Sunday, September 1, 2013

My First Sweater!


Yay!!  My first "official" sweater complete!!  And I love it!  The yarn worked out a little wacky, but I still love it anyway!  
I found this super-duper easy pattern over at "Dances with Wool".   It worked up beautifully.  I made my cardigan a little longer, and also the arms and cuffs are a little longer too.   It is a raglan knit from the top down.  I find the medium size to be dead on.
You can actually see the way the yarn worked up.  Believe it or not, this is actually one yarn!!  It looked like a completely different yarn when I got to the end of the skein.  
What I learned from making this:  
  • It would be easy to custom this to a larger size.  You can try it on as you go to make sure it fits right under the arms.
  • It would be very easy to make a standing collar by doing several rows of k2, p2 ribbing before you start the increases.
  • Also the placket for the buttons could easily widened for larger buttons.  
  • Stripes would be pretty or using two shades of yarn every two rows!
  • I used a k2, p2 ribbing on the sleeves and cuffs, I prefer the look.
  • Once you have made one, you will have to do another!!
As you can tell I loved this.  I have always wanted to make a sweater, and it actually be something that I would wear!  And this pattern has giving me knitting courage to try more complicated ones.  

It will definitely be my "go to" sweater!

I also wanted to share pictures of the shawl I finished up awhile back.  
I used the flower loom to do the flowers and then crocheted them together using some black crocheted cotton I had on hand.  
It took more time than I thought it would, and I started to get burned out before I finished it.  Joining the flowers got a little monotonous and something that required more concentration than I had.  If you look close you will see little places where the joining is off.
It would  be pretty over a black turtle neck.  I am thinking I may put this in my etsy shop.  

So, now I am in full sweater mode, and have already begun another!  LOL!  I am so ready for fall and sweater weather!
Before I go, here is a picture of me in my sweater!!  Isn't it cute!

I'm off for now.  Have tomorrow off for Labor Day so I have a whole day to do what ever I want. Who can guess what that will be?   LOL!

21 comments:

honeycat said...

I love the yarn you used for the sweater and how it's knitted up looks amazing.
The shawl is simply stunning. You must be so happy with the finished effect.
Melanie x

Hindustanka said...

The sweater is unique! Beautifully made, very neat, that yarn makes it also fabulous! The shawl is so nice too, colorful! yey :)

Alhana said...

That sweater looks fabulous! That yarn you used is great and makes the sweater unique. And your new shawl is also very nice and colourful. You've been busy!

Mereknits said...

You did a fantastic job on the sweater and the shawl. Realy great yarn choice for the sweater, you look great in it.
Hugs,
Meredith

Unknown said...

Loving your sweater & it fits your personality to a T, IMHO. Love your blog & thank you

Anonymous said...

Great sweater!! Good job! Would love to know where to find the pattern!
Also love your sweet dog...I have a mini Dachsund, smooth, black. 11 year old Mariah. She is the love of my life! :)
Pat

Charlotte said...

As always your work is beautiful! I love looking forward to your posts. Please don't stay away so long! I can knit (though I prefer crochet) and may try this pattern. Not a lot of parts to make. Love the yarn you made yours with. Love the shawl!

linda said...

Your cardigan and shawl are lovely, I love the yarn you have used for the cardigan it will go with so many colours :)

Gramma Rita said...

Both the sweater and shawl are gorgeous! Love the yarn you used for the sweater. Job well done! :)

Zen knitter said...

Your cardigan is wonderful. This is the type of pattern I like.
Will it be available for purchase?

Unknown said...

Love your sweater! It's really pretty and looks good on you. :)

Kris said...

Beautiful!!!!
xo KRis

Anonymous said...

Pretty sweater! Looks good on you!

PoetessWug said...

Hi! I'm your blog neighbor. :-) I thought I'd hit the "next blog" link and see what other bloggers are up to! ^_^ I like what you're making!...That sweater is cool!!..Carry on! ^_^

CathieJ said...

I am just about to start knitting my first sweater also. Yours is beautiful. I may have to try this pattern next.

Crochet Goddess said...

Beautiful sweater. I am working on my first sweater. I love the colors.

Crochet Goddess said...

I love the sweater! I looks great on you! The colors are beautiful. Love the buttons too! Where did you find them? I am knitting my first sweater it is an Aran took a class at my local Arts Guild, so far I have the left and right front finished and I have started the back. The class has turned into a knitting group since we could not wipe out a sweater as fast as the woman that taught the class. Have a great weekend.

Tanna said...

GREAT sweater; I LOVE the way that yarn worked up! Love the colorfulness of your shawl with the black. Very nice. blessings ~ tanna

AgueroSandra said...

Divino!!! besitos.

janice15 said...

Your amazing.. I love every piece you have made.. boy I sure wish I could understand patterns.. love it all.. with love Janice... p.s. your blog is great.. ty

Sueli Soares said...

Olá, Sou do Brasil.
Achei seus trabalhos simplesmente lindos.
Amei tudo o que vi.
Gosto muito de tricô e crochê.
Sou artesã profissional e percebi que você é muito sensível e talentosa.
Parabéns. Continue nos fazendo viajar nos sonhos com seu trabalho