I've been doing more to improve my knitting than simply using up older stashed yarn. I have been trying to produce practical sweaters that I will wear often. Here's a catch-up listing of those, as proof that my knitting projects are not all brightly colored. As always, complete details are in my
Ravelry projects. Most of these were knit in 2016.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkFb3khUBFdSqkCJ2LJI8mtzo2a58Fbb7QQUCpL-qPWedR44zb3Uk-mjWcODb1f8fYuaobLHehOS_t9xnPFJIasFTVGjGNskVBPotN7z_KNYzXYHKOvMaOOiyeBBm7xEIed8zEXiXk35i/s400/TanisSweater.jpg) |
Lifesavers Cardigan pattern, Tanis Blue Label yarn
I never thought I'd knit a sweater with fingering weight yarn, even though I bought it in Canada for that purpose. Once I finished it, I found I like it. It is just warm enough and very comfortable. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH6dvF3CV0twLzwCdRZehF0LLpf1_ybG1uromoyYYHI_fTsMzXlIuliM5H7uxHhbxDEzxGAxQa3XEYNGWWHpqMTNnBLzHKWl0D36JCXossBKc25iUBsz4JRIF3mcf_JY0GZ23vsKDJVjM/s400/portout.JPG) |
Portage cardigan pattern, Zara yarn
This superwash yarn makes a heavier sweater. It doesn't have buttons, so is wearable despite the weight. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY1bHOKcTICrzprBkeS3v8od_SRVktTsKNdBQz4m_mOtjJZMeZiuw2eDRko41CoTzGPhgGXKU8BpvfkpD-UDwqqRgJ6iLwyWDanz7GEzZt_7P7OVs7WLAIDMkNPJsq7k0-gIwapPiUDnT/s400/wandflat.JPG) |
Wanderling pattern, Elsa Wool fingering weight yarn
This is a fabulous yarn for a sweater, soft, warm, light and lovely to knit. The pattern is cute, but the cables pull in, affecting the fit in the shoulders. That's a small defect, though. I love wearing this sweater. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir95Q7KfYgqiboslu4sjiL6-Ll6-10QSHwWlvvVbr6OxPbFjdtz3qUfTwCR9aqrTzc32uOJMReQk91-nkYvC3r7YPaDJchix0QpoLRO896TqjGv0J1cyZTlSwvQoJUdCx1Ikd-PRN4HXRg/s400/raglanwhole.JPG) |
Lightweight Raglan pattern, Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine yarn
Lovely pattern, good in this yarn, but would probably be better in a less elastic blend. It is a practical sweater, simple and comfortable except for a small itchy spot in the front of the neck. I can loosen the neckline a little--I tightened it up by shifting the stitches at the welt--or put in a facing in a softer yarn. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPa4mH47tiKiNTvXqXtLlbFBGKfClwTn84F_E5KitfK-1_3TSaB3aFCsrQhifArdQXNwaNGtMlAQVD1S8X8W5B4iSIDcPEVFp14gMZAEtPsloQj8P4il1tNJpB_4grr9GBWiynrkH41Nf/s400/fdyoke.JPG) |
Yoke sweater of my own design using cvm yarn from local mill
This wool is very itchy, making it a challenge to design a sweater that I can wear comfortably. I think it is a success but will know for sure after next winter. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYM-yNyJJdiRlRhhAq_mbc0vCgnerfsvXrE0tO0tc2poP2TJbuXdMsY2f-sIig5NKi0r_iDTo-DfphROystyyvNbCrKrPsn73GczYc0jWnfG3yV5DBtHxkj-D6rvokEfqFjXYnOHCbAjJ/s400/bluegehry.JPG) |
Gehry pattern, Brooklyn Tweed Loft yarn
This sweater wasn't quite done when I took this photo, but it is completed now. I have worn it, but wish I'd knit a smaller size. The yarn is nice and light, but too itchy for me. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHg-kvuOG8kVxhKAhHszloh0tLs-Na9IlRNlvz2qqHwxeXemuX1_rMSyXkFknpOOICOB_1ZKFwp8FIRe4lP7W0zxALJ-2rbBIwoDy7pZpt6awUp1mQozADlyWFB6rK5S0lyc-dLim14HMD/s400/trussfront.JPG) |
Truss pattern, Cascade Cloud yarn
This pattern is not as flattering as I thought it might be and the yarn is heavy. Still, it is a comfortable weight and goes with all my black and gray, as well as blue jeans. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mFlxjOfBwdofSCw0f9UI9XKpTyA0RyLMYmucwkzCgiKsynRlrGjLBLMXYCQdkF7z_ZZKRx-CvaB2GNS59v2WiIA4cXe1kQCAykZ3LNZkUGtdLs0FOlPDYxrlRM3i48iJENP0NtLuCMt3/s400/dsfront.JPG) |
Definitely Susan pattern, Madeline DK yarn, the single spun
Gosh, I love this. It took me a couple of years to get around to knitting the scarf. I'm so glad I finally made it because it makes the sweater a lot more fun to wear. The yarn is superwash but the sweater is so small that it isn't heavy. Or maybe the Tosh Merino DK is just a lighter spun yarn.
There they are, the sweater output brought up to speed. I'm glad I listed them, as it points to an issue I've been ignoring for years. I can't wear most wool comfortably. I tried to buy more rustic yarn last year, but I found them more itchy than the superwash yarns I've bought in the past. Since I'm tired of working with the way superwash stretches out of shape, I've concluded that I should explore (shock) acrylic or acrylic blends as well as confining my purchases to alpaca, merino, cormo, or other soft yarns. Now that I've knitted up a backlog of sweater yarn and explored some of the new options, I can make my purchasing more practical, as I've done with my choice of colors and patterns.
|