New Sweater Project Progress
I have been thoroughly enjoying working with the Finn Sheep yarn from Wild Geese! I swatched more than once and then started making final decisions on the design. Since I'm using Ann Budd's basic raglan sweater pattern the field is wide open for embellishment! I'm tired of ribbing for cuffs & hem so I did some browsing from my pattern stash and came up with a nice looking but durable edging in A Year of Knit Sweaters by Melissa Leapman published by American School of Needlework. (on sale from Annie's Attic for $2.99!) The edging comes from the July pattern, Dainty Cardigan. I decided the easiest way to figure out the pattern was to simply knit it as written first, to decide if it was what I really wanted. Of course it made a large cuff since it was in a different gauge but I have matured enough (as a knitter) not to mind ripping something out (several times) until it was right. I reduced the number of pattern repeats and ended up with the right number of stitches for my pattern too!
I want to point out the awesome DPNs I am using. I love bamboo and didn't think I'd ever like anything better - until Tamara from Knit Mamma Knit! introduced me to CARBONIZED bamboo! Here's the link for the eBay seller they come from. All I can say is WOW! Super smooth and tough! They are brown instead of the typical yellowy straw color and they are superior in every way. Who'd have thought you could improve bamboo??? She even has 12" circs which are perfect for sleeves - all sizes actually - plus excellent feedback! Good thing I have 2 sets - since as soon as I finished the first cuff I cast on the second. I'll sort of knit both sleeves at the same time so they come out identical. I'm sure enjoying working with this yarn. It doesn't show how many times I ripped things out and it's soft hand is such a pleasure!
I want to point out the awesome DPNs I am using. I love bamboo and didn't think I'd ever like anything better - until Tamara from Knit Mamma Knit! introduced me to CARBONIZED bamboo! Here's the link for the eBay seller they come from. All I can say is WOW! Super smooth and tough! They are brown instead of the typical yellowy straw color and they are superior in every way. Who'd have thought you could improve bamboo??? She even has 12" circs which are perfect for sleeves - all sizes actually - plus excellent feedback! Good thing I have 2 sets - since as soon as I finished the first cuff I cast on the second. I'll sort of knit both sleeves at the same time so they come out identical. I'm sure enjoying working with this yarn. It doesn't show how many times I ripped things out and it's soft hand is such a pleasure!
It's looking good! I like yarn that can withstand some ripping. I have yet to knit with the sock yarn I've got from you, but it's on top of my sock yarn pile. I've got to find the perfect pattern for it, or make one up, whichever comes first. I'm looking forward to your next sweater, hope all the calculations work out in the end!
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Ya, I'm going to do more than "hope" - I'm going to have to break down and measure! I feel a lot better about my yoke sweater after reading the Yarn Harlot's Wedding Sweater Saga in the Secret Life of a knitter! I have had such harrowing adventures many years ago with superwash gauge going awry that now I always use smaller needles that the ball band calls for. No such problems in sight for the Finn Sheep sweater - it's au naturelle!! And you're going to love Wild Geese's sock yarn. It makes such nice durable socks! They get softer with wear but don't stretch all out of shape - I think it's the Lincoln wool that helps in that department. It's SO nice there's no synthetic content! What color are you going to dye it?? Any hints??
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