Susan and I often joke (I say joke but sadly we’re not kidding) that it feels as if we knit everything twice. (We always knit twice, Or so it seems . . . ) My latest sweater, Nanook, was no exception. There was nothing wrong with the pattern; it’s well written and easy to follow. I was simply unhappy with my choice of yarn partway through knitting this the first time.
The original yarn, Verdande by Spirit Trail Fiberworks, is lovely yarn. I had it (and still have it) in a beautiful blue called Midnight Rendezvous. The first problem was that the decorative increases on the back yoke of the sweater didn’t show up clearly in the dark yarn. The second problem was that there was more color variation in the yarn than I wanted for this particular project. I got fairly far (farther than shown here) and decided that I needed to start over. So I did. (I’m now looking for a good project for the Verdande which is beautiful, luscious yarn in its own right.)
My second yarn choice, which worked out perfectly, is Equus by Shalimar Yarns. The color is Sand Dollar. It’s hard to capture this color. It truly is the color of damp sand.
I didn’t make any significant modifications. In the photos of me in the sweater, the sleeves look a tad short. They’re not. I was wearing a long sleeved wool tunic under my Nanook which pulled the sleeves up a bit.
I’m happy with how it turned out, but I’m hoping I’ll only have to knit my current project once.
Your sweater is beautiful! I love the design.
Comment by Harriet — October 5, 2015 @ 2:53 pm
Very elegant!
Comment by Matthew Olson — October 5, 2015 @ 3:03 pm
I always knit a pattern many more times than one would think! Mostly , it’s due to poor knitted stitches on my part! I’m still hung up on ‘rowing out’ but I’m starting to get over it! Most blocks out I’m finding! I love Nanook and your color is gorgeous! It really shows the beautiful pattern! Can’t wait to see what you decide to do with the gorgeous blue yarn!
Comment by Kathy W. — October 5, 2015 @ 8:40 pm
I really like your final finished sweater — I also like the blue yarn, but agree the switch was right for this sweater. Thanks for doing the in-person modeling. I always appreciate seeing garments on real people.
Comment by Pam — October 6, 2015 @ 1:44 am
Lovely color! I can see why you wanted the decorative increases to show. They add a really nice touch to an otherwise plain back.
Comment by Natalie — October 6, 2015 @ 6:21 pm
Perfect! I love that it can be worn so many different ways.
Comment by Penny — October 6, 2015 @ 7:52 pm
This is just beautiful – I love all the detail – subtle in the back but makes it very special. Thanks for sharing. Now, what to do with that gorgeous blue yarn . . . Hmmmmm.
Comment by Barb R. — October 7, 2015 @ 8:49 am
Yes! My favorite mantra is “She liked it so nice, she knit it twice.” This is repeated until whatever-it-is has been knitted, frogged and knitting exactly the way it was envisioned. As the years unfold, the more persnickety I am about getting it right.
I’m knitting Carol Sunday’s Santa Fe right now. Cast on 279 sts using a Kitchener Cast On. Needle too large. Cast on 279 sts with needle three sizes smaller. Of course it takes four rows of ribbing to complete the set up for the cast on. After all that, I realized a plain simple cast on is the right one for the design.
Thankfully, since 50,000 yards of knitting has flowed through my needles, I don’t really mind knitting something twice or three times.
There are some Homer Simpson “Doh” moments, but when the finished product is just right and is worn to death it’s time well spent.
Your project is lovely and the back decreases are definitely one of the beautiful subtleties of the design.
Comment by urbanite — October 7, 2015 @ 9:20 am
I tend to shy away from light neutrals, but often they are the best for showing that type of beautiful texture and shaping. What a lovely design. I really appreciate the contrast of stockinette and garter, and a simple but striking edging. Nice choice!
Comment by Heather — October 7, 2015 @ 2:38 pm
Love the lace edging and the yarn choice. Looks so-o cozy. Hope it feels that way! (Is that i-cord bordering the front opening? So pretty.)
Comment by Chloe — October 10, 2015 @ 10:59 pm