How do you know when it’s time to knit a sweater?
By Sarah | January 7, 2008
When **gasp** your husband asks: “When you are going to start knitting more sweaters? You know, you will never get good at it if you don’t practice.” Thank you, Bob, for pointing that out to me. (Oh, and yes, Mr. Plucky’s name is Bob).
Think my sweater fiasco of 06′ has left a scar. (Yes, there was a sweater knit back in October 06′ – pre-blog. Too big. Gauge issue I am sure. The main issues being that I did not do a gauge swatch and then proceeded to knit a size too big for me).
It’s not for lack of inspiration. I’ve got inspiration. Here, I’ll show you – check these out:
- Look what Emily made!
- Flint Knits - Wow.
- Kaari by Darktrico - I love the neck line and the simplicity of the sweater
- Tilted Duster by Parikha – Gorgeous! Or, even a Rusted Root – Love her modifications.
- Look at Annie’s Juliet – so pretty and flattering
- And dear Gina – encouraging me to finish my Flair (acutally have a couple inches of this done but have oh so conveniently misplaced my pattern).
Oh, to be able to pick-up the needles and decide to just do something like this:
So, now my question to you is. For someone who considers herself a pretty solid intermediate knitter, but is afraid, soooo afraid, of garmet knitting… what should I do first? I need help. And hand holding.
I have enough Malabrigo to make a Flair, Jo Sharp DK to make a Cavern or anything that calls for a yarn such as Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool (enough yarn in two colorways), and 10 skeins of BSA sportweight in the Licorice colorway and BSA in colorway 525. What’s a gal to do? HELP.
As far as finished objects go. I did finish up a couple o’ easy peasey ones this weekend. Yet another Slouchy Copy Cat in Malabrigo worsted, blue graphite.
And this fun little ditty. The XO UO Cowl from Knit Lit.
Based on this. I couldn’t resist a Grace Kelly shot.
I used some Malabrigo chunky I found when I went searching through my stash along with some handspun (also found in the stash) purchased off etsy last winter.
And, my socks in the snow as they have come to be known are this close to being done. Which means I get to cast on for a new pair – yeah!
26 Comments
Wannabe on January 7, 2008 at 6:52 pm.
Best line ever….Oh, and yes, Mr. Plucky’s name is Bob! Bwahahahahah…okay so maybe some people didn’t know that…it just cracked me up!
LUFF LUFF LUFF the hat and the Grace Kelly shot. Oh so glam.
And dude. I’m with you on the sweater. The thought makes me pee a little bit. I have many sweaters worth too and I’m too bloody freaked out to make one. Of course, I do remember thinking this way about socks and now I’m addicted….so….just do it.
Kirsten on January 7, 2008 at 7:50 pm.
My mother, who reads my blog regularly and bugs me when she doesn’t think I’m posting often enough, commented that I haven’t knit a sweater in a long time. Perhaps I should join you and cast on for a bigger project.
The Grace Kelly shot is very glam!
Carrie S. on January 7, 2008 at 9:38 pm.
You are so, so, so cute. I love that cowl…
mai on January 7, 2008 at 9:57 pm.
i say you should knit whatever you want to knit! but whatever you decide to make, i’m here to hold your hand
Karen on January 7, 2008 at 10:05 pm.
You can do a sweater, any sweater you want!! I know you can.
PS: Even though I love my Sunrise Circle, the thought of knitting another sweater still scares me too. Socks seem much less intimidating. Why is that?
Annie on January 7, 2008 at 10:17 pm.
Ok Grace Kelly (fab-u-lous!), have you seen the Drops 103-1 jacket? All the kids are doing it. You know you wanna! http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=103&d_id=1
Meadow on January 7, 2008 at 10:58 pm.
Can’t help you with the sweater dilemma, sorry.
I just wanted to say that I love the Grace Kelly shot!
krysten on January 8, 2008 at 1:21 am.
i agree with wannabe, i laughed out loud…actually it was more of a guffaw i believe, when i read that line!
your pics are too cute!
and i am with you on the sweater thing too, hubby wants a sweater and i’m a-feared! i’m thinking something with as few seams as possible, like the one in Knitting Without Tears…
and hey! i finished my january KAL socks!!! yay!!
Lin on January 8, 2008 at 2:30 am.
Gorgeous cowl, so cosy in that yarn. If I was knitting a first sweater I would choose a top down design, like the Zephyr girls knits. Wicked is a great sweater and trying on as you go is good! (use interchangeable needles, like Denises, to make that easier). Also not to be afraid to rip back if it doesn’t feel right.
