Sunday, January 28, 2007

Finally... the cold arrived...

And there were warm items to be worn. The hat... the wristwarmers...



The sweater...


And she was very, very happy...

Who knows how long it will last so better to wear the wool while the getting's good. Right? First off, the hat and wristwarmers.



Yarn: Dreamy, delicious Rowan Chunky Wool. Knits up at a magically delicious gauge of 3 stitches to the inch. Go Speed Knitter Go!

Patterns: The hat from a very beloved standard The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd. Easy as pie. The wristwarmers? A quick and dirty ripoff of the Fetching pattern from Knitty. I'm so about the wristwarmers lately. I used to be a big glove lover every winter. I couldn't understand people walking around with cold hands when that was what gloves are for. But this crazy year has been the year of the multitask. Riding in the car? I can't work the ipod with those gloves on! Can't dial the cell phone or get the hands free thingy in my ear. (Even though I secretly hate the cell phone, I really do, and I will see to it's demise one day) But put those wristwarmers on and everybody's happy. And both accessories? Warm as heck of course.

And the sweater?



Pattern: Main St. Pullover from Webs in the recommended Lenox yarn. The yarn knits up pretty fast. Except when I got to that Fair Isle part. There are rows with 3 colors which was new for me. But if you're willing to hang in and make it work I think it's really worth it. With every sweater I knit I really do feel like I learn more each time. And so far I've liked each one better than the last. So yes, this is my current favorite.

Modifications: I added to the bottom and knit it longer, then when it was done, decided it was too long and chopped a bunch off. I also didn't do all of the waist shaping which is now right above the bottom ribbing and I kind of blocked it out anyway. (Better to skip the midsection for me, I don't need anything clinging there, there are issues not worth mentioning) The yarn is very stretchy and drapey. If you knit it and have that cling and don't want it I found it blocks out bigger very easily. And if you need help with the blocking just give me a call and I'll send my blocking assistant Allister over. I dunno, he always promises to help but then a lot of time I find him slacking and just laying down on the job. Literally...

11 comments:

Katie Kiekhaefer said...

I had to come out of lurking to tell you how beautiful your sweater looks! You did an amazing job--it looks perfect!

Love the blog--keep up the great knitting work!

Jodi said...

The sweater is gorgeous! The color looks great on you, too.

It's chilly enough for handknits here now, too, thank goodness.

Tracy said...

Oh Allister you're no help.
Jana the sweater looks great on you! And I love the shots of you and your hat & wristlets, they're very artistic. And, in honor of all your hard work on warm cozy things, I present to you 1-3 inches of snow for tonight, YAY!

sunneshine said...

Fun, fun look at all those finished knits! That sweater is gorgeous and the neckline is perfect (definatly worth the rip and redo!)
Have a great week!! And a nice pat on the head for Allister!

Anonymous said...

Allister helps you as much as Sam and Jezzy help me I see. They were helping me tie a bow today by making sure the ends didn't get lost.

Your sweater looks gorgeous on you. Very flattering.

BEESTLYproducts said...

that sweater looks great!!! I think i'm going to rush through a pair of mittens before I leave the house today...

lobstah said...

The sweater looks soooo good on you! Great job.
I love your kitty, reminds me of my Quincy.

Tracy said...

Did Hildagard VanChatalot tell you where your hat & gloves were?

Rachel said...

That sweater looks so good on you and you did such a good job...its so pretty.

I have been itching to start some mittens/gloves/wristlets too. Just can't make up my mind..:)

Grace Garton said...

One day I'll venture past hats and gloves....breat wrist warmers and beanie...its is cold enough here in the Tassie to break out the woolies too!

My Bf is a big Fugazi fan and saw them play live twice hee in Hobart...I think they supported Henry Rollins.

Kari said...

Love the sweater!