And Then There Were Seven
Several projects have conspired to curtail my 2009 sweater knitting, but I managed to complete NaKniSweMoDo #7 last week.
Pattern: Climbing Vines Pullover (Interweave Knits, winter 2008)
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed (7 skeins)
Ravelry Project Page (with links to pattern and yarn): Ravelry
This was a fast project and it only took 7 skeins of yarn even though I made longer sleeves. I’m not a big fan of Debbie Bliss yarns, but this Luxury Tweed is the best I’ve used from the line. It’s nice to knit with and the finished fabric is soft. I like the way the tweediness of the yarn softens the look of the leaf motif.
If you make this sweater, keep in mind that row gauge is more important than stitch gauge because you must complete a full repeat of the leaf chart or the last leaf won’t follow the line of the neck. This means the sweater will be about 15 inches from the cast-on edge to the beginning of the armhole shaping for all sizes. I chose a needle size that gave me the correct row gauge, which meant my stitch gauge was off. I knew the sweater would hit me below the hip (my widest part) so I cast on for the Small size and didn’t work any increases after the waist shaping. That gave me the numbers for the X-Small size. Oh, and it’s easier to work the front before the back so you can work out the armhole numbers for the leaf motif.
I made a few other minor adjustments, like lowering the back of the neck and lengthening the sleeves. I also used a very small needle to work the last 3 rows of the ribbing at the neckline and I bound off with the same small needle.
Even with my adjustments, it’s still just a little big and long on me. But it fits Cheryl nicely, don’t you think:
My sweater count rose to 7 at nearly the same time as the inhabitants of my house returned to 4. Yup, the son is back from his first year of college. Yikes, that was fast. And look, he was kind enough to bring home lots of shoes so I can spend my day constantly picking them up.
*sigh*
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30 comments Susan | knitting, sweaters
You aren’t really going to give the sweater away, are you?
Yikes, he’s home already? Hope the transition is smooth for all of you.
I was going to lament that I’d be picking up my 3 yr old’s shoes forever, but then I remembered that I knew that – I’m constantly kicking the DH’s shoes out of my way. SIGH.
Nice sweater!
Beautiful sweater! You are really cooking along on this sweater a month thing. You are ahead of schedule!
Yes, it did fit me nicely. If it turns up missing, I’m sure I won’t know anything about it.
Maybe we should start a NaKniSweMo swap.
faint from gasping
if so many TV shows hadn’t taken the dream cop-out of story line this season ender i’d say DREAMY
mym the grey loves the color
marie in florida loves the leaves
ps i find this most effective …”son, your shoes don’t belong there”
Those are some big ole boats – you could hurt yourself tripping over them!
I can relate to the shoes bit – I’ve got purses on the counter too…can’t they just put things away?? Good to have them home though!
Nice! I really like the color, and it does look great on Cheryl!
I have to admit that I am the one here most likely to leave my shoes all over the place. Sigh. And I have a terrible habit of not closing cabinet doors. But at least I never leave the seat up
Don’t complain to me about the shoes….I had THREE sons! Well, still have, but they don’t live here anymore! LOVE that sweater and maybe now I know what to do with all that DB Luxury Tweed from the Frogged Sweater From Hell.
Your sweater is really lovely! It looks like it is so soft and cozy.
LOVE the shoes! My son has moved several states away, and I rarely get to see him. When he comes home for visits (with wife and daughter – and baby on the way), I love all the stuff all over the house. Normally, it would drive me crazy!
That is fantastic! With 4 kids, I am always tripping over something!
Very pretty sweater. I got a kick out of your shoe photo. My daughter’s shoes are very numerous… I can really relate.
You mean the shoe thing lasts past elementary school? I am SO in trouble. (Of course, I’m usually the one leaving the pile of shoes everywhere..)
The sweater looks lovely. I have a ball or two of that blue color but haven’t been able to find it again.
Those shoes are BIG.
Isn’t it cheating, having a model in the sweater rather than a guest photographer taking your picture?
Oy, the shoes. Then it’s the crap on the counter next. And the empty refrigerator after that.
Very lovely!
Very nice sweater! Love the detail and the neckline.
Nice Pumas, Adam! And oh yeah, pretty sweater, Susan. You make it look easy. Dammit.
I’ve wanted to do this sweater since I first saw it! Yours is lovely and looks great on you.
The sweater fits her perfectly! Lovely knitting.
You know how it is… if the knit doesn’t fit the intended recipient, you just find someone it does fit. Very nice work.
Lovely ! I knitted last year a sweater that is his twin !! The pattern was from an old Phildar magazine, amazing !
What a great design! Sounds like you are right on track with the sweaters, as we are just at the halfway point in the year, but I do agree with your feeling that the year is whizzing right by. Have a lovely summer with your son.
Thanks for the tip! I am always watching out for the stitch gauge so row gauge was never something I considered important
Hey remember what Erma Bombeck said – if it doesn’t smell and it doesn’t block the refrigerater, it’s fine. No one cares…
My house is full of cats, dogs, my kids and their friends. I’d rather have them here and feel welcome than wonder where they are and what they are doing. I’ve learned to knit with my yarn ball propped up on top of various animals napping by me!
I finally finished your Fountain Pen Shawl – it’s beautiful. In fact, it turned out so nice everyone is afraid to borrow it!
Hello Susan, Can I please ask you a question about your lovely BSJ that you blogged about in August 2007?
I am trying what you suggested: knitting the central 88 stitches instead of 90 and keeping the marked stitch the same once the 158 sts are back on the needle (i.e. after those central 10 ridges are finished). I am continuing to use an increase on each side of the marked stitches until I’m ready to BO. I’m now at the point to BO and I have noticed that the rounded lower front edge of the sweater (where the corner would have been if I would have knit acording to the pattern) is curling up. Probably because the garter stitch is rounding a corner but I didn’t increase there. Your photo doesn’t seem to show this. Did you do anything to counter this rolling? I’m wondering if you also increased at that point also? tia, Sue
I know you are really busy, and the fruits of your labour are beautiful. Any chance you will be updating your blog??…we miss you!!!!