Froggy Knits

September 10, 2004

My favorite comfy sweater... and them some

Even though this is not a recent knit, I have decided to post specs for the sweater that I was wearing in the last post. This is definitely my favorite sweater so far and definitely the one that I have worn the most. It is so oversized and comfy that it replaces my usual hooded sweatshirts (my weekend uniform) from time to time. I want to knit another one before I wear holes in this one, but the entire knit is seed stitch and I don't have fond memories of the agony my wrist suffered while knitting this one. However, this was one of my first sweaters when I was still knitting super tight and American. Now that I knit continental and super loose (odd), I may give it another go.

click to enlarge photo
Project Specs:
Pattern: Seed Stitch Sweater from Rebecca Mag #13
(also featured in Interweave Knits magazine insert Fall 2002)
Suggested/Used Yarn: GGH Via Mala (pistachio #9)

Knitting Notes: Next time I will not knit on straights (what was I thinking, ouch!) This green beast was heavy, but there is definitely another one coming soon. I have some rust orange Via Mala in my stash. Hmmm.....

Made a little progress on the Everyday Cardigan sleeve, but following the pattern and even with gauge the sleeve opening is way too tight.

So you know where this is going . Now why exactly didn't I notice this earlier? DUH! I don't know what's up with this Manos. I have been trying to use this yarn for over a year. First on the Rebecca Seed Stitch Sweater, then on the minisweater and now even the Everyday Cardigan isn't working out for me. What's up with this yarn? I guess its time for the "it's not me, it's YOU conversation" with the Manos (or is that the other way around, lol!). I'll have to find a pattern the Manos likes.

So then I took a little break from knitting and browsed through the new Lucky mag and am very intrigued by one of the new trends...Brooches.

I am really lovin' the vintage items that are popping up in mags right now. Don't know if I could pull off the look, but I have to find a must-have brooch to wear. Seems odd to just pop in the mall and pick one out at the jewelry counter though. I kinda want to find this cool brooch with a little history (or so I seems) at an estate sale or something. I also ran across this sweater in a Newport News catalog. I've never seen this catalog before. I just love this sweater. I know I have a pattern somewhere that I can modify for this one.
And now for a little Klara-update. Met up with the gang at Knit Happens and worked on a few more "swatches" as Wendy would say. I finished the sleeves.

They may be a little on the long side, but I'll have to tack them to the front and back before I know for sure.

And now to the back (or front). Without any shaping whatsoever, this has turned into the best take and go sweater. Most of the time, I don't even have the pattern with me. Thanks Wendy for letting me know how many to cast on for the back. I guess my memory is not as good as I remember, lol. Maybe I'll carry the pattern next time.


Posted by froggy at September 10, 2004 09:22 AM
Comments

That big green sweater is so very Froggy...

Posted by: claudia at September 10, 2004 10:35 AM

In 1999 I bought some Manos in #55 (olive green) and knit about 5 different sweaters with it. Nothing worked! I finally used it this year and made the Banff sweater from knitty.

The picture of the Klaralund sleeves is great. The colors are beautiful!

Posted by: Melanie at September 10, 2004 10:42 AM

I love Manos to felt totes with but can't imagine wearing it in a garment. It's just too heavy and too warm. I've seen ponchos made with it and think "man that's got to be hot".

Love your Klara. I'm thinking about knitting it in something other than silk garden (too itchy for me). However, the waif in the photo has troubled me for some time. Perhaps its how unrealistically flat chested she is (and I'm not) so I can't envision how I will look in this sweater. Have a super weekend!

Posted by: IndigoMuse at September 10, 2004 10:59 AM

I'm loving all of the green you've been working with. It's funny, when I knit continental, I knit super loose too. I wonder if it's because I'm right handed I'm just not comfotable holding anything in my left hand. You can easily remake that Newport News sweater. Gosh, you could do a top down raglan starting at the shoulders or if you don't want to do much math, you could probably use Bonne Marie's Gigi and add ribbing to it. I would probably ask her permission on tweaking her pattern though.

Posted by: sharlyn at September 10, 2004 11:49 AM

I saw that green sweater in your Ren Fest post, and I loved it. I have that Interweave Knits issue, and that sweater looks a lot better on you! I think it is a perfect sweater for a froggy girl :) Maybe I should take another look at that pattern...

Posted by: Lauren at September 10, 2004 11:57 AM

Lovely Klaralund colours! Noro is really amazing, and Klaralund is in a way like Charlotte's Web, every one is so different yet so beautiful. Looking forward to seeing yours soon.

Posted by: Siow Chin at September 10, 2004 12:33 PM

I was checking out your sweater in your last post. Very comfy indeed! AND I love your green theme. I can't wait for my yarn and book to get here. I want to start my Klara NOW. Hey, we can be Klara twins. That's the color I picked too. I'm going out of town next week, and I hope my yarn and book is here when I return.

Posted by: Lynette at September 10, 2004 03:22 PM

FYI...I just went to Newport News' website. Thanks for the tip. They do have cool sweaters.

Posted by: Lynette at September 10, 2004 03:36 PM

Sooo, your sleeves look great! Did you knit them in the round? It looks like they are already seamed up...are they? I'm starting mine tomorrow morning with the Denver group, whoo hoo! I can't wait! I finally posted a pic of my swatch, I didn't want to stop knitting because the colors are so pretty! It seems like this knitalong is going to go pretty quick. That's my kind of knitting!

Posted by: Stacey at September 10, 2004 05:09 PM

Love the colours of your Klara-sleeves - they actually form the top part of the garment, don't they? I'm sure they'll be just fine. Happy knitting!

Posted by: Anita at September 11, 2004 05:08 AM

The green sweater looks really comfy, but... seed stich!! :-( You were really patient, let me tell you!
I love the colour you picked for your Klaralund, and - WOW! You are knitting really fast! Looking forward to seeing it completed.

Posted by: Marta at September 11, 2004 05:37 AM

Loving the seed stitch sweater. It looks so great.

The brooches you posted are also lovely. I'm with you on buying an estate/vintage piece. I have one I bought at a department store because it was a last minute fashion necessity, but haven't really worn it since because it feels so impersonal. It's so much more fun to wear something with a bit of history.

Posted by: amy at September 11, 2004 12:54 PM

Hiya Froggy. Thanks for your comment in my blog! I have been admiring your knits for a while now (and that Rebecca sweater has been added to my list, boy does it look ultra-comfy).

Shame I came over to this entry though, because now I've got me a new pea coat and Newport News credit card. LOL! NN should cut you a check.

Oh, and you might want to check out GoAntiques.com...it's where I've been scooping up some pretty old brooches, and the selection is vast, since it's a network of many dealers. If you don't mind shopping for that kind of thing online, that is.

Posted by: leila at September 12, 2004 09:14 AM

I guess you just loosen up as you practice more. I've always been a combination knitter, but my first attempts in knitting resulted in very tight stitches. Thanks for sharing all those pictures.

Posted by: Pioggia at September 12, 2004 06:47 PM

Nice sweater ! I love the green especially.

Posted by: Eva Shiu at September 13, 2004 02:33 AM

why not check out ebay for some broohes?

love the seed stitch sweater--wonder where can I get that back issue of Rebecca mag?

Posted by: sandra at September 13, 2004 04:43 PM