Peasy [pee-zee]; noun: otherwise synonymous with most perfect cardigan EVER
Despite finishing this cardigan a little while ago, I've been holding off blogging about the final piece for a while, to live with the finished cardigan for a bit before putting down my thoughts on it here.
It's safe to say, I love it. This cardigan has already seen more wear than any other of my handknits, which is testament to a few elements, I think - mostly around the planning and preparation!
First, I swatched. Yes, I know, novel. We all know we are supposed to swatch but reality is, if we're being honest, a lot of times we all don't. I've been making far more effort to swatch (and wash, and block the swatches) when knitting adult garments, and the final fit of my handknits has definitely shown the benefit of this practice.
I also took a little more care making sure I got the length of the body and the sleeves exactly the dimensions I wanted. 7/8th's sleeves and a hem length that *just* skims passed my jeans waistband. Covers the kidneys, and all that. I've been wearing it over cotton dresses, and jeans (as seen above), as well as with lightweight long-sleeve tops, skirts and leggings On a side note, it's been nice to transition to boots too! Lots of stomping through damp Autumn foliage and dewy grass on my daily walks. Leather workboots are just the most practical footwear I can imagine, really.
I planned this to be a transitional cardigan, something lightweight enough for Autumn, but still warm enough to keep out the chills as we settle into the cooler weather, so I spent time making sure my yarn/pattern/colour choices married up with this brief, and I definitely think it's been a good choice on all three accounts.
To recap, the yarn is Rowan Felted Tweed DK, in Seasalter, and the pattern is Peasy, by Heidi Kirrmaeir. I made the M (38") size, which gave me a good amount of negative ease. The alpaca/wool blend of the Felted Tweed is a delight to both knit and wear, and I'm looking forward to using it again very soon.
So that's it. The first of the Year of Sweaters is done. Here's hoping the next three garments in this series are as much of a success!
It's raining in Melbourne today. Not pouring; more drizzle, but constant. This week past I have really felt the transition of the seasons, and it's felt exciting and fresh. I am so ready for Autumn; for the mild sunshine and crisp afternoons, the necessity of a light cardigan whenever heading out of the house just in case, and toasty warm hand-knitted socks for snugging on the couch of an evening.
It seems the perfect season for me as I also transition, from full-time, big institution type employment into something more gentle, somewhere I feel I'm a person, not just a small cog within a huge machine. So far I am loving being surrounded by wool all the working day, talking to people about their projects, their inspirations, and planning - oh, the planning! Before I can feasibly think of adding more ideas to my list, I need to concentrate on my current ideas, though.
My Autumn cardigan - Peasy - is done bar the blocking and buttons. Once I got onto the body, it zoom-zoomed along and Monday night I found myself casting off. Most excitingly, it fits really well.
I have been very gentle with the blocking, as the yarn is Rowan Felted Tweed, and I don't want the alpaca content to grow too much. I love the pattern - Heidi Kirramaier writes beautiful patterns, but it's the colour that is the most amazing part of this garment. Such a perfect indigo hue. I can't wait for it to hurry up and dry so I can wear it!
With the completion of Peasy, it was also time to start on my next sweater for my 2014 sweater project. For Winter, I chose Miette using Cascade 220 Worsted in "Yakima Heather". I even managed to find buttons in my stash.
I'm hoping that a worsted weight sweater on 5mm needles will go fast, because I'm feeling the need for some smaller projects at the moment! April feels like the season for beanie knitting, and maybe some socks? We will see...
On the subject of completing current lists, I've also been making a concentrated effort to finish my second Ferris Wheel cardigan. This is the larger one, for my 10yo niece. I used Bendigo Woollen Mills 8ply Cotton which has a beautiful soft touch, but as always, my tension is *crap* when knitting cotton. I'm hoping a good block will help those tram tracks settle...
It's a lovely soft grey and I've only got the sleeves and the front bands to go now. I've always loved making things for these girls, but I'll be honest - I don't think I'll ever attempt back-to-back projects of the same pattern again!
I tried knitting them simultaneously for a while, but as soon as the smaller one was done, I just could not make myself pick up this one straight after. My hands and mind were craving different stitches, different textures. Luckily this pattern is kind of an all-seasons one, and will be great for layering. I've given myself an unofficial deadline of Easter to get this finished, because I'd dearly love to give them to them soon.
(and maybe start those socks!!)
In the flurry of finishing show entries, and getting sidetracked by other projects, you might be forgiven for thinking I'd forgotten about my 2014 project - to knit four sweaters in 2014 that reflect upon the seasons in some way.
Not so!
Peasy was the pick for Autumn, using the ever-lovely Rowan Felted Tweed in "Seasalter".
Back on February 1st, I swatched (I repeat, I SWATCHED!!) and got spot-on gauge using my 3.75mm Addi Turbos but sadly that's where progress lay for another month.
However, as soon as the Red Hill Show entries were done, I turned my complete attention over to this project and it's ticking away nicely. Not without it's own hiccups, as seems to be my constant knitting woe for 2014, but nonetheless; ticking along.
I've worked the yoke increases and lace panels that, despite being simple and sweet, caused me much angst and cause for doubt. I do have a habit of over thinking pattern instructions, and this was no exception. I got stuck for sometime on what the pattern was wanting me to do regarding the yoke increases, until finally I trusted my own judgement and went with my gut. Thankfully that was the right thing! I've noticed a few other people have mentioned confusion at this section of the pattern, so that also makes me feel a tad better too. The lace was just pure mis-reading on my behalf. I have no explanations anymore as to why I seem to have lost the abilty to read simple lace instructions. We will just have to accept it as what it is and hope the tide washes over me at some point!
Woes aside, I'm completely enjoying this cardigan and yarn combination. I think Felted Tweed might just be my favourite sweater yarn, and the "Seasalter" colour is just a delight. Not as dark as navy, but not so bright as to be considered cobalt - it has a lovely inkiness and depth. It does remind me of the salty deep blue sea, way out in the open water...I can't wait to snuggle up in the cardigan as the weather starts to cool.
Another thing that is pleasing me about this project is a particular feature of the pattern. It's certainly not anything revolutionary, and I'm sure 1000 people have done this all off their own back, but I had a lightbulb moment when the pattern reached the division of arms from body, and politely requested that I knit THE SLEEVES FIRST. The sleeves first! Of course, why did I never think of that before?!
No-one (that I know of, anyways) likes finally getting to the end of the body of a top-down cardigan after all that slog (usually in stocking stitch), only to then have to face knitting not one but TWO sleeves before calling the project done.
I do believe I will make all the cardigan and jumpers this way, for evermore.
And as it turns out, it's lucky I'm such a Rowan fan, because I am very pleased to announce that I am now the newest staff member of Sunspun! I'm so happy to be joining this incredibly awesome team of talented women, and to be back working in an inspiring, creative environment.
If you've been following the Sunspun blog recently, you will have seen that we are in the process of some renovations, some refreshing of stock, and lots more exciting plans. If you're in the area, do come and check it out - I'd love to see you and hear what you all think!
**edited to add**
Oh, I forgot - I had a good result from the Red Hill Show too!
A first, a second, and two thirds. 4 society ribbons and $5 prize money for the First.
Well pleased with that. The $5 became yummy chocolate for my fella & I; the society ribbons are in the Box of Special things. I resisted pinning them to my shirt.
