I know. It’s been a long time since I posted. I was under a big deadline over the summer and fall and did very little knitting. Now I’m revising instead of writing so I have a bit more time for my favorite activity.
Before I post a recent project, though, I want to bid a very sad farewell to Shibui Knits. They are closing their doors — no longer selling yarn. I first encountered Shibui yarn at a store in Portland when my son was a student at Reed College. I fell in love, especially with Silk Cloud. There are many silk and mohair lace weight yarns out there, but none are as beautiful to me as Silk Cloud. The colors! The luminosity! I also loved Pebble, especially when held double. When I read the announcement that they were shutting down, I went on a panicky web search for some of their yarns. I realized it was madness. I have so much other yarn in my stash and so many projects I want to knit with other yarns. I am going to hold on to the memories. (Although some of their yarns may be on their way to my house . . . ) Goodbye Shibui! We loved you!
Back to business. One of the few sweaters I was able to complete over the past few months was Harper. Unfortunately, this pattern isn’t available on Ravelry. It’s a String Yarns pattern which you can purchase on their site. A friend of Susan’s had knit it, and that’s how I heard about it. I already had the yarn — their Dolcetto DK (merino and cashmere) in a beautiful charcoal — and wasn’t sure what to make out of it. Susan suggested Harper and I cast on.
I made a few changes. First, I lengthened it several inches. Next, I switched out the set-in sleeve for a “T-shape” shoulder. Then I picked up the sleeves and knit down. Finally, because the front splits at the hem where the cable starts, I decided to mimic that split on the sleeve at the wrist.
My photos are NOT great — combination of winter light, dark yarn, and a sweater that looks better on a person than it does on an armless mannequin. It’s simple but elegant. The yarn is wonderful — butter soft and a dream to knit with. At the price of that yarn, it should be beautiful!
I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, healthy, and happy New Year. Thank you for reading us.
PS from Susan to Pru: It’s true the cashmere yarn called for for Harper is $53/skein, but Dolcetto DK is only $28. It totally feels like cashmere and has great yardage: 206 yds instead of 154. It would only take 7-8 skeins instead of 9 for the largest size.
I love it!!! Happy New Year to you two!!
Comment by Penny — December 29, 2022 @ 10:38 pm
So happy to hear from you, Sally. Now I have to get my hands on a ball of Silk Cloud. Always sad when a beloved vendor (friend) disappears. Love the vee-neckness of Harper. Happy New Year to you and Susan.
Comment by Chloe — December 30, 2022 @ 6:45 am
Beautiful!
Comment by Julia in KW — December 30, 2022 @ 6:43 pm
Happy New Year, Sally! My daughter has shared about Boulder’s weather and her terrible landlord who was horribly snarky to her and her roommate denying that their little apartement was warm when it was freezing cold! They had to leave it to survive!Evidently, Boulder never plows out side streets so just getting around has been arduous! She has a nanny job in Golden so with her bald tires and leaking radiator, it has been a nightmare getting to her job! Things seem to be getting a little better in her life right now but we expect her to return to MN and say a final au revoir to Boulder and her life as a starving artist! Just love your very cosy, smartly sophisticated “pull.” Susan has shared a little about your current project so we know you have been exceedingly busy! You still manage to come up with a gorgeous FO. Just cannot get over Shibui closing! Such beautiful yarn but with inflation and all the other problems with our economy it’s probably what they had to do! Lucky you were able to load up a bit! Here’s to a better 2023!
Comment by Kathy W. — December 31, 2022 @ 12:30 pm
Such sad news about Shibui! I had vague plans to order some Silk Cloud for [something], but I do still have some in my stash.
Comment by kmkat — January 1, 2023 @ 4:02 pm
Love, love, love the elegant simplicity of this design. I signed on to the link and got major sticker shock: $53 a ball for the yarn called for, yikes! At 5′ 11″ and size XL I’d be looking at close to $600 with allowing for extra length in the body and sleeves, hard to justify when I look at the size of my stash 🙁 The Dolcetto is a bit, a tiny bit, more reasonable, but did I mention my stash? Anyway, I’m delighted to see you post again and with such an inspirational project. Hmmm, it may be time to put a few UFOs in time out and start the New Year with a New Project …
Comment by Pru — January 3, 2023 @ 8:50 pm