Friday, September 25, 2009

Sweater Time


I've finished the Child's Striped Pullover. This was my first time knitting a sweater in pieces, then seaming it. The very thought of doing it has always frightened me, but it worked out okay. I'm glad I started small, as my seaming was a bit wonky on the first side, but it was neat and completely even on the second.

When I started I thought it was great that I was using a highly textured yarn (Lionbrand's Homespun) as it would hide any mistakes I made. However, as I got to work I realized that the texture of the [black] yarn also made it very difficult to see what I was doing. All in all I am pleased with the finished product, and I'm ready to seam up more sweaters in the future.

I had mentioned in a previous post that I had started a project that I would be able to work on in the dark. It's still not much to look at, but here it is- two sleeves, and half a torso:

On a recent trip to the Hub Mills Store I found 15 balls of Adrienne Vittadini Aria in the $1 bin, and just couldn't pass it up. It is a bulky weight wool/nylon blend that is very soft & Fuzzy. Although this is not the type of yarn I would imagine using for a sweater for myself, the texture reminds me of a favorite sweater from a long time ago. So, I wanted to get to work on a something right away. Since stockinette in the round is easy to do in the dark I decided it would become a simple seamless sweater. I have a few inches to go on the body before I have to join it all and decide on the shoulder shaping, but I am leaning towards Elizabeth Zimmerman's seamless Hybrid. While looking through projects on ravelry tagged with "men" I have noticed that there are two sweaters that seem to look great on everyone- no matter the colour or size. They are the seamless hybrid, and Jared Flood's Cobblestone. Since I have already made the Cobblestone the Seamless Hybrid seems like a great way to go with this.

This is exactly the time of year that I really love to be making a sweater, when the New England air is just beginning to feel like fall, and you know that crisp cool days will be here soon. Last Saturday was actually very cool here, and with the hopes of catching a glimpse of the first bits of red and gold in the trees I took my mother out for a drive in the mountains. We stopped along the way for an impromptu hike, and my mother managed to coerce me to have my picture taken. Luckily (because I hate posing for photographs) I was wearing a sweater I made at this time last year, and had never been photographed in. So, here I am in my Desert Sweater.

13 comments:

Clumsy Knitter said...

Yay for seaming sweaters!!! I actually kind of like to do it, but I know it's not everyone's favorite thing in the world. I really like the color of your Aria sweater, too. Very fall-like! :)

Yarndude said...

I would agree about Cobblestone and the Seamless Hybrid. I've made them both, and they're very nice looking, comfortable sweaters.

LDSVenus said...

I think the childs sweater turned out really well. I know it will be loved. I think that is a great picture of you, you're a handsome guy. :)

Joansie said...

The sweater you are wearing that you knitted really looks nice. You are getting a lot of knitting accomplished!

=Tamar said...

That's a great-looking sweater, and an extremely good picture. The subtle colors of the sweater bring out the colors in the steps and the rocks.

Dave said...

I love your Desert sweater -- beautiful colours that look wonderful on you, and the fit looks perfect. I also really like the relaxed styling. Rolled edges both top and bottom?

KnitWithTammy said...

That is a good sweater to practice seaming on. I have had a few people do them during my classes at Michael's.

Your Desert Sweater is very nice, and that view of the place you stopped to hike is AWESOME!!

Kims Kreations said...

Love all your sweaters..I have never made a seamless sweater ..well I have only made one sweater and I hate seams so may have to try one of them. I just love your knitting and your Desert Sweater is awesome looking on you!

Toni said...

Yes. thank you MOM! great shot of you in that great sweater!

I too find that homespun to be easy to get lost in. I can barely crochet with it. But have knitted several scarves with it as it is so soft.

I am so very jealous of your bargain bin finds!!

Have a great week. Great post!

Deb said...

Great sweaters! The child's sweater looks so soft & comfy.

Maureen said...

Baby sweater came out super cute! I will put one on my to make list for the future. I liked this pattern a lot. Your desert sweater is really great! Love the colors!!

Crystal said...

Great Pic! I love the sweater and the background is pretty.
I just love to see your work of art!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi again, well there you are...I can now put a face to your name and all those beautiful things you create.


Regards

Faye (Australia)

Remember me?????