…imitation!!
Sally just shared her beautiful Vitamin D so I thought I would also share mine. “Imitation” is defined loosely: we used the same pattern – Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier – and the same type of yarn – Madelinetosh Merino Light – but the results are very different.
My “D” is striped and long and has long sleeves. Some of you may recall that I bought some MadTosh at Yarnover:
The colors are Worn Denim and Grove. I loved the Worn Denim and tried to find 4 skeins so I could knit a Vitamin D – alas, they only had three so I opted for the skeins shown, thinking I might make a 2-color shawl or something.
I found more Worn Denim on Webs, so I ordered 4 and asked them to match them as closely as possible. The color was NOTHING like the Worn Denim I already had — nothing. It was much lighter, more variegated and had beige and green tones in it. I loved it, but it was not the dark denim I expected. Three of the skeins matched really well and the 4th was too light and much more beige.
I knew I needed at least 4 skeins to make it the way I wanted. I first tried alternating the lighter skein with one of the “medium” skeins. It looked very striped. So. I decided to start knitting with the three matching medium skeins and hope for inspiration.
Stripes kind of stuck with me, but I did not want it to look unplanned — or like I had run out of yarn and threw in stripes out of desperation (we’ve all been there)! I decided the darkest skein would look nice striped with the lighter shade. But the green made it all “pop,” so I ultimately used all of the variations.
The top strip in the picture is actually the body color — the ‘medium’ Worn Denim shade. Then comes Grove (the green stripe). Next is the dark Worn Denim — I then used the lightest skein (the oddball) so that the contrast would be the greatest.
I also opted to twist my yarnover increases in the bottom section because I thought there would be way too much going on with the holes every which way in the striping. I haven’t truly blocked it yet either, but I may not bother. A light steaming is all I did and that may be enough.
All told I used 4.5 skeins = 1890 yards! A lot of knitting. But really worth it. This one I will wear all the time!!
Grade
Pattern: A+
Yarn: has to be reduced for aggravation!! B+
Fit: A+
Utility: A+
Overall: A+
Addendum — I am watching the Big O-Games opening program and enjoying it immensely…great knitting backdrop!
Vitamin D has been in my queue forever. After seeing both yours and Sally’s, it is definitely jumping up in the queue. But first Summer Solstice for my Olympic knitting project.
Hope the arm is doing better?!
Comment by Penny — July 27, 2012 @ 9:51 pm
I love both of your Vitamin D’s. I knit it myself this spring out of a beautiful self striping merino silk blend from Cherry Tree Hill. I was delighted with the result. The pattern avoided all the pooling I fear with such yarns and the sweater is soft, cozy and stylish. I’ll knit almost anything Heidi K designs. I’ve done Peasy and Harvest Moon and Vitamin D and plan to do Summer Solstice soon. She is such a talented designer.
Comment by MarcyW — July 27, 2012 @ 10:01 pm
Both your “D”‘s are terrific. This pattern tempts me.
Comment by Pam — July 28, 2012 @ 1:42 am
Very attractive! I can’t believe that those two colors were supposed to be the same color. But the stripes are very nice indeed.
Comment by Joanna — July 28, 2012 @ 2:21 am
I love your vitamin d! The stripes make me like the pattern much more.
Comment by Nestra — July 28, 2012 @ 7:26 am
This is a great example of a problem being turned to an asset. The stripe, and the sweater, look great!
Comment by twinsetellen — July 28, 2012 @ 8:41 am
I LOVE the stripes – lemons into lemonade! Thanks so much for modeling this – I’ve had my eye on this forever, but have been hesitant to cast on for fear of a too loose, baggy looking garment. Thanks so much for sharing – Vitamin D is definitely my next project – and thanks to you I’ll be looking at stripes, also!
Comment by Maureen — July 28, 2012 @ 10:23 am
Love it! This pattern has been in my queue for long time. Your version really makes it pop so that I have to look at it once again.
Comment by Beverly — July 28, 2012 @ 10:53 am
What a clever solution to the color mismatch problem! The cardi looks really wearable.
Comment by technikat — July 28, 2012 @ 1:51 pm
wonderful job with the yarn……..the stripes really do look good!! you got lemons and made a pitcher of margarita’s! WOOT!
Comment by Sue J — July 28, 2012 @ 2:04 pm
I LOVE the stripes. Adding the Grove was genius, just enough of a pleasing distraction/highlight that I, at first glance, didn’t even notice the variance of the blues. I wouldn’t have thought of that! I need to remember that idea as I love Madeline Tosh, and have been lucky so far with matching skeins, but there is always a next time! As with everything you make, it is gorgeous and inspirational. I really hadn’t considered making this until I now see it on you. Thanks for modeling once again.
Comment by p — July 28, 2012 @ 5:52 pm
Terrific! I’m so lazy I’d rather not alternate skeins if I can, and what a neato-keeno solution you’ve come up with.
Comment by Susan — July 30, 2012 @ 8:13 am
I usually like anything you both knit, but I really love both versions of VitaminD.
Comment by Janetcc — August 1, 2012 @ 11:21 am