sock porn for knitting voyeurs.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Cable and Rib Sweater with Hood, finished

Cable and Rib Sweater with Hood, finished
from Debbie Bliss' Baby Knits Book
1 year old width, 2 year old length
Started: February 11, 2006
Finished (knitting): February 26, 2006 (before the flame went out!)
Finished seaming/blocking: March 14, 2006
Knit Picks Merino Style, Dusk -- 7 skeins
Addi US 5 & 6
6 sts= 1" in stst, 7st= 1" in patt (gauge matched for pattern) *blocked* -- the Merino Style visibly changed gauge both in stst and patt once blocked!







Finally! :)

I'm a little ashamed looking at the span of time between the knitting and seaming completion, especially since I love this sweater and he could have been wearing it an extra month :) Oh well. I did have to take apart the seams I did for the arms, they were off (haste in trying to get the finishing done for the KOlympics), but honestly with a steady hand and a long baby nap, the seaming was done in far less time than I thought it would take and I'm thrilled that it was easier the 2nd time around. Makes me feel a bit more ready to seam up Starsky when its finished (no more in progress photos today, doesn't look like much progress!)

The Knit Picks Merino Style knit up at the exact gauge and ended up the same measurements as specified in the pattern (that originally called for Debbie Bliss double knitting cotton). I used 7 skeins-- had a bit left over, but it was definitely 7 skeins. At 2.29/@, thats an $16 sweater. Rad. (And I'm a bit shamefaced that the sweater cost less than many pairs of socks and sock yarn I have stashed...!) The pattern called for 10 skeins for the 1 year and 11 skeins for the 2 year size, I bought 11 so I have an extra 4 skeins leftover... a scarf for next winter? Or maybe a toddler vest.

I will say the Merino Style is noticably pilling, especially in high wear areas (with a toddler though, everything is high wear!)-- under the arms and across the belly (where seatbelts/stroller belts etc. fit). You can see pics above. I'm not upset though, I need to buy a sweater shaver, and like I said-- toddlers are a bit "high wear" and merino being short staple... and it was 2.29/@!! :)

I used the kookaburra woolwash when I blocked the sweater, and I really like the scent. That said, I still haven't gotten around to handwashing any socks... I did have a blue tinted sinkful of water when I was blocking with the kookaburra, but it rinsed clear. Not sure if this would have happened without the kookaburra, but I don't think it'll bleed in the next wash. It did get very soft; blocking is totally necessary for establishing gauge with the Merino Style and to get a nice feel to the fabric.

I knit the 1 year chest width (24.75") and the 2 year old length (14.5")... other than that the pattern is exactly as written. It was a fun knit, something that didn't take a lot of concentration once I was in the zone but looks impressive once done. My little one loves the hood, though its more of an exercise in pulling it down over his head as far as it'll go... its warm and will service us for a few more chilly months :)

Yay!

I also finished one Shell Sock and started another.





I love the colorway!!

In other knitting stash accumulation news...

Little Knits sent me these beauties...


Schaefer Anne 10pb -- pearl buck


Schaefer Anne 18af -- clara barton

Schaefer Anne... 60% merino superwash, 25% mohair, 15% nylon. 4 oz/560yd. Sue's pics at Little Knits are truer to color than mine are.

I'll tell you a secret-- I usually don't buy more than one colorway of the same yarn, just don't see the point. But when the "pearl buck" arrived yesterday, I ordered another-- along with another skein of Anne. This is beautiful yarn, and the yardage! (I also noted that Lisa Souza's new Sock! Merino is the same size, 560 yd/4 oz-- so I'm definitely going to check her out at the Knit and Crochet Show in Oakland... my Shell Socks above are in her wool/nylon yarn.)

I'm planning the Dalarna stockings from Knitting on the Road for the red, and I'm planning to let the blue/orange/grey live on my desk and write me epic poetry.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, that sweater (and its wearer) might be the cutest thing I've ever seen. Also, great colorway for the socks.

lexa said...

Gorgeous sweater, gorgeous lil 'un! Don't cables look different once blocked! I love cables.

I'm making my three-year-old a hooded jacket right now that only has two cables on it and four "twists". I'll be glad when it's done - I am not enjoying this at all. Mostly the yarn, I think. I am making the 5-6 instead of 3-4 because he is tall and long in the torso. Figured he wouldn't get enough wear from 3-4 size.

Looking forward to seeing more pics of Starsky progress!

Anonymous said...

Oh so cute the little one in his new sweater. I am seriously thinking of knitting this again in a 2-year size for next winter.

Rain said...

He looks lovely in it. The colour is really good on him.

Anonymous said...

Great job on the sweater! It looks absolutely smashing on the little guy!

Anonymous said...

Sweater looks so cute on him!

Jerry & Maxy said...

The sweater is glorious - your little peanut is precious. The socks and the new yarns are oh so pretty.

Knittypants said...

The sweater is so cute, although the little one is so darling that he would make a snotty t-shirt look adorable! I love the color and thanks for the review of the knitpicks merino.

Kookaburra said...

That blue sweater is beautiful! GREAT job!

And thanks for using Kookaburra Wash. :)

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