Out With The Old

1. Rowan Felted Tweed sweater

Over on my wabisabi blog, I wrote about curbing startitis, and how moving has had me look seriously at the projects I abandoned.

I also mentioned that although I'd ripped most of them out, I did keep a few aside to finish. Because I've been dead sick with bronchitis for close to two weeks (well, the bronchitis just this week, but it all started last week), and because I'm still caught up in moving details, I've had very little energy to even knit at all.

But some of these Previously Abandoned Objects (The Other will note that this acronym is PAO :-) were actually perfect for this situation.

The first of these is the "Mandarin Blues" sweater from Knitter's Fall 2002 (K68). I'd knit the front, back, and part of one sleeve. I abandoned it because I couldn't find the rest of the yarn I knew I had, and it didn't turn up until just recently. But I actually kind of liked it, so thought it worth finishing.

I'll declare my bias up front: I'm not a big fan of this magazine, for a number of reasons, not the least of which is I don't find the patterns well written. There are lots of mistakes in this one (actual bits of pattern missing, so if you're not a reasonably confident knitter you might have some problems with it). And I always find that they either recommend either too much yarn or not enough. I made a vest a couple of years ago, and scrambled around to find 3 more balls of the yarn called for -- I had all but 3 balls, and really wanted to make it.

Not only did I not need the three balls, but I had three leftover from what I already had.

In this case, I had 8 balls of Rowan Felted Tweed, as called for in the pattern. I'd bought it for something else, which no longer appealed to me, so it seemed fate was throwing this pattern my way.

Except, I used absolutely every bit of those 8 balls. There are a few scraps left, but other than that, it seemed for a while to be a near thing.

And the problem with that is that the next size up also calls for 8 balls. If I'd made *that* size, I would have run out of yarn. And my gauge is on, the measurements are perfect.

The other thing is, Felted Tweed is a soft, drapey, limp yarn. There isn't enough garter stitch on the edges to stop it from curling, both at the bottoms, and at the back of the neck. I would definitely add a few more rows if I had the yarn to do it.

I'm hoping that blocking the hem severly will help with this, but I'm resigned to the fact that it will probably still roll.

That's okay. It's not a beautiful sweater on me, but it doesn't look bad, and, most importantly, it's *very* warm and cozy. It's too warm for the climate here in Lyon, but it'll be perfect once we move back to Canada. (In a month. Gulp.)

This picture will give you a better idea of the colour -- it's a pretty grey flannel with nubs of white and blue:

2. Colinette Jacket

The reason this is only 90% finished is that I've still got one side to sew up. I'd sewed the armholes to the body bits, then left it.

Why? Because it's heavy. It's supposed to have a collar and a button band, but it's too heavy to wear as a Real Cardigan. It's one strand of Point Five and one strand of Fandango held together.

It's actually really pretty, very dramatic, the picture is close on the colour, but in person, it's quite stunning.

But I was discouraged. It was too chunky as a cardigan. I didn't rip it out though, because I really loved the fabric and the colours.

I finally came up with a solution last week. Instead of a cardigan, it's going to be a little jacket. No bands, no buttons. They only thing I think I'm going to do is to crochet around all the edges to stop them from curling (front bands) and drooping (neck). I hope this doesn't give it a homespun kind of look, but that's the best solution I have at the moment.

The Other also suggested a couple of I-cord ties. I'm not sure I want ties, but I also think he may have an idea there. I'm going to look in Nicky Epstein's book of embellishments to see if there might be a more appropriate solution.

Comments

[Judith]

Hi Katherine
You talk of Ponchos I can thorougly recommend the free pattern here from Yesterknits (go to the home page and click for free patterns
Free pattern no 4
http://www.yesterknits.com/setup.html
You get it e mailed.I knit it with a mohair edge in garter stitch 14 rows then a double knit weight body in stocking stitch and a rib collar all in a carnelian red it looks fantasic is a great shape and fits my tall skinny daughter size 12 perfectly but also looks good on my shorter plumper daughter size 14! very easy to knit and a great finished object! when are you moving I do hope we wont have to miss your blogs!

[katherine]

Oh, Tracy, I would believe it. And you're echoing my thoughts, I finished sewing it up and sewing in all the ends, and the first thing I thought was "Dang, this thing is going to take for *ever* to dry".

Warm, though. Nice and warm :-)

[Tracy]

I finished a Point 5 jacket in colour Neptune last night and like you cannot believe just how heavy it is! Mine only uses Point 5, it's the one in the book that can either be a hooded jacket or coat. I haven't done a button band on mine either as I thought it was just so chunky, it looked better wrapped around me if very cold, or just hanging loose on other occasions. Heaven only knows what will happen when it needs a wash!!!!