Held up on the first swatch

Maybe I'm just being too picky, but I keep changing my mind about what cast-on and increase techniques to use for my first Master Knitter swatch. Part of the issue is that I have to cite sources for everything I do, which I think will mean I need to dig through my knitting books and select references that describe the techniques in the way I actually do them. Unfortunately, I've picked up a few things from books I don't actually own (For example, I checked out Notes on Double Knitting the library in Bloomington, but haven't found a copy since moving away from Indiana.), so I may have to switch back to more common techniques. I probably could use the practice in techniques I don't usually use, anyway.

I went to Good Fibrations with some of the Saturday knitting group this past weekend. I hadn't been there before, since usually I just stick with Village Wools here in town. I thought it was I very nice shop. I especially liked how the yarn was organized by gauge, which can make it easy to select yarn for a specific project. We all delighted in testing a Louet Victoria wheel. It treadles so smoothly and can fit into a carry-on bag. If I were more of a spinner I would be sorely tempted, but I think my Ashford Traditional will suffice for now. I didn't make it out of the shop without buying something, though. I picked up a hank of navy blue laceweight merino from the sale shelf (You never know when you'll need another shawl, right?) and cleaned out all the balls of burgundy Hempathy. I'm thinking of knitting a summer top. Wool sweaters have a limited season out here, so I really should start playing with cooler fibers if I want to be able to wear my knits in other seasons.