Gather ‘Round
Pattern: A cobbled-together mix of the Gathered Pullover, the Looking Glass Top, and my own elements.
Yarn: Cotton Fleece - 5 skeins of Dusty Sage (this is the third sweater I knit from these skeins of yarn and it was only a bit worse for the wear).
Needle: 3.5mm for the edges and the I-cord; 4.5mm for the main parts of the sweater
Time to Knit: This sweater knits up fast. My wrist gave out on me when I had only the last sleeve left to complete. Consequently, that sleeve took me as long as the rest of the sweater combined since I only knit a few inches each day. I suspect I could have knit this whole thing in a week, otherwise.
Mods: Oh, dear, where do I begin.
I loved the cable when I first saw the Gathered Pullover pattern in Interweave Knits but the rest of the sweater didn’t do anything for me. Plus, it was knit in the round and, believe it or not, I’m not a big fan of sweaters knit in the round unless there’s a purpose to it–like lace patterning that would be broken up by side seams. So right away I knew I’d knit the pieces flat and seam them. I also dislike rolled hems, so the rolled edges on the Gathered Pullover had to go. I also felt the V at the neck would be a little too low for my taste and I didn’t want the cable to sit quite so low either. And the line of increases/decreases on either side of the cable definitely had to go. Ick.
I pulled out some old IK issues and found a V-neck top (Robin Melanson’s Looking Glass Top from IK Summer 2006) that had exactly the same gauge as the Gathered Pullover and an identical number of cast-on stitches. So, I started with that even though it had 3/4 sleeves and a funky hole thingy in the front that I didn’t like. But, it was knit flat with waist shaping and a sleeve cap that I liked better than the one on the Gathered Pullover so I used it as a template for the body of the sweater.
In the end, I used only the cable from the Gathered Pullover and I placed it higher on the front. I used garter-stitch edges at the bottom and the sleeves. I knit the body flat and I added some waist shaping. I used the armhole and sleeve cap instructions from the Looking Glass Top but I made the sleeves long instead of 3/4 which required some adjustments to the cast-on.
But, my favorite part is the I-cord edging I used to finish off the neckline:
I feel like it gives the sweater a nice, finished look.
I wore the sweater all day yesterday and it was really comfortable.
Now that I’ve re-worked the pattern so it fits me (link to my Ravelry project page with a photo of me wearing the sweater) I might make another!
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Susan | knitting, sweaters
Gorgeous! I really like the cable from the Gathered Pullover, but I felt the sweater had an “unfinished” look to it, which I didn’t care for. This is perfect!
I love it! I liked the pattern in the magazine but didn’t like the roll up hem or yarn choice either. Kudos to you for modifying it - it worked out very nicely. I need to gather the mental courage to modify things I don’t like. I think I have the skills, but not the umph. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love it and it looks so good on you. I’m sorely tempted!
Fabulous. The cable is really awesome and the changes you made make it perfect for you.
I really like how it turned out! I’m working on it right now. I really dislike that row of increases/decreases too, why in the world would I want a line across my chest like that?! So, I plan on taking them out. Thanks for answering my email so quickly!
Honestly, that’s the only pattern in that issue of IK that called out to me, and your mods make it SO much better! So many projects, so little time!
)
funny - I love the way this sweater looks - of course, in my mind, I pictured that complex cably thing on the back near the small of the back… it’s incredibly knit and quite beautiful… congrats
It’s lovely! Your mods were definately worth it.
What a gorgeous detail that edging is! This is such a thoroughly professional-looking piece–I hope you’re really, really proud of it!
It looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing your mods.
Absolutely fabulous! Loved the photo on Ravelry, too!
Oooo, Beautiful color choice, very subtle but beautiful. The I-cord border is a great finishng touch!
I really love the mods you made. The sweater looks so lovely on you. Great job!
I like it!
I love it! I have the Gathered Pullover in the queue, but I was thinking of making it a raglan, knit in the round bottom-up. Sort of the exact opposite of what you did! Haha!
It looks fantastic on you. The modifications you chose were perfect!
I love it! You are truly inspirational!
I remember now you talking about this yarn…. the sweater is Beautiful! I love the I-cord neckline too, and the garter stitch edings… it’s great!
Your sweater is beautiful…love the color. I wish I had the courage to try knitting a sweater.
Wow, your version looks great. Nice job!
Beautiful sweater. Love it.
It’s gorgeous (and so nice to finally see a picture of you). I don’t suppose you would consider publishing a pattern, would you? Can you or is it too close to the original to be able to do that legally?
Man, Susan. You’re a real knit-pro. It looks beautiful on you. Fabulous job!
I’m proud to have had a little part in it.
I like knitting things flat then sewing the pieces too. I’m going to have to keep this in mind when I get around to starting mine.
Thanks for doing the hard part for me! LOL
It’s great! Looks nice in the color you’ve chosen too!
Well, it looks great on you!
That is awesome! Loves the mods- it really makes the sweater nicer. It looks wonderful on you!
Dang, that fits you like a glove!! (or a perfectly handknit custom sweater, I guess LOL).
Love reading about how you merged it all together.
LOVE IT!!!!!
Wish I could steal the “pattern” you ended up with because it’s exactly what I would want to knit for myself!!!
OOOOOOOOO I love what you did to the sweater! I coveted the sweater in IK but like you had a multitude of dislikes about the pattern as a whole. LOVE LOVE LOVE the mods you made! That is a beautiful sweater!!! WOOHOO, props to you girlie!
Very cool!
Brilliant! Inspiration to persnickety knitters who like elements but not whole designs. What don’t you like about knitting in the round?
What a pretty sweater and it looks beautiful on you..One day I will venture past The Weekend Sweater..which took a bit more..
That looks terrific. I bought Cotton Fleece some years ago for a Classic Elite twin set, and after starting the shell, I immediately hated the pattern. I feel as if I have tons of the yarn left, and even though I’m using it for a WIP, I will definitely have enough for something else. I love the way you did the edging, and I’ll probably think of doing something similar. I was considering adapting an Elsebeth Lavold design, which also uses a large centered cable. The cables work well to keep Cotton Fleece from stretching. Thanks for sharing the details of how you created this sweater.
I really like your sweater! I think it’s a “keeper”.
Beautiful sweater. And that yarn… three sweaters and still going strong? That’s what I call getting your money’s worth!
Gorgeous! I also have been eying the Gathered Pullover, but did not like some elements of it. Unlike you, I was not brave enough to even THINK of making that many modifications. You inspire me!!
Brilliant mods! I like the cable detail on Gathered Pullover, but the rest not so much. Now I’m inspired to take the good and leave the bad!
Beautiful job! I love it : )
Very nice mash-up.
You’re a genius.
…and here it is…can you tell I was playing catch up from the bottom up? Susan, this sweater looks perfect on you! I love the modifications that you made.
Once you get a sweater pattern that has the perfect fit for you, definitely make another:)
Gorgeous!
So lovely and calm.