So, for my January Knitters Almanac Project, we had to do an aran sweater. I swatched the cable charts that were given, but they did not show up well enough in the yarn I chose, so I browsed through my books and picked out three cables that I really liked. They are separated by purl stitches. I also wanted to learn how to do a steek, so decided to knit my sweater in the round, then cut it up the side to make it into a cardigan. Yes, I CUT MY KNITTING! I also had to take into account the fact that my yarn is not %100 wool, it is %60 silk and %40wool. So, I researched the best way to stitch it before cutting to prevent unravelling. EZ recommends having a glass of wine before you cut your steek to calm the nerves. Well, it was Sunday morning, so not really wine time :) I just cut without agonizing over it....
My vest still needs buttons, which I ordered from Camilla Valley Farms. 8 Fir buttons with button loops will finish this off nicely. Right now, for my photos, I used a wooden double pointed needle to give you the idea of how it will look.
So, I learned quite a bit. How to steek and chart my own cables. I knit the entire garment in the round, right from the bottom to the finishing borders. If you were to find the end, you would be able to unravel the whole thing! I also made up my own pattern as I went as far as sizing and adding a hood. I used up almost all the yarn I had (hence it is only a vest) and have enough left to just do the button holes.
The yarn I used is Katia Scotch Tweed in the Dusty Lilac colorway. I used all 10 balls. It is a chunky weight yarn so I used 4.5mm needles and it knit up quickly, especially because there was no seaming, only a few ends to sew in. I think I will get alot of use out of this vest considering it was -31Celsius this morning!
Steeking = eeeeeeeek! the_fearless_knitter, more like! The vest is beautiful. :-)
ReplyDeleteStay warm!
AWESOME! I don't know that I'll ever have the guts for steeking.
ReplyDeleteVery, very nice. I wouldn't mind a pattern to knit this for myself.
ReplyDeletethats so pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteVery neat pattern! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow on earth do you make these things so quickly!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you all :) Cristi-Lael, I don't have a pattern, but I could write out the cable chart and email it to you...are you on Ravelry?
ReplyDeleteAngel, I knit fo rat least 2 hrs every night and maybe an hour or two during the day if I get the time. I also take it with me in the car or if I am waiting anywhere. I hate to waste time, so I manage to get something done!
WOW, I never knew you could cut your knitting. It looks so cool! You did a great job!!!
ReplyDelete