I dreamed about making this sweater all summer long. I'd wanted to make it last fall and never got to it, so it was top of my list this fall. The pattern was a gift from the lovely Jo, after we'd completed our Miette Knitalong. Thanks, Jo!
I really enjoyed knitting this pattern. The lace is a short, easily memorized repeat - enough to add some interest without being too "thinky." This is the sweater I was blocking in my steam blocking videos, and one of the things I loved about the pattern is that all the shaping is based on pattern repeats: e.g. work 7 repeats of the back, then 6 repeats for the sleeves, then another 7 for the fronts. So aside from keeping track of the lace pattern, you don't have to count rows.
I was the teensiest bit disappointed in the fit once I tried it on. I made the second size, for a 34" bust. I knew it wouldn't close at the front even over my 33" bust, but I wasn't expecting it to be so close to the shoulder. The sleeves are also very close-fitting, so for me, I can only wear this one over something sleeveless like the grey dress I've got on today. So if you make this one, depending on what kind of fit you like, consider going up a size.
The yarn is Quince & Co. Chickadee in Honey. This is my first time using this yarn, and it won't be the last. It's a delight to work with - soft and springy. It's definitely got a "wool" feel, but I have pretty sensitive skin and don't mind wearing it on my bare arms. I had literally knit only a few rows of this sweater after I cast on, and then went to my computer to search Ravelry for other patterns that use it!
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| this photo shows the true color - at least on my screen |
I used mattress stitch to close up the seams. For some reason, I let the sweater sit for a week after finishing the knitting and blocking and before seaming. Silly me!
A couple more pix before I run off:
The whole outfit: Ponte dress from Land's End about 5 years ago, Swarovski necklace and earrings, boots from Born, also old.
Heading out the door! See ya!
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| Me and my Shadow :-) |
Love the colour of this. Adds just the right pop to your outfit. And the lace pattern is so pretty. May need to go in the queue.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I spent literally a couple weeks looking over the color selections before choosing this one! It was down to Honey or Frost - so I may consider doing a second one at some point!
DeleteI HIGHLY recommend this pattern! Much easier than it looks, engaging and so pretty! Also very well written and easy to follow for less experienced knitters. (Not directing that at you, just putting it out there because I forgot to say it in the post!)
Gorgeous! That pattern just got added to my queue. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marrie! You will love this pattern!
DeleteI love the color of this sweater! Your outfit looks perfect for a night out. Your knitting makes me think that I should at least attempt to learn to knit one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shar! You can knit - it's not hard! Only two stitches to learn, and then endless variations of those two make it interesting!
DeleteThis is the kind of sweater that makes me think about learning to knit. It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa!
DeleteThat little cardi looks right up my alley. I've heard so much about quince and co., I should really try a skein!
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested to try some of their other yarns as well. My only gripe is that the colors are difficult to see on their website. But they have fantastic pattern support.
Deletethis is gorgeous! i'd wear something like that all the time. love the color!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! I was surprised yesterday by how warm it is, given all those holes! (Or maybe that was just me, being menopausal!)
DeleteLovely little cardi, the color is great and the whole outfit is totally jazzy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carmela!
DeleteIt's a pretty little cardi. I loved how you styled it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristen! I really like this outfit too!
DeleteSo pretty! I'd forgotten I'd gifted you this pattern! I'm really pleased that you made it! :) I love a simple lace. I like the way you've styled it too :)
ReplyDeleteYou did indeed! And I thought of you often as I made it!
DeleteI love it and really want to knit one for myself. Hope you had a great time out.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracey! Definitely check it out - it's a lovely pattern!
DeleteThis is lovely, the lace is very pretty! It looks really nice with the grey dress.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam! I'm hoping to make a new dress to go with it too . . . eventually!
DeleteSuch a lovely sweater. Just left you a Ravelry message asking about the yarn, but now that I read the post I got my answer - and I'm happy with what you have to report about it! Thanks for the tip about the sizing too. I do hope you get to wear it quite a bit, even if it fits snug, because it's really nice.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I just saw your Rav note! Yes, I really love this yarn. I don't recall seeing any negative comments on any of their yarns. I want to try the fingering and worsted weight wools - this one is DK weight. Linen sounds really nice too - I didn't realize they had a linen yarn. I think these yarns are moderately priced - not cheap, but the yardage is good, and the quality and colors are excellent.
DeleteWonderful job! It is a lovely knit. You look so chic!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stef!
DeleteThis is so lovely! What a beautiful sweater! I'm finishing up a scarf/wrap in this same color (but in Lark, rather than Chickadee). I started a sweater in it, but then felt weird about wearing the color so close to my face... so I started a scarf a year later (ha!). I really, really like this pattern-- it's so lovely!
ReplyDeleteHehehe - you'll have to wear the scarf around your waist then! I didn't realize the colors were consistent across the different yarn lines. Hmmm . . . I have my eye on the Lichen colorway . . .
DeleteYour Honey Kara is perfect! I'm looking forward to stashing some chickadee soon especially after hearing more about this yearn from you!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Can you buy it in the shop over there? I haven't seen it in shops here. I wonder if it's mail order only?
DeleteOK, that yarn is beautiful! Can't wait to use my recently arrived stash of it (in diff colourways). And I bet, if you fully wet blocked the sweater you would achieve the extra ease that seems to be missing (and that you were anticipating). Thing about the Quince yarn I've used is that it really doesn't grow. But you will be able to stretch shape it adequately, IMO.
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest - that is never going to happen! I would rather wear something a little tight than go to the trouble of wet blocking!
DeleteIt is my own fault though - I never even looked at the sizing schematic. If I had, I would have seen that the finished 12" sleeve measurement was inadequate for my 13" bicep. I did manage to steam it to a comfortable size, so it's all good - just not the layering piece I thought I was making.
LOL - good to know yourself :-) You know, wet blocking is a bit of a pain in the ass, but I kind of like it. It makes me feel more associated with the item in shaping it to specific dimensions. It really tells me about the personality of the yarn.
DeleteLove the cardi! Could you not just pin the sleeves wider then steam block and let it cool stretched out? Quick, no?
DeleteI probably could. However, that would distort the lace pattern, as compared with the rest of the sweater. The sleeves are knit side to side, rather than bottom to top, so the stretch is different than usual.
DeleteOh this is just gorgeous! I love the colour, I love the style and I don't think the fit is off at all, it looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sabs! The fit is not really off, just not what I was expecting. Lesson learned: check the schematic first!
DeleteAfter viewing the blocking tutorials, it's great to see the finished sweater! I really love the color.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie!
Delete