I cast on for this sweater on an unseasonably cool day in August, and I wore it outside on a very warm day in September. When the temperature drops low and stays there, I'll be ready for it.
David wants to make sure you know that he took this excellent picture.
Pattern: More of a recipe, actually, from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Workshop. It's a seamless V-neck sweater with inset sleeves.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed in 20005, 5 balls and 04, 4 balls. This yarn is now discontinued.
Needles: Addi Turbos size 7
Time To Knit: August 11 - September 2
Modifications: I applied an interesting striping idea, "swatched" here. I started with 1 row of green, 2 rows of purple, 3 rows of green, etc. Since the sleeves are a little longer than the body, they just stripe 1 row of each color until the ribbing begins. I think this makes for a very flattering look, at least for my body shape.
David also took this picture. In case you were wondering.
I used a steek to make the neckline. I decreased one stitch on each side for every other row, got a little worried that this would make the neck too wide, and switched to one stitch on each side every third row. When I was satisfied that the neck was big enough, I just knit straight for the remainder of the sweater. The steek was also convenient for hiding the "jog" you get when changing colors while knitting in the round.
A few people asked me how I reinforced my steek. I didn't, actually. When I got to the time when I had to do it, I was tired. I didn't want to crochet. I didn't want to go downstairs to my sewing machine. The yarn is really grabby, and my test swatch didn't fray at all when I cut it, so I just went for it. It worked out quite well.
I love this sweater. I'm still quite impressed with myself when I knit a sweater that actually fits me well, and this one certainly does. Now bring on some cooler weather!
I like those pictures! :)
Posted by: David | September 09, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Wow! It turned out great, Kristy! And you knitted that up pretty darn quickly, too. I love the colors :)
And the pictures are pretty great, too.
Posted by: Beth | September 09, 2007 at 11:31 PM
I think it's wonderful! The varied striping is unusual and makes the sweater even more flattering on you. A year ago I would have freaked thinking about steeking, but now it seems to make so much sense! Great job on the sweater.
Posted by: Kathy | September 10, 2007 at 06:56 AM
Your tweedy sweater looks great on you. The steeked neckline works very well.
Nice job!
Posted by: Kirsten | September 10, 2007 at 07:12 AM
Very nice! I particularly like the striping sequence, which is a wonderful trick. The colours are perfect -- yay for green and purple!
Posted by: Dave | September 10, 2007 at 07:15 AM
Wow, you totally rock. A steek neckline? I think you've proved your knitting skillz. Damn. I'm so impressed. That would have sat in my WIP pile out of sheer terror of cutting...
It looks great too!!! I love, love, love stripes!!!!!!!
Posted by: Elinor | September 10, 2007 at 07:28 AM
That sweater looks fantastic, and it looks fabulous on you! Congrats.
Posted by: Julianne | September 10, 2007 at 07:41 AM
wow. that turned out great! it fits wonderful, i love the color combo and the stripes are so fun!
Posted by: stacey | September 10, 2007 at 09:36 AM
It looks fabulous! I admire you for doing the steeking. I still have not figured it out, and even if I did, I don't know that I'd be brave enough.
Posted by: kim | September 10, 2007 at 09:46 AM
Great sweater! (And pictures!:) I'm really hesitant to steek so it's good to know that I can start out with a smaller area like a neckline.
Posted by: monica | September 10, 2007 at 10:10 AM
You should be so proud. That is really impressive!
Posted by: Tanya | September 10, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Very cool sweater!
It's funny, 'cause Jake and I are moving, so I had to haul all of the "nearly there" sweaters out of a closet last night - I may just finish one of them after seeing your FO!
Posted by: Erin | September 10, 2007 at 10:48 AM
It looks wonderful- a perfect fit and the knitting looks fab!
Posted by: Christy | September 10, 2007 at 10:52 AM
You look *so* happy in those pics! ;) The sweater looks great and I am still so impressed with your steeking bravery!
Posted by: Jessica | September 10, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Great job! The fit is perfect & flattering. I love the way the stripes worked out. Hopefully the weather will cooperate so you can wear this sweater soon.
Posted by: Kim | September 10, 2007 at 11:36 AM
It looks great. I really like the striping. I generally avoid horizontal stripes, but I think this system would flatter me also, emphasizing the chest rather than hips.
Posted by: Christy/ Not Hip | September 10, 2007 at 12:00 PM
You're finished already?!... That was fast!
The graduated stripes are really, really cool. Love it!
Posted by: Beth S. | September 10, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Oh, it turned out so well! The neckline looks perfect, and I'm definitely a fan of the graduated stripes.
Posted by: Stella | September 10, 2007 at 01:11 PM
You did a great job with the tweedy striped sweater, Kristy! I think you are all set for the first chill of fall!
Posted by: nova | September 10, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Fabulous! The neckline is perfect! Great colors for the stripes too.
Posted by: Brenda | September 10, 2007 at 05:37 PM
It looks great! We had some unseasonably cool weather today - would have liked that sweater:)
Posted by: stacey | September 10, 2007 at 07:57 PM
Impressive it is! Great job! The stripes turned out fantastic.
Posted by: tiennie | September 10, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Wow, that turned out really well! Great job! I hope the cool weather arrives soon.
Posted by: Lazuli | September 10, 2007 at 08:48 PM
I love that stripe sequence. Clever knitter!
Posted by: Liz K. | September 10, 2007 at 10:51 PM
its awesome! Just the ticket for a nice fall day!
Posted by: Kelly | September 11, 2007 at 07:37 AM
Super cute! And SO fall! And it was such a great touch to add the decreasing sized stripes. And steeked neck? Clever girl.
Posted by: knittingphilistine | September 11, 2007 at 08:30 AM
Perfect fit, and I love the design touch with the striping. Gorgeous!
Posted by: Ruth | September 11, 2007 at 10:11 AM
Well done! Such a cute basic sweater, and congrats on your first steekwork!
Also, I almost didn't see the graduated striping at first -- I just thought, "my, what a flattering fit." Must mean your clever styling is doing its job. :)
Posted by: pamela wynne | September 11, 2007 at 10:44 AM
It's a beautiful sweater and it looks great on you! Brava! And Kudos to David for taking such great shots!
Posted by: Carol | September 11, 2007 at 03:26 PM
It all came out so well! The colors, the striping, the v-neck, the fit -- all fantastic. Great job!
Posted by: Jean | September 11, 2007 at 03:57 PM
Great sweater!
Posted by: Oiyi | September 11, 2007 at 10:14 PM
What a wonderful sweater! The colors look great together and the fit is fantastic. Well done!
Posted by: Faith | September 11, 2007 at 11:42 PM
Beautiful colours and design - the striping is oh-so-clever!
PS: Great photos, David.
Posted by: Nora | September 12, 2007 at 02:23 AM
Looks great, very flattering.
Posted by: Christine | September 12, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Kristy,
The sweater turned out fabulous! I knew I was going to love those colors together when you brought them to SnB!
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | September 12, 2007 at 09:36 PM
It looks completely fantastic.
Posted by: Juno | September 13, 2007 at 11:12 AM