I always cringe when I read those blog posts when people come back after long unexplained absences, all apologies and awkward empty promises. So I'm not going to do that. I will tell you that I have a super overwhelming new job (but no I'm not done with my degree yet! still working!), which is why I've been capable of little more than laying flat on my back on the couch. Fortunately, I am capable of knitting while in this position. So I have something to share with you today, and it is GOOD.
Knitters, meet my new brightly colored Hiro. The temperatures just dropped a bit in Chicago, this sucker is finally dry (after days and days of agonizing waiting), and I'm pretty much not removing this sweater until spring. It's true love, me and this sweater. The pattern is by Julia Farwell-Clay, and I LOVE IT. Colorwork yoke sweaters are one of my most favorite things ever, and boy is this a great one. The pattern works great as-is, but it's eminently customizable. (is that a word? you get what I mean.) I did things almost exactly as written, except that I wanted a more snug fit than the samples have on Julia - just personal preference - so I summoned my inner Amy Herzog and knit a sweater to fit my upper bust measurement-36". The pattern shaping still suited my proportions around the waist and hips. Once I got above the bust though, I decreased to the smallest size for the yoke, because I apparently have the freak shoulders of a small child. The most thrilling part of the pattern for me is the generous quantity of short rows at the back of the neck above the yoke. I've learned from other sweaters I've made, especially yoked sweaters, that these short rows are a must on me. As much as I love my Orange Pop, it drives me NUTS that there aren't short rows on the back of the neck. It really does make for a much better fit.
The only major-ish modification I made to the pattern (besides knitting something more close-fitting, if you can call that a mod) was to adjust the sleeve length. I love a super warm sweater with 3/4 length sleeves. Sometimes full sleeves make me feel constricted - insane, I know. So I cast on a few more sts for my sleeves - 48 sts instead of the 36 that are called for -, worked through the sleeve chart before I started increasing, and then increased at a slower rate, until I reached the total number of sleeve sts called for. Then I just worked straight, slipping the sleeve onto my arm as I went to judge approximate length.
As for yarn, I wanted to go kind of lopi-esque here and try working with a single ply - something I don't normally do. This is good old Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride, which I always love working with. That is a great, durable, salt of the earth yarn. They do have a few colors that have kind of a semi-solid look to them, like this red - something Carolyn pointed out to me years ago, for which I've always been grateful.
I love the colors. And the dithered color gradations remind me of the mid-’90s internet!
And I’m with you on 3/4 length and bracelet sleeves. I like warm sweaters with really low necklines and short sleeves – they’re easier to layer in the fickle Bay Area climate.
Love it – the colours are divine!
ooooooooh! that’s quite lovely, L! you chose a great color combo.
cauchy09 recently posted..cliché, but true.
That is fabulous!!!
The sweater looks great. The colors, the shape. Just lovely.
I love it. The colours you chose are gorgeous and the style is great. The mods you made have very obviously worked as it fits like a glove. I can see why you are never taking it off!
This is such a case for good old lambs pride. No kidding! Amazing. And now I know a good lopi substitute that I can find easily.
Dorie recently posted..x and plus quilt
Now that I have seen your glorious sweater, I want to make myself one, or at least something with amazing colorwork. You already know what I think of the color combo (such good choices), and the fit is really great. Happy New Sweater Day!
Allison recently posted..FO: XOX Fall
GAH! There aren’t enough words for how much I love this sweater. It looks AMAZING on you!
earthchick recently posted..announced :: giveaway winners
that’s me, pointin’ things out left and right.
this sweater is even more gorgeous in person and I really really really want one.
ps your title is making me laugh b/c my kids kept bringing up the phrase STRANGER DANGER this week. heh.
This sweater is awesome! I love the color combination.
Andrea recently posted..Finished: Baby Daniel!
Looks fantastic! I love the digital-like fade in the colour changes. I’ve never used Lamb’s Pride for colourwork before – looks like it was an excellent choice!
Laura recently posted..Food and travel
It is not good. It is frigging AWESOME. Gah! And it looks fab on you.
Phoe recently posted..The Great Big Wardrobe Destuff
Freakin gorgeous colors and it fits you beautifully! Blog when you can, no apologies.
I love this sweater!! Love love the colors!!
monica recently posted..Sep. 24, 2012: Baby Gifts!
Holy geez, I love this. It’s an incredible sweater, and I can see why you don’t want to take it off! The fit is glorious, and the colors!!!1! <3
Jacey recently posted..Pluses to the perimeter
Fabulous mods for a totally perfectly fitting sweater. Now I want a yoke sweater (I’ve never made one) and i want one NOW.
Thank you thank you thank you for pointing me to this particular post from your blog! This sweater is really awesome…no other words for it. I am loving the color combination and it fits you perfectly! Part of why I wanted suggestions for posts from everyone is to get inspired again. I didn’t knit very often in the field and my mojo was slow to return. THIS…totally inspiring!