So now that I am all done spinning all that green fiber, I sat down to finish some projects I had been half way through. I had started Reid before the move. It was a quick knit, but the lace pattern was very fiddly.
I used this yarn. It is Berry Pickin’ in Merino from Spunky Eclectic. I spun up this single back in March. I used just a little over 4 oz to make the sweater.
And this is how the sweater looked after it was all finished and blocked.
I am glad that I checked Ravelry before I started. Just about every version of this sweater had notes added about the sizing being wrong. And they were right! I knit this in the 2T size, guage swatch and everything. When I went to block it, there was no way it would block to the specs at the end of the pattern. I ended up just blocking it to the size that made the lace look best, I think it was close to the 6T size, and it ended up being just about the right size. The sleeves are just a little long, but they look fine when they are rolled up. The important thing is that Teeny loves it! When I put it on her I had to chase her around the house to get it back!
I also learned something very important and frustrating yesterday. The green yarn is too thin! It would be beautiful in a shawl with an all over pattern like Print of the Waves or some other traditional shawl, but not the pattern I wanted to use it with. The pattern I am using has beautiful pictures of bugs and flowers. Great garden scenes that need to have very solid areas to contrast the open areas.
I tried using US 0 needles, the pattern was too small to see. I tried US 3 and 4, the pattern dissapeared in all the loose stitches. I was so frustrated! I had been planning this shawl as my county fair entry for next year (ours is in April) and I was so disapointed that it wasn’t working! Then, late last night it hit me. Hold two strands together! I thought for a second about spinning the two yarns together in a cable, but I didn’t know how that would change the texture of the yarn, and I was sick and tired of spinning this yarn. I wanted to START! I am just about to the 4th increase row and so far it is stunning with two strands. I am a super happy camper!
August 15, 2007 at 2:56 pm
holy smokes – that is just stunning – and your green yarn? Beautiful as well – can’t wait to see your finished shawl!
August 16, 2007 at 9:19 am
I absolutely love that sweater!!! Can not wait to see how your shawl looks with the double strand!
August 16, 2007 at 10:45 am
The sweater is lovely, and it’s always great when the recipient likes it, too.
August 16, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Your singles and the finished sweater are so beautiful. Good luck with your shawl!
August 21, 2007 at 5:03 pm
The sweater and its yarn are gorgeous – the color looks edible. Spunky Amy does it again!
I remember when I knit Flower Basket Shawl, and the pattern called for two strands held together. I was dubious, but it worked well, and you don’t see two strands when you look at the finished shawl. Yours will be fabulous!
March 10, 2008 at 12:47 pm
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