classic.

My first sweater of 2013 – finished! And I’m only posting this now … I was distracted with other things like Opposite Pole. I actually started this back in September but I was distracted by other projects. I decided in early January to push through and finish it for our annual Tofino trip. Unfortunately, I did not finish it in time but that was ok – I have it for camping this summer.
 

 

Pattern: Ladies Classic Raglan Pullover by Jane Richmond
 

Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool in colour Brown Heather
 

Needles: 5.5mm for the body, 5.00mm for the ribbing
 

 

I was inspired by Kelly’s versions here and here. Both of hers turned out beautifully. And as others have noted, the pattern is great. Another easy-to-follow and clearly written pattern from Jane. I like that it is an item you can dress up or dress down. Old jeans? Definitely. Black jeggings and boots? Absolutely.
 

 

A small confession that I have to share with you, though, is that by the time I finished the yoke I was sick to death of plain old knit stitch. While I worked the body, I worked a simple right twist down each side. It just gave me a little sparkle to look forward to! Silly, I know.
 

 

Modifications:

• lengthened body by 2.5”
• lengthened sleeved by 1.5”
• added 3 extra increase rows in the hip shaping to finish with the 40” bust size at the hip (too narrow for me in the 36” bust size at the hips)

 

I don’t think that pullovers are very flattering on me. I’m not very tall and I always feel, even when lengthened like this one, that they are boxy and shapeless on me. Even with the waist and hip shaping, I feel frumpy. What I really wanted a pullover like this one for is to wear with my down-filled vest and wellies when we are camping. Often I find myself wanting something warm and far-from-fitted when we are mucking about around the campfire and whatnot. I think this definitely will fill that bill!
 

 

How do you feel about pullovers? Do you have a good track record with them? Any favourite pullover patterns to share?
 

ps. I’m sorry for the two low quality photos – M was my photographer per usual and we had to use artificial lighting in some of the photos as it was getting too dark.

muck muckin’.

My brother loves to muck around. Along with his wife, my sister-in-law, he just moved to Vancouver Island where the weather is colder than here on the mainland – mostly because they protect us from the Pacific Ocean storms! I decided that for Christmas I would knit him a simple sweater vest for when he’s working on those projects outside that he needs a little extra warmth without the bulk and annoyance of sleeves.

Pattern: My own inspiration based on more-than-I’d-like-to-admit photos of men’s sweater vests online.

Yarn: Cascade Ecological in various colours from my stash

Needles: 6.00mm

I love stripes but I decided to do big block stripes instead of 2x2 striping (or some variation of 1-3 rows before changing colours). I like and dislike the results. Because I made the vest a typical mans length (15”), I was only able to work one blue stripe. Maybe it looks like it was meant to be that way?

Unfortunately, this is too big for my wee brother who seems to have lost weight. I knit a 40” chest but it’s about 3-4” too big. Lets hope he bulks up again in the Spring when he can get out and bike!

Can you believe that the most difficult thing about this sweater was the v-neck? And it wasn’t the actual working of the v-neck that was difficult but the exact placement!

Many of the men’s vest patterns start the neck shaping at the same time as the armhole shaping but when you look at commercial sweaters (Banana Republic proved a timeless resource!), the neck shaping starts about halfway up the armhole to create a smaller opening and a more classic fit. I decided to follow this approach and I’m really glad I did!

The neck opening is neither too big nor too small. Thank goodness!

Overall, I am really happy with how this turned out. I hope it sees at least some wear! I’ve promised him another sweater that he and K saw in a window while they were travelling … they’ve taken a photo for me to design off of and I’m looking forward to the challenge. It even has a zipper! I’ll keep you posted ;)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, dear readers!

same same.

I can’t say that the self-induced sweatshop of diaper sewing has finished as I have 8 sitting next to me half done. They only need their leg elastic and top-stitching. The end is in sight! Overall, I have really enjoyed making them. They became very fast in the end as I started to operate on auto-pilot while making them, my mind wandering elsewhere. It was quite enjoyable! I didn’t include in my cost breakdown the cost of thread – this ended up being close to $20 because they eat thread like crazy. I was able, however, to use up a bunch of bobbins that had odds and ends on them since I didn’t care about coordinating colours/matching fabric to thread. Something to keep in mind :)

I have been knitting, though!

Since I really enjoy Ginny’s Yarn Along on Wednesdays, I thought I would share what I’m reading & knitting.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain is an account of both research and experience about being introverted in an extroverted world. I picked it up after hearing her interviewed on Q with Jian Ghomeshi. Her ideas about introverted-ness, along with the research to support many of her claims, captivated me as I am a classic introvert – although I have learned to be quite extroverted when I need/want to be. For anyone out there who is quiet – not necessarily shy as she outlines in the book that this is quite different – it’s a book worth picking up for the sheer joy of reading how to find our ‘sweet spot’ in balancing our natural tendency as introverts to want time alone but also be active in the world around us. It’s also nice to read that it’s not a disease and there’s nothing wrong with us if we don’t absolutely love group work! What a relief!

In terms of knitting. Kelly inspired me to finally try the contiguous method, which I have read/heard is the most perfect fit of all the sweater construction methods. I was curious to understand the method so I bought Walnuss and cast on for Same Same – I know, confusing. You get both patterns when you buy Walnuss and can opt for either method – I wanted it for the contiguous method, hence casting on for Same Same. I have finished the yoke and am currently finishing the armholes. I placed it on my dress form last night & Kelly was totally right – the fit is unreal. I’ll keep you posted. I’m actually thinking about making this a pullover rather than another cardigan – not sure at this point but may join it in the round beneath the bust.

The yarn has been reknit and stashed repeatedly for a long time – it’s discontinued Rowan Purelife (DK) Organic Wool. I absolutely love this wool but I think because it’s my favourite colour and I love it so much, nothing I make is “good enough” in it and I end up frogging it. Hopefully, this will not be another one of those stories.

I’m out into the garden to weed – we have sun here so I want to take advantage! Happy Wednesday :)