ll persevere and learn some useful lesson, and then you’ll do it again next year. It’s one of the laws of nature. I don’t really worry much about it. It’s why we love you. Happy knitting, and have fun at Rhinebeck!
@Austin Val at October 11, 2012 1:48 PM – Clearly what you get when you cross a slice of crazy pie with a bag of wet weasels, you get a Miss BB.
I’m out of popcorn, but I think I’ll make some tea and a batch of chocolate chip cookies while I lounge by the web browser.
Yay! I really wanted to know what the tart thing was. 🙂
Good luck on the sweater. I about lost it on the “let me get some popcorn”.
After all you’ve got a chunk done with one sleeve down.
I’ve seen you knit. I don’t doubt you for a moment.
Just now read your 10 day sweater post(you knit fast, I think you can do it no problem!) and I love your work! So beautiful. The colors, the stitching.
Just finished your book “Yarn Harlot”. I get the giggles just thinking about it. Very funny!
First, you can totally do it. Second, I have a sweater’s worth of Water Lily and had no idea it was discontinued!
The only sweater I’ve ever knit (and probably will ever knit) was supposed to be for a little kid. It was supposed to be super super easy – knit in one piece and so on and so on. I started it – messed it up – started it again – messed it up- started it…well, you get the picture. After 3 weeks of trying and trying (and crying alot) – and having fingers so sore they almost fell off, I gave up and said – you are finished and put it on my cabbage patch doll! The sleeves somehow ended up knit inside out (don’t ask) – but it looks cute on the doll! She isn’t complaining at least!
Linda in VA (who will stick with scarves)
I am jealous of the large Waterlily score you got before they discontinued it. I didn’t realize until a year after they did that I loved it.
(Not that I’d have anywhere to put a sweater’s worth of Waterlily, but I certainly think of it fondly from time to time.)
I’ve seen you knit before as well (albeit, sadly, only on YouTube) and I’m betting on you. At my knitting tempo, think I’ll adapt the pattern and find a similar yarn and do one for my granddaugter’s American Girl doll – bet I can get it done in 10 days!
MissBB is a stunning choice, your yarn couldn’t match better, IMHO. I’d like to make one someday, too. I’m going to finish The Guy’s Geurnsey afghan that reminds me of the cardigan’s sleeve pattern.
I’ve also spotted and set aside some Waterlily yarn I’ve found while visiting grandbabys! Gorgeous blue-sy yarn!
So as much as I love to watch you attempt the impossible and succeed after some crazy antics, the fact that this yarn is discontinued has an ominous sound…
However, the color is absolutely luscious and it looks so soft and smooshy!
Love the yarn, hope you win.
And thanks for mentioning the tart source…I need another cookbook like a need a hole in the head, but I’ll wish list it anyway, it looks really good.
You are a riot! When I need a good guffaw I type in yarnharlot! Of course you could knit it in 10 days. Actually 4 days if yo do nothing else. You’ve inspired me once again to knit my Rhinebeck shawlette. I think it’s going to be 50/60’s. I will be o the look out for the finished sweater!
My goodness, I’ve said it before, but it’s a good thing that you use your powers of persuasion for knitting…I have a bunch of white handspun that would work for this sweater, so it’s going on the favorites list.
I’ve been looking at that potato tart in Plenty for months. It’s been easier for me to start three sweaters than to get started on that recipe. But maybe for U.S. T-Day.
I’m sorry, I can’t get any further than Waterlily is discontinued. I will finish later, but I need to go mourn for a while.