Monday, November 24, 2008

Dakota Earth and Sky











Ta Da!!!!!!



I am so so so happy with this sweater- the only change I'd make to the pattern would be to have the sleeve cuffs just a tinch bigger, and increase a bit at the beginning of the Fair Isle portion of the sleeve (I used 44 sts, and I would go up to 48 for the CO, and then increase to 52, and then do the rest of the increasing as per usual- 2 sts every 3rd rnd, until I get the desired number of sts, and then work even for the proper length). That and the neckline- I still have trouble making a neckline that isn't too large. This one is better, but it's still cut a bit looser than I want. Both are easy fixes for the next time I knit a sweater with this size yarn and needles (I have a template now. Wahoo!)

I didn't take lots of pics during the steeking because the process was no different from Genevieve's Graduation sweater- cut, zig-zag edges, fold in, pick up and knit bands, sew in the sleeves. I did try to take a picture of the body, before I cut the front opening (I was testing to see if it would fit- which it did) but I can't figure out how to take an indoor pic and turn the flash off. Luckily, I had some good buttons on hand, so the sweater is finished, blocked, and drying.

I decided, almost at the last minute, to make solid color front and neckbands- I realized that the yellow/orange/peach would not look good up against the lighter top colors. I think that was the right decision.

Tomorrow, after the sweater dries, I'll model it, and get someone to take pics (I love y'all almost as much as I love showing off, but not enough to stand in the snow in a wet sweater).
Stats: Started knitting: November 9, 2008. Finished: November 24 (this is some sort of record for me, I think), Size 5 needles, all handspun yarns, the dark background colors are all undyed natural wools, most of which I acquired in the fleece, and then washed myself (and sent out for carding). The fibers are almost all long-wools (Romney, to be specific), though there is a bit of mohair, a bit of glitz, a bit of softer wool here and there. This is not a sweater that I will be able to wear without a shirt or turtleneck underneath. Some of these yarns were spun 6 or 7 years ago, some were just finished in August. The sweater weighs 2lbs, which is heavy, but not as heavy as I thought it was going to be. I might be able to wear it indoors (since I lost weight, I'm colder than I used to be).
So, now I have to concentrate on Christmas knitting, before I wind the absolutely gorgeous and soft and wonderful and fantastic brushed mohair yarn I got from Twisted Fiber Arts as the last installment of The Big Needle Club- 460 yards that will be perfect for a fuzzy shawl. I have the pattern picked out. But first, Holiday Knitting... I promise...

7 comments:

Elizabeth D said...

Kathleen, you scare me. I'm guessing you can't use wooden needles, because they would surely burst into flame. . .

Elizabeth D

Anonymous said...

It is a beautiful sweater. I have been working on a fairisle sweater for ages so you amaze me with how fast you are. Just wanted you to know I love it.

A Lurker, Cindy from IA

joannamauselina said...

Wow! It would have taken me a year to knit. And it looks great on skinny you. Perfect fit.

Mary Keenan said...

Kathi, this sweater is like one of those books that seem to write themselves! And it's gorgeous, and I'm so glad you shared it all along the way. I know you'll really enjoy wearing it every single time you put it on.

Anonymous said...

Stunning!

Anonymous said...

The sweater is Fantastic!
I LOVE it!!
BRAVO!!
Mona

RuthieJ said...

Wow that sweater turned out just beautiful! I love all those colors together. You are an inspiration to all knitters.