As I work on the sweater that Susan and I are designing together, I started thinking about some of my past designs. I believe that this sweater, named Rennes after the French city I lived in briefly while in college, is the first sweater I designed from scratch.
As you can see, it has a square neck, bold cables, and a shoulder strap. The shoulder strap is a traditional one, and was the inspiration for this design. With a traditional shoulder strap, the front and backs of the sweater are joined together as you continue the sleeve up the strap. (You knit the shoulder strap together with stitches from the front and the back.) The technical challenge is to get the number of stitches right (through planning, decreases, and luck) so that the shoulder drapes correctly and doesn’t balloon or pull. Here is a close up of the shoulder:
Although in the photograph the lines of stitches going between the sleeve and the shoulder strap don’t look straight, that’s because of my poor photography. The lines are straight, especially when the sweater is on.
Here is a more detailed view of the neck and sleeve:
I’m very fond of this sweater. It brings back memories — not only of Rennes but of knitting it while Susan and I traveled in London.
Sigh.
From Susan — this sweater, though sized for Sally, ALMOST fits me — I did wear it to work once — and it is a joy to wear. It is another example of designing a sweater and then having the yarn go out of production. It makes it difficult to present to publishers, unless you knit another 🙁
PS — show us the gold one — the one that has the matching v-neck, front and back 🙂
Comment by surly — August 18, 2006 @ 3:01 pm
Fond of that sweater? Good heavens, it’s FABULOUS. All the way from the gorgeous cables, braided edges to the color.
I want to see the gold one….pretty please?
Comment by Carrie K — August 18, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
Gosh, talent and creativity obviously runs in your family! It’s lovely.
Comment by Marina — August 20, 2006 @ 6:48 am
the first sweater you designed from scratch?! goodness!!!!
i keep your blog in my bloglines to see all the amazing technical stitchery you two ladies produce, and let me just say … it’s my pleasure.
wow! each time,
wow! wow again!
a woman came into my LYS last week to show off her sunrise circle jacket. it was very nice, though i noticed the little bagginess behind the neck between the shoulders … i remembered, “well, the rainey sisters did this …..”.
when i get around to knitting that jacket, i will have to read your notes again 🙂
thanks for all the pictures and sharing!
Comment by gray la gran — August 20, 2006 @ 6:48 pm