Susan and I seem to have a gray and yellow thing going on. I finally — after a long hiatus — just finished my Breathing Space by Veera Välimäki which I’ve affectionately nicknamed Killer Bee. I knit it out of Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply in a dark gray called Pewter and Madelinetosh Pashmina in Candlewick.
The Candlewick was a Christmas gift from my son and so I only had one skein. It wasn’t enough; I did have to find another one. The second skein was brighter and less ochre. I preferred the darker skein but what do you do? You can see the brighter yellow near the hem and on the lower part of the sleeves.
The two yarns were somewhat of a mismatch. The Miss Babs is thinner with a springy, tight twist. I hated how the sweater looked while I was knitting it — loose, sloppy. A disaster! I should have used two more similar yarns but once I got to a certain place I didn’t want to start over. And never have I had so much trouble picking up sleeve stitches. I was so discouraged that I threw it in a corner and ignored it for months.
I drove myself crazy trying to eliminate the jogs caused by the stripes (which is complicated by the short rows being done at the same time). I tried many methods and wasn’t completely sold on any of them. In a burst of frustration, I split the sleeves and knit them flat. It’s the only way I made myself finish knitting this.
I’m so glad I made myself finish it, however. Now I wonder why I was so unhappy!
It fits perfectly and once blocked, the fabric has a lovely drape. It is very wearable. My husband LOVES it. He’s rarely so enthusiastic about something I’ve knit unless it’s for him. Not the best photos. It looks cuter on but I have no way to get a photo so you’ll have to use your imaginations.
I think it looks incredible! Great job!
Comment by Kay — January 31, 2017 @ 2:24 pm
What a gorgeous sweater! I love the colors! I’m glad that your worries during knitting of it have disappeared now it’s blocked. I hate picking up sleeve stitches, and often find myself doing the same thing — casting projects aside and waiting months to finish, because of sleeves!
Comment by Katherine — January 31, 2017 @ 6:47 pm
Beautiful sweater, Sally! My take away is we need to tell ourselves to be more patient and trust our skills! You got it done and it looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Kathy W. — January 31, 2017 @ 10:39 pm
Another amazing sweater!
Glad you finished it and we could see it.
Comment by LisaRR — January 31, 2017 @ 11:11 pm
Great sweater. It’s so fun when your sweater is just a great piece of clothing, beyond the good knitting!
Comment by Pam — February 1, 2017 @ 3:24 am
A Rainey sister discouraged and frustrated by her knitting?? Now I – a mere knitting mortal – can go on with that garter-stitch-the-round-with-no-tricky-bits project that is lying in a heap…somewhere. Chloe
Comment by Chloe — February 1, 2017 @ 8:48 am
Meant to add: I’m with your husband. Adore this sweater. Chloe
Comment by Chloe — February 1, 2017 @ 8:51 am
Killer Bee! Great name for this handsome sweater.
Comment by Gretchen (aka stashdragon) — February 1, 2017 @ 12:35 pm
Gorgeous!!!! I want one! Another project to put on my list…
Comment by nadine L. — February 2, 2017 @ 10:12 am