Tres Chic Veronique

There's been demand for the post-felted Shedir hat. (A couple of comments constitutes "demand", right?). I have to admit that I am not too happy with the results. Obviously, I lost a great deal of stitch definition. See for yourselves:

Even this brain's gyri are more pronounced than the cables! (By the way, this is a book cover, not an actual brain. Just wanted to point that out since the picture is so realistic).

But you know what cheers me up? The Yarn Riot! We found a pretty tweed yarn (100% wool! 10 balls for $30!) that I was just itching to buy, even though I couldn't quite figure out what to knit with it. But Gleek came to the rescue and astutely noted that the Sunrise Circle jacket was a perfect match. How did she know that I've been drooling all over Kate Gilbert's design? I like her Equestrian Blazer in this winter's IK too... Sold! This will be stash yarn for a little bit though, because I'm knitting on quite a few projects already. But I'll get to it someday, because this pattern is just too clever. (Aah, the justification of the stash. We've all been there, right?)..

Pattern Specs:
Pattern and Inspiration: Prof M --who had been searching high and low for a good hat pattern-- looked over my shoulder as I was reading Brooklyn Tweed's blog, and immediately exclaimed "I want that hat!". You have no doubt recognized it as The Girl From Auntie's Shedir hat.
Yarn: Chocolate alpaca purchased at Rhinebeck. Oh, this alpaca is so soft...
Needles: US 2 Addis, 40" length (the best for magic loop!)
Mods: How did you guess? The original pattern calls for Rowan Calmer. You cannot find Calmer anywhere in NYC! (Except at the Yarn Connection, but Jane only had pink left). I decided to use my Rhinebeck haul. Yay for stash yarn! It turns out that my alpaca is much thinner than Calmer, so I used needles one size smaller than called for (2s instead of 3s). The hat turned out just a smidge too big, so I ended up hand felting it. Lucky for you, I took this picture before felting, so you can see all the lovely cables.

This hank of alpaca is huge (700 yds!!), so huge that others have called it "never ending". But I haven't given up! I'm still knitting the alpaca! Just a little scarf -my own pattern- to go with the hat.

I have a little over 2 feet of this scarf, and, boy, am I sick of it. Size 4 needles and a chart which I cannot for the life of me memorize.
(Maybe that's why I cast on for Panache last night...).

Oh, I am so close to finishing my brother's Kirk!
I tried it on, and had a moment of panic. I've been blocking pieces as I finish them, but I didn't want to stretch them out too much. As a result, the ribbing is still very tight. In fact, it's so tight that you can't really see the cables!
Not stretched:

Stretched:
Ah, much better! Is it me, or do those cables look like little chromosomes?


I have my next project all figured out. Prof M owns this scarf:
Do you see where it says "100% acrylic"? *gasp* (At least he had the good sense to buy it on sale. Although, wait a minute, $15 for an acrylic scarf?!). I must remedy this situation right away! I have some chocolate-colored alpaca from Rhinebeck...

It's fall, and all I want to do is stay home by the fireplace. OK, fine, I don't actually have a fireplace. But if I did, that's where I'd be! Knitting quietly by the fire... Oh, it sounds so cozy. *sigh*

Instead, I get some sporadic knitting done here and there. I'd like to focus on my brother's Kirk cardigan. I knit the 2 sleeves fairly quickly (this summer), and I'm almost done with the back! And it's on size 10.5 needles, so I really have no excuse. I'm posting the pictures to try to shame myself into finishing this project (it's an old trick of mine, but it usually sometimes works). I'm trying to imagine my brother, shivering in his cold apartment. Aww, poor little brother!

But what I really want to do is start a new project. Yeah, yeah, I know, I have plenty of WIPs. Who doesn't? No, I want to start something fresh and engaging!
How about.... a cardigan of my own design?
Let's call it "Panache". Oh, it'll have flair! Here's a tentative sketch:
Elbow length sleeves? Long sleeves? Hmmmm...

The pattern is based on this simple observation: some stitch patterns "pull in" compared to stockinette. Cables, ribbing and smocking all accomplish this. You've never heard of smocking? (You haven't seen On and Off the Needles' Smocked sweater?!) Here's a swatch:
My idea is to start knitting (from the bottom up) in stockinette, then switch to cables/smocking instead of working waist decreases. The stitch count will stay the same! And then I'll switch back to stockinette for the bust. I'd also like the bottom to flare out a little bit... I have tons of Cashmerino for this (trust me: 29 balls).
Now, do you think I should go for a V neck, or a prim and proper rounded neck?