Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Is it fall yet?

Last week when I was feeling bored with all my knitting, I couldn't stop thinking about Thea Colman's Allegheny Dress.  I put it on my Ravelry queue last winter, thinking I'd knit it up this fall.  But this weekend, I decided I just couldn't wait!

I had 11 balls of Valley Yarns' Northampton that I bought last winter with the intention of making a dress from one of my 1960s knitting books.  The yarn ended up not having enough drape for that dress, but I think it will be just right for this one.


If you've never used this yarn before, it's a lot like Cascade 220, but slightly more economical.  And you don't have to wind it into skeins!

Despite looking complicated, this dress is really not difficult at all, and it's going quickly for me since it's knit with worsted weight yarn on US8 needles.  I've almost finished my first ball of yarn:


It's your basic top-down raglan, mostly mindless stockinette with one wide cable panel to add interest.  The pattern is very well written, so I think even an advanced beginner could make this dress.  I'm really enjoying knitting this one, and it doesn't require too much attention, so I can watch Netflix at the same time.


If I don't make too many changes, I should be able to get this dress out of 5 balls of Northampton, which might leave me enough to make a sweater for Hubby too.  I am thinking of lengthening the sleeves though, at least to 3/4 length.

Have any of you started on "fall knitting" yet?  I know it's early, but I really just lost interest in my summer sweater!

18 comments:

  1. I love the cabling! Also the color you picked out is just perfect for you (now you have to have matching nails for this outfit). Interestingly enough, I lived near Webs (in Northampton) for four years but I never once tried any of their yarns!

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    1. I can't believe that! Did you at least go there to shop? I think I would have been there all the time!

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  2. It's times like these I wish I knew how to knit!

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    1. It's not very hard - you could certainly learn!

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  3. Oh yes, I'm hooked now! I may have to join you in knitting this. Fall can't come soon enough in my opinion.

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    1. Imagine how great it's going to look with some tights and boots!

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  4. Gail, Gail, Gail,
    and now you have Evelyn ready to jump in
    - just shakin' my head-
    :^)

    hugs

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    1. Hehehe - does that mean I'm an Arbiter of Taste? I always wanted to be an arbiter!

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  5. Ooh that's a really lovely design! I sorta want to make it now! It just looks so cooozy and I love cables...
    I shall live vicariously through you for now :)
    By the way, why DOES some yarn come in hanks?

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    1. You could totally make this dress - it's not that hard! Except you'd have to size down quite a bit. I'm making the smallest size, if you can believe that!

      And I don't know why some yarn comes in hanks! It's very pretty that way, but it adds an extra step!

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  6. This dress is going to be gorgeous! As for my own fall knitting, my Wisdom cardigan is coming along slowly but surely.

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    1. I think you've been too busy to knit! Hope you had a great time with your guests!

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  7. Gail, that dress is going to look just fabulous on you! I haven't knit a dress before, but must add that to my list.
    Have a great fourth.

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    1. Thanks! I'm getting more and more courageous - not about knitting them, but about wearing them!

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  8. ahhhh fall :) i can't wait for it! and I love that pattern -can't wait to see how yours turns out!

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  9. This dress will be PERFECT on you! I can't wait to see it! Sadly, I just can't knit in the summer-- it's too hot without central air! :)

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