Socktoberfest did not start with socks for me… it started with the completion of this sweater. It has been hanging around since April, and I finally had enough momentum to finish the yoke after returning to work on it in September. I could not put it aside any longer… and I am so glad I pushed through to complete it now!
Jacquard Pullover
Pattern: Rebecca #34, pattern #1
Yarns: Jo Sharp DK wool (brown and ivory), Ella Rae Classic (ivory), Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (pink), Cascade Lana d’Oro (blue), Knit Picks Andean Silk (green)
Needles: Size US 8 circulars (body) and DPNs (sleeves)
Started: April 22nd / Completed: October 4th
[All Jacquard Pulli photos here]
I started this during Project Spectrum as an all-encompassing knit project. The colors used in the Fair Isle pattern were choices from each element, and I liked the traditional, yet modern, style of the sweater. I bought the magazine at my LYS in January, and this sweater was the #1 reason why I picked it up. I toyed with the idea of getting new yarn, but once I looked at my stash, I thought that I may be able to do some real stashbusting with yarns that were already in the stash. Most of these yarns had been in there for over two years! . The colors came together so well, even with the slightly varying weights of yarn that I used (worsted and DK).
Back in April when I started this sweater, I decided to make the 38″ size, thinking that the stranding would cause it to be a little smaller anyway. Looking back, this is one of the only things I would have changed. The sweater is quite large for me in the bust and the armholes (almost two inches on each side), but fits well along the hips. If I had planned things a little better, I would have made the 34″ or the 36″ for the top banding, and the 38″ for the bottom, calculating the math and decreasing in the brown band in the middle. There was no way to predict back in April that I would be smaller (I have lost almost 30 lbs since then) and this is always a dilemma when knitting garments and losing weight. That being said, the fit is not awful but I would prefer a little more form in the midsection and bust line, and more decreases leading to the neckline. (You can see in the above photo how the collar sticks out a bit…) I considered doing sweater “surgery” and trying to adjust the lines inside with a sewing machine. Has anyone ever tried this?
You may recall that the sleeves also gave me a little problem – they seemed so short. I added an inch onto the cuff (picked up stitches and knit down) and it worked out perfectly once it was yoked together! This was the only issue I had with the Rebecca pattern. Other knitters have told me that Rebecca patterns often have little mistakes, but I really did not encounter that with this particular pullover. I have several other Rebecca mags and I plan to make several garments – their stuff is so chic, and incorporates some really fun elements like colorwork and cables.
I am so enamored with colorwork this year – and I don’t see the end of this obsession any time soon. This is my largest colorwork project to date (and my first with Fair Isle motifs). Just a few years ago, I never would have thought this possible – the idea of colorwork scared me, and now I can’t seem to get enough. I have another Icelandic pullover planned for this fall or winter – maybe even two. And socks, and maybe a another stranded hat too… it excites me to think of all of the possibilities!
We woke up early and headed to one of our favorite spots for autumnal photographs. The leaves have not started turning colors just yet, but the days are growing shorter and the crisp smell is in the air. I love this season! Kris was so kind to snap these photos for me as the dogs ran circles around us!
…and while the Pulli was blocking, I started the mates for both my Laila’s socks and my Noro socks… my logic was that if I cast on for both of them, neither would linger for too long. NOW, it really is Socktoberfest for me! More updates on this fun month-long celebration to come!
*…and just in case you skipped German I, Er ist fertig means it is ready! Some German still sticks with me after these few years!
That looks great! I love that it was stashbusty too.
Excuse me for correcting but in german you would say: “Er ist fertig”. Like he is ready, I don’t know why but a sweater is a he and referred to as a he aswell. Hope this was understandable, because my english is not that good.
The sweater turned out really nice, and I like how it looks on you. Btw. I also have problems with the Rebecca patterns, they seem to have problems with proportions
Have a nice sunday!
Sibylle
Oh, very pretty Lolly! All the colors work so well together and it’s wonderful you were able to use yarns from your stash. Nice knitting!
Mmm… what a lovely piece of colourwork. It is beautiful!
Thank you for the correction, Sibylle! I always got mixed up with genders
What a lovely way to begin fall! Good timing to get it done and move onto Socktoberfest.
Perfect fall colors and a lovely day to show it off!
The colors play nicely together. Beautiful work!
oh, lolly! This is just stunning.
Another beauty! And such perfect timing for autumn too!
Great job. I really want to do some stranded colorwork but I think it will have to wait until the baby is a little older.
So pretty, Lolly! You look so happy in it. The colors came together so perfectly; I’ll have to keep that idea in mind for future stash-busting endeavors.
Lolly! It’s fantastic! You make me want to drop everything (which I cannot do at this point) and cast on immediately!
Your sweater is LOVELY
and you look WONDERFUL wearing it!
