Diamonds and Crosses

This is a sweater that I made a while ago (I can't remember if it was last year or the year before). Its a really easy sweater both to make (no shaping) and wear (big and boxy), but I didn't enjoy making it. Why? Because I hated the yarn. Its made of Paton's Classic Merino, which has to be the roughest Merino I have ever felt. (The rest of this blog entry will be made from under the computer desk in fear of angry Canadians - please don't throw hockey gear at me!) I didn't like the feel of this yarn in my hands when I was knitting it and the only reason I didn't send it back from where I got it was because I had washed a swatch and did find it softened up a lot after washing - it never got as soft as Merino should get though, in my opinion. It also changed gauge after washing which is something I hate. The gauge change thing is the reason I dislike (with an intensity I won't get into now) superwash wool. I wasn't expecting this from a non superwash wool and it really ticked me off to have to work around it on this sweater. Once I finished the sweater and got it washed and blocked and sewn together, I was able to mellow on my feelings towards it, and now, when I see it, the thought, "I really hate Paton's Classic Merino yarn," just flutters through my head and I can wear it (away from my skin) without any other lingering bitterness. Back tomorrow, Gift Giving Friday (if I feel like its safe to come out from under the desk)...