…I am still trying to figure out how I pulled this one off…

Cherie Pullover
Pattern: "Cherie" from Vintage Knits (Rowan)
Designer: Kim Hargreaves
Yarn: Dale of Norway Sisik in Red
Needles: Size US 5 and 6
Started: October 31st / Finished: November 29th
More "Cherie" photos here!

Working my fingers to the bone – Two sweaters this month! Of course, it was only because of my vacation and my time off from work and school for the holiday that I was able to accomplish such a feat… in a usual month, I can barely finish the cuff of one sock!  Maybe the pressure of three knitalongs was the impetus I needed.  I joined NaKniSweMo, Red Sweater, and Tweeding Along, and Cherie qualifies for all three!

Cherie was a wonderful knit, probably because I am head over heels for this yarn. The pattern was a little wonky in some places, so I modified the sleeves, the neckline, and the back of the sweater to get a better fit. I was a little neurotic about trying it on in the process as well, so I made changes as I went along row-by-row. If you are interested in making Cherie at some point, and want to chat about my mods, feel free to email me, and I will do my best to help.

The sweater is a basic raglan pattern, with picked up stitches for a simple collar neckline. I liked the addition in the original of the three buttons, but in the end, I decided to leave them off of my version. This sweater can easily be dressed up with a skirt or some nice pants, but is also a great casual sweater – perfect with jeans. I love the versatility.  It was not until I finished the sweater that I noticed its striking resemblance to the Hourglass sweater (now departed from my wardrobe!).  The main difference is in the finishing – Hourglass has sewed hem, while Cherie has ribbing.  Hourglass is also knit in the round. I was planning to knit another Hourglass with some stash yarn… there can never be too many of this classic shape! 

The yarn, Dale of Norway Sisik, is an amazing blend of wool, mohair, silk, and viscose, and I could sing its praises for quite a while… the colors are beautiful, it is soft, yet sturdy, and has the great tweedy flecks.  It has a nice even gauge – a DK or a light worsted weight.  Unfortunately, Dale discontinued the yarn last year, but there are still remnants floating around the internet.  I stashed up when I got wind of the discontinue, but I am thinking about buying one more lot…  I used the Aubergine colorway for my Balmoral cardigan last year (I am planning to rip this one…) and I am currently using the navy for Kris's long-suffering Durrow sweater.  (He has been dropping serious hints about this one… better get working on it!)

The book, Vintage Knits, is a reprint of a Rowan edition called Vintage Style.  The book includes many beautiful patterns reminiscent of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.  Three other sweater from the book are on my to-knit list.  If you don't already own it, and you like classic styles, this book is definitely for you (add it to your holiday gift list!)

To celebrate the sweater bind off (and to get some exercise after sitting on the couch seaming all morning!) Kris and I took the girls to the lake for a nice walk.  The temperatures took a moderate turn this week – although I am thinking about snow already! – and the Cherie was all I needed to keep warm.

Jen moved to quickly out of the frame – but you can see her white tail a-swishin'.  I actually managed to get Bella to sit still for a moment too! 

~Now for some holiday crafts~

My Cherie sweater went to California with me for vacation.  She was my constant companion as we traveled around in the rental car. A few rows here and there (between the wine tastings!), and before I knew it, I was done with the back and the front. I have since started the first sleeve.

The few bloggers that have made this sweater have reported some problems with the measurements: both in the neckline, and in the sleeves. Being that the neckline was the thing that attracted me to this sweater initially, I wanted to try to keep that in tact.

The finished Cheries that I have seen are wonderful – but they turned out more like mock turtlenecks, and I want that sleek boatneck look. So, I did not decrease the front and back as much as stated in the pattern, and I am also changing the measurements in the sleeves, following the numbers for another one of the patterns in the book, Vintage Knits .

I hope the math works out and this sweater is what I am hoping for!

The yarn continues to be a joy, and a really nice substitute for the Rowan yarn. In fact, it may even be nicer… I daresay! (It is Dale of Norway Sisik, in case you forgot) :)

If you recall, Cherie is a three-in-one knitalong submission: for the Red Sweater knitalong, Tweeding Along, and National Knit a Sweater Month (NaKniSweMo). With the holiday this week, I am hoping for some nice knitting time… we'll see if I can wrap this sweater up by the end of the month!

I made some real knitting progress on the plane while watching ridiculous in-flight movies starring Will Ferrell.  I laughed so hard I nearly dropped a stitch!