Congratulations on the changes you’ve made,
you are such an inspiration to us out here
in blogland!
Oh, it looks fabulous on you! I’ve never performed sweater surgery myself, but I do own a vintage crochet cardigan that has been taken in with a sewing machine, and it seems to have worked very well. Well done on losing so many pounds – what an achievement!
The sweater is beautiful and you look wonderful, Lolly. Well done on all counts.
Ausgezeitnicht!!
Wunderbar Lolly! Just beautiful.
Beautiful! looks lovely on you! Such a brave girl you are with all the logistical mods…
That looks great! Good job.
Hi Lolly,
Another gorgeous FO.. I’m so jealous, I’m not seeming to finish anything at the ‘mo… using Socktoberfest to try to catch finish-it-up-itis. Interesting to hear about the weight loss, I thought this sweater wasn’t as flattering on you as usual… I also lost a chunk of weight this year and had to do sweater surgery – it is possible, and only requires the same bravery as steeking. Check out what I did to my kauni cardi here:
http://knittingsheep.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-butcher-your-knitting-stage-1.html
http://knittingsheep.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-butcher-your-knitting-part-2.html
http://knittingsheep.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-butcher-your-knitting-part-three.html
It turned out amazingly well, and I’m so glad I did it, as I would never have worn it otherwise!
Okay, the sweater is great, but holy shit, girl! 30 pounds?!?! *That* is impressive. Congratulations!
Wow 30 lbs! Go you! I was going to initially say that it looks like it’s on the big side, but for good reason! It still looks great though! Congrats!
That’s the best colourwork sweater I have seen. It flatters you and brings out everything about the fall season!
You should be really proud, it’s incredible! I’m itching to do some colourwork now. And if you don’t want to tackle it with the sewing machine it’s always nice to have one or two sweaters that are loose and cosy that you can curl up in – this looks perfect for that!
GORGEOUS!!!! I also love the second one you linked to — the zip-up cardigan. I imagine that involves steeks — that scares me! However, since your projects always inspire me, maybe your trying steeks will get me over my fear!
Awesome job on the sweater! I am totally feeling the need to knit a colorwork sweater.
Beautiful!! Great colors!
It is beautiful!
had to come for another look – and i had no idea you lost 30 lbs!! wow! congratulations. i just joined sparkpeople with the aim of losing a little myself – have you been on that?
It’s gorgeous!
It’s a beautiful sweater, and the colours look great on you! Enjoy wearing it!
Der ist aber schoen geworden! And those photos are stunning, I’d love to be at that yellow meadow right now.
Btw, your German to English translation was correct. When translating, you use proper grammar/syntax of each language, instead of translating literally
This is so pretty! I hope to make something like this in my lifetime
What a beautiful sweater! And congrats on the weight loss. That’s a really remarkable change!
I love that sweater ~ it is the prettiest one so far! You should be very proud!
Really beautiful!
I can’t tell you how much I love that sweater! And it is perfect on you, really it looks wonderful!!!!!!
Congrats on the weight loss, how exciting, you look fantastic. I on the other hand have found mine again and I’m just, well I’m kind of beside myself. Literally!!!!
Lolly, the sweater is gorgeous!
Ich gratuliere Lolly! Der Pulli ist sehr schön geworden. Ich muss demnächst auch mit der Jaquard-Technik versuchen. Liebe Grüße!
It is beautiful and it looks great on you!
Icelandic: Hún er tilbúin!
It’s beautiful, I love the colours and I can’t wait to see you cast on another Icelandic sweater! I’m planning one for myself as well, similar to that Héla cardigan.
Danish: Den er færdig!
Now you know!
totally gorgeous sweater,Lolly…totally!
i love that first photo, you look so happy.
it’s a really cute sweater, it would be a shame if you weren’t complete happy with it. i’d take the risk and take it in, just a little. i’ll be doing the same with my favorite cardigan pretty soon. i’ll be taking the lazy approach and turning it inside out , then taking in the sides with my sewing machine, you know, if i can get the guts to do it.
Stunning Lolly.
Amy
The sweater is lovely!
If you want to stop the neck opening from sticking out, you could try sewing a fine elastic tread VERY loosely with kitchener stitch along the inside of the opening. That would draw it just a tiny bit together.
The Icelandic sweaters you are planing should be fast knits, especially Héla. That one is very popular here in Iceland by the way.
It’s so pretty! I love the colours on you!
The leaves are changing colours here in Nova Scotia and it is so beautiful. It’s getting quite cold too! (right now my fingers are freezing, so I’m typing fast to try and warm them up! I don’t want to turn on the heat until I ABSOLUTELY have to!)
Its so hard sometimes to decided on a size, but it looks great on you.
So pretty! It looks great — well worth the color work effort.
Loly, its fab! I love the colour combination and it looks great on.