Garland is a lovely vintage style bateau neckline with deep V back.\u00a0 It has a beaded trailing vine around the neckline, decorated with bullion knot flowers.\u00a0 I’ve been working on this sweater since last year, and it’s a lovely ‘spring’ weight jumper – warm but not too warm, too warm for summer and a little too cold for the depths of winter.<\/p>\n
Of course the weather last week turned glorious – so much for “neigh cast a clout till May be out”<\/p>\n
It is always the way isn’t it, (for me at least) that when doing a project that requires a specific amount of yarn\u00a0 the final ball goes walk about?\u00a0 I know the 5th<\/sup> ball of yarn for finishing the \u2018Garland<\/strong>\u2019 sweater is somewhere in the house, but despite my best efforts I am unable to locate it.\u00a0\u00a0 Needing to do a final 4 rows on the neck, I finally gave up turning out cupboards, boxes and bags and ordered a single ball (from LoveKnitting<\/em> as my original supplier, Black Sheep Yarns<\/em>, had run dry).\u00a0 Two days later (very quick, as I ordered on a Sunday evening and my yarn arrived Tuesday lunch) and cosseted in a very pretty little project bag with LoveKnitting ribbon my lonely little ball arrived and I got to pick up the stitches for my neckline.<\/p>\n The MIA ball will of course suddenly appear in the spoon drawer or something \u2013\u00a0 The sweater however is finished, and I\u2019m really pleased with my little silk embroidery thread bullion knot flowers (it works much better in my red than the pattern original white in my opinion)<\/p>\n I know, I know – photos to follow!<\/p>\n I know I was on gauge for the project, and I have \u2018blocked\u2019 it by the process of getting the thing sopping wet, squeezing it out (deliberately) fairly roughly and laying on the sweater dryer.\u00a0 However on wearing, the sweater thinks I am a few inches bigger than I actually am.\u00a0 Particularly in the old bosom area.\u00a0 While gratifying, it does mean I have a sweater that is too big.\u00a0 Not \u201caround the knees\u201d too big, but definitely too big.\u00a0 Not sure what to do about this to be honest.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to have to \u2018pin\u2019 the sweater to my bra straps \u2013 in the time honoured vintage way, not a big deal, but there is about 4\u201d of extra fabric in the back which I really don\u2019t know what to do with.<\/p>\n Wore the new sweater on Saturday to the Open Day at my favourite \u201clocal\u201d yarn store, Purlescence and got several compliments on it, so pleased over all for my second sweater (for me, I think this is actually the fifth sweater I have made) \u2013 the seaming is certainly a cut above my previous attempts! Next, I\u2019m hankering after a sweater done entirely in 2×2 rib \u2013 though my interest levels and my fingers aren\u2019t looking forward to the actual mechanics of having to stitch it. I have a couple of patterns in mind, and the yarn is sitting ready, so it\u2019s just a case of making the decision.<\/p>\n What else am I carrying around in my bag at the moment?<\/p>\n The continuing long commute means I have crept forwards on the Tirrold<\/strong> \u2013 but it really does feel like I have crept<\/em> forwards.\u00a0 By my calculations another 10 hours will have me at the end of the 120ish rows needed to complete the rib section but when each minute on this feels like an hour,\u00a0 it really feels like it is taking forever!<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also started work on ICE<\/strong>, a lovely summery bolero\/shrug that I am working in a dark denim blue cotton.\u00a0 Worked on HUGE 7mm needles (in comparison to the 2.75mm for the Tirrold at least) I\u2019m taking the opportunity to practice my \u2018picking\u2019 skills \u2013 using continental knit and Norwegian purl techniques.<\/p>\n So far I\u2019m not convinced by the purl stitch, I still prefer the Portuguese style of purling for speed and consistency \u2013 however I am starting to be at least competent in the Continental knit method and slowly picking up speed.\u00a0 And it’s not going to take me 10 hours to do the required 120ish rows of stockingette either.\u00a0 Making it my current ‘go to’ commuting project.<\/p>\n More on the projects I’m working on next…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Garland is a lovely vintage style bateau neckline with deep V back.\u00a0 It has a beaded trailing vine around the neckline, decorated with bullion knot flowers.\u00a0 I’ve been working on this sweater since last year, and it’s a lovely ‘spring’ … Continue reading