On the five and a half hour flight from Baltimore to San Francisco, I completed sleeve one of the Kolsva cowl pullover.  I am thrilled with the way this Noro Kochoran (#17) is knitting up. The sweater is actually knit up in reverse stockinette, so the right (wrong) side is displayed. 

Forgive the poorly-lit-hotel-room photograph. 
It does not do the yarn justice!

Cherie has also seen some action, mainly on my bus ride down to Monterey on Friday, and on the train rides around San Francisco.  I am about 8 inches into the body, with about 6 more before the arm hole decreases. 

In an absolute lapse – one that I can only blame on excitement! – I walked right out of the hotel room without my camera when I was heading to the city with Leslie for some brunch and yarn shopping.  However, Leslie in her brilliance, suggested I pick up a disposable camera at the nearby convenience store.  I did just that and captured some good (hopefully!) pictures of the yarn shop, our time together, and some surrounding my museum visit yesterday afternoon. 

So, a full report, with pictures, will hopefully follow.  I can tell you that Leslie is amazing, and so kind.  We had a very nice time talking and browsing the yarn shop.  If we are lucky, she may just start her own blog so we can keep up with her lovely knitting! (She is currently working on a Trekking XXL sock in colorway 109, and it is so nice!)   Thank you so much, Leslie, for the wonderful day!!

Kris and I are leaving for Napa Valley today, with a small detour to Muir Woods for some hiking.  I am not sure what kind of internet access we will have in Napa, so another post may not come until Friday or Saturday, when I return to Maryland. 

Best wishes!

Kris and will be leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for California, and right now, I am determining what knits to take with me. I have completed the back of Cherie, and will start on the sleeves this evening while watching the hockey game. Sleeves seem like an easy enough travel knit. I could just start on the front too…

The color in the right photo is true to life – it is a nice dark cherry red with lovely tweedy flecks and a nice shine. The yarn, Dale of Norway Sisik, is a blend of wool, mohair, silk, and viscose… so many different fibers coming together in this amazing yarn.

The knitting has been quick, as I only started this last week. This sweater is part of three knitalongs, if you recall – one of them being Shannon's National Sweater Knitting Month (NaKniSweMo) knitalong, so I need to finish this by the 30th of November. With airplane, car, bus, and train knitting on the upcoming trip, I think I can make some real progress.

In fact, I am so optimistic, I am also bringing my new Noro Kochoran. While winding it on the ball winder this afternoon, I observed the true beauty of this yarn. It is so pretty and will make a lovely sweater. Even if I do not complete the sweater for the Norovember knitalong, I can start it, and hopefully, it will go quickly on the requisite size 9 needles that the pattern calls for (the pattern is the "Kolsva" pullover from Noro Revisited collection.)

And because my life doesn't quite seem complete without some socks on the needles, the Hokusai Ribs are coming along too. They are working up so nicely in the lovely Yarn Pirate colorway!

Should I pack something else as well?

This tweed, originally purchased for this sweater, has been on my mind a lot lately… so much so that I even dreamed about it last week. I was still working on my socks, however, and needed to finish before I started anything new. However, now that the socks are off the needles (and have been worn several times since!), I was ready to start working with this beautiful yarn. I discovered that this Dalegarn Sisik is a dead-on gauge match for several of the tweedy Rowan yarns, so it was the perfect substitute for one of the patterns that I have admired many times…

'Tis Cherie from the beautiful book, Vintage Knits, originally published by Rowan as Vintage Style in 2004.

This particular pattern, like many in the book, was designed by Kim Hargreaves. The neckline is my favorite part – boatneck with the little buttons! There are only a few finished "Cheries" that I have seen on the Web, and they mentioned that some tweaking was necessary in the neckline and the sleeves… so I hope it doesn't require too much to get the right fit. I want that neckline!

However, I am already thinking about what pants, skirts and handknit socks will match this pullover… so, as you can see, it is my destiny to knit this sweater.

On Halloween night, while on trick-or-treat door duty, I cast on for Cherie… and I made some real progress! It has to be the yarn. It just flows through my fingers so well, and I am in love with this color.

Back ribbing complete, and 1.5 inches into the stockinette body.

Cherie will also qualify for three knitalongs that I am currently participating in: Tweeding Along, and the Red Sweater KAL, and NaNoSweMo.

This is going to be good… I have that feeling!