Monica on January 8, 2008 at 7:41 am.
Love the hat and cowl! The Grace Kelly shot is fabulous!
I’ve knit lots of sweaters and there isn’t anything to them really. Now socks – they scare me. I admit it! LOL All of the sweaters you linked to are just wonderful. I’m going to have to revisit Rusted Root with Parikha’s modifications!
Terra on January 8, 2008 at 9:50 am.
Love the cowl! Hmm, I have some noro kochoran burning a hole in my stash that might be perfect for something like that…
You know what? I hate to say it, but for me, the trick to garments is…sigh…swatching. I know. Actually knitting a decent size swatch. And washing it. And measuring it. And not being afraid of frogging.
That said, top down patterns are a great way to avoid swatching too much:)
Paula on January 8, 2008 at 10:12 am.
So fab Grace Kelly shot! And here’s my two cents on knitting sweaters–if YOU want to go ahead. But didn’t we all start knitting as a hobby? Isn’t it supposed to relax, refresh and entertain us? If sweaters stress you out, don’t do it until it seems right. As you so aptly point out, there are way too many places to find kicky sweaters at low cost (yarn ain’t cheap!) and that way we free up our time to do cute things you can’t find anywhere…like great hats and cowls. When the time is right, a sweater will sing to you and that will be that!
Plus, you have a husband, daughter, full-time job and a yarn dyeing business. I don’t REALLY think you need another big challenge in your life. HaHa!
Macoco on January 8, 2008 at 11:30 am.
I am loving your Grace Kelley shot. Mysterious and sophisticated.
Veronique on January 8, 2008 at 11:49 am.
It sounds like you’ve already discovered the secret of knitting sweaters: swatching! Yes, it really does matter if you’re just a bit off… It’s totally doable though!! Another thing I’ve found is that knitting a sweater top down takes forever, and that I’d much rather knit it in pieces and seam them later. I think I’m the only knitter of that persuasion
That being said, I think that Juliet and the Drops cardigan are both fairly bulky (yet elegant) and would be great first sweater projects.
Stacey on January 8, 2008 at 12:16 pm.
I just posted about this very thing Girl! We are so on the same page right now…sick to death of scarves….have knit 2 Slouchy Copy Cat hats (a brown one for me,like you) and have had fear of knittign a grown up size sweater. I scrapped the sweater I was knitting for Twist. I am LOVING it!
Peaceangel on January 8, 2008 at 2:14 pm.
Ooooh…I love Flint Knits DROPs sweater! I’ve been eyeing this pattern for a while. Good luck with the sweater hunting.
stinkerbell on January 8, 2008 at 7:20 pm.
if I can do it so can you
)
this is so much fabulousness in sweaters inspiration… sparks me and my interests in trying to decide what comes next as right now I am working all small projects (including socks with your yarn
Emily on January 8, 2008 at 8:17 pm.
You are so stinking cute in your hat and scarf! Love the grace kelly shot!
I would say try something in worsted weight so it’ll be quicker. Make sure to wash n’ block that swatch!
thanks for the linky…you’re making me blush!
Shannon on January 8, 2008 at 10:02 pm.
Oh Sarah the cowl and pictures are gorgeous! You can do no wrong. I happen to agree with Paula about just buying a sweater versus taking valuable time to knit one. You are busy. But I know it seems like a hurdle you have to conquer.
See ya dah-ling.
mfrey on January 9, 2008 at 11:20 am.
nice shots plucky, you’ve been cute since the big braid down your back. sweater!!!! i’m just learning to knit and pearl!!!
Amanda on January 9, 2008 at 7:32 pm.
Off the topic of knitting- I absolutely LOVE your hair. I so wish mine looked like that. Mine is so flat and lifeless.
On topic of knitting- I love the cowl!
Lara on January 10, 2008 at 3:10 am.
I would go for Cavern or the the Tilted Duster. They both would be great sweaters! I love your pics! They are way to cute.
Naomi on January 10, 2008 at 9:37 am.
Thanks for the smile. The Grace Kelly shot…adorable!
guage, guage, guage…read my latest post for a little nudge about guage!
It really is worth time to do one(or two, or three)!
Looking forward to seeing you next month!
tinker on January 11, 2008 at 2:50 pm.
i LOVE that hat. and your hair! fabulous. you rock.
knitlit kate on January 19, 2008 at 10:44 pm.
i am diggin the GK stylee of the XO UO cowl! thanks for the plug. kate
Stephanie on January 20, 2008 at 7:37 pm.
I love your cowl! Did you knit it with the Malabrigo and the Handspun held together? Or did you alternate it?
Thanks!