I've taken ages to post about this. I finished in March. It's been hard to find a time when me, a charged camera battery, a photographer and light have all be in the same place, but it's also because I haven't entirely decided whether to give it a thumbs up or down.
Its Demi, from Rowan Vintage Style made in Cash Iroha bought half-price in the John Lewis sale. All details in the ravelry page. I'd been wanting to make demi for years. Faced with a sweater's worth of aran weight yarn after the sale, I was desperate to demi-it.
I checked through ravelry for other FOs in the yarn, and again and again the same line came up "Oh, Cash Iroha, how you do grow!" I knew demi shouldn't be loose, so I asked around and was told it didn't grow that much. And I was good. Not only did I swatch properly, but I washed and seriously blocked it before taking stitch and row measurements. I went down several needle sizes and it all seemed to be on track. But, you can guess. It grew.
The pattern does work as a baggy jumper. The side-shaping and twisted rib keep the looseness of the yarn in check, meaning its still reasonably comfortable and (relatively) flattering. Most people seem to use the hourglass sweater patten with Cash Iroha for the same reason. Still, it's not the image I had of the pattern in my mind. Demi is a tight, fitted and nipped in smart garment, not a big softy-sack. And you have to remember that I've had that image in my head for years.
In conclusion, it's a thumbs up of an FO. But my craving for a demi is not sated. Next autumn I'll make another one in a more conventional yarn. It'll be re-gauged to dk, and as a top-down raglan. Because life's too short for all those back-to-front purls on the WS of the twisted rib, and I think the shoulder button detail will look cute on the raglan angle.
In the meantime, I'm looking for a stitch pattern with virtually no stretch. Any ideas?
18 comments:
Having just finished and blogged about a pattern and yarn (Silky Wool) that grew, despite my best efforts, from a fitted vest to a roomy one, I feel your pain. But the sweater is gorgeous - I love the stitch detail, and the colour. I agree about life being too short for the twisted stitch on the WS!
so cute! I love that color. Normally any bump/bobble anything really irritates me but this is amazing. Wonderful job!
So cute! I don't usually like bobbles but they work great on that pattern. Although I am not sure I would make it for myself it looks great on you.
I think it looks great! And done at a tighter gauge, it will look like a totally different sweater, so I say go for a second one. (plus you'll have the added bonus of knowing your way around the pattern).
tight stitch patterns: look for linen stitch, honeycomb, herringbone, etc. the stitch pattern from my so-called-scarf is a good one. Anything with a slipped stitch should keep things snug.
I think it's pretty, especially the colour, although I do know what you mean when you have a picture in your head. As for a stitch pattern that doesn't stretch - herringbone stitch? Linen stitch?
Lovely sweater! The recommendations already given are good ones, and there's another stitch from one of the Barbara Walker treasuries you might check out. It's called Twice-Turned Check, and I think it's from book #2, but I'm not totally sure.
I think it's still lovely, especially the color on you. But I hear you about yarns that grow when you don't want them to - that's always a bummer. Knitting this in a nice springy wool next year will provide you with another gorgeous sweater.
It is still stunning.
it IS really stunning. i love the color... but i really love this idea of making it a top-down raglan. be sure to post back here on how you did it all!
I hate it when that happens! But it does still look fab.
it is beautiful! what an amazing purple color!!!! i think it works well with a little ease to it...
How disappointing that it didn't turn out the way you hoped. It seemed so promising...the color is fantastic, by the way.
Lovely sweater! I know what you mean about it not fitting your vision of it though... I hate it when that happens :(
Be sure to show us all the details when you turn it into a top down raglan!
It is definitely a thumbs up! way up! very nice sweater, and lovely yarn color too. i have thought about this one on and off for years.
It actually doesn't look sack-like in the photos, and the color looks great on you. Also: congrats for sticking with those WS purls. I think the end result was worth it.
I've been eyeing this one for ages, too, trying to decide if it's too much for me. The buttons on the shoulder have me nearly sold.
It's beautiful! Wear it often!!!
I fully tie in with everything you have printed.
It can't really have effect, I believe this way.
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