Monday, December 17, 2007

Top-Down Magic

The problem with stripes...
The solution: an evening of weaving in ends.
Pre-blocking
Blocking with Fiesta

FO
Knitter: Rebecca
Pattern: Top-Down Sweater, #6 Unpattern by Karen Alfke. I love this pattern. I've made at least five sweaters with it, all different and all of them fit perfectly. The pattern is designed so well that perfect fit is a given. It's all about gauge. Your vision, your yarn, this pattern = the best sweater, ever. Once in a while I teach a class for the Top-Down Sweater using the #6 Unpattern.
Yarn and needles: Jamieson DK in 5 colors, size 4.5 Inox grey circular needles, G crochet hook.
Project Notes: I started this sweater in September, 2004. I cruised through it until I became hopelessly stumped when trying to figure out the hood ~ I'd never knit one before and had all my 'how to' books out, trying several styles, frogging each in turn, putting it away to think about and losing track of it until a couple weeks ago. This time around the hood just about knit itself and wa-laa, a little crochet chain 3 times around, weave in the endless ends, block and done on December 2nd, 2007. Took me three days. If only I'd known how easy a hood really is...

And now for an 'omg moment': I just realized that I did a really good job matching the repeat from the body to the sleeves! I hadn't noticed this until I looked at the photos of the FO hanging in the Rhody. Just-goes-to-showya ~ step back and admire your work now and then: you may see something different and wonderful.

The Magic Bits
(other sweaters from this pattern)

Sock Monkey Sweater
in Rowan DK Marl
Sock Monkey Suit
in Tweed DK
using the same pattern.

Jamieson DK Henley with
vintage buttons, a little pocket
and side-vents
Koigu V-Neck with short sleeves
(7 skeins)
Koigu Crew Neck with long sleeves
Boyds Bear in worsted weight v-neck

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not the only theme blogger! The hood looks fab! All of them look fab! Where are the patrons of starving artiste knitters like the patrons of artistes in general? Hmmmm? Time to teach it again! I'm ready this time.

Love,

El

Anonymous said...

I'm not the only theme blogger! The hood looks fab! All of them look fab! Where are the patrons of starving artiste knitters like the patrons of artistes in general? Hmmmm? Time to teach it again! I'm ready this time.

Love,

El

Kim said...

Hey - that looks really great! And I totally agree with you that Karen Alfke's patterns are fab. Miss you !

Anonymous said...

You knit a BEAR from a sweater pattern? Now, that IS a flexible pattern! (I kid.)

The green sweater is gorgeous. Hope to see you wearing it sometime soon!!

-Ryan

Melanie said...

What a great hoodie! You have the patience of a saint to work in all those ends. It's beautifully done.

Anonymous said...

You could've treated the ends the way I did on the sleeves of my purply Koigu faux Oriental Jacket. Let them hang. After spending about a week weaving ends on the body I wanted to start wearing it so I left the ends. It's a year later and I still haven't gotten back to it. It does make the sleeves a little bulkier but it's extra warm!