So, I guess this makes a second craft project that can exist, more in the realm of imagination than reality, until I have the requisite mojo. No problem. All the more time to press you for your assistance!
For starters, here's my already-purchased, DK-weight yarn:
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| Photo found on Etsy, but I couldn't link to it... (I'm happy to attribute it if I figure out a way.) |
But I'm happy I've gone a bit crazy with this yarn, in all its myriad weights and halos. I can truly speak of its merits and detractors now.
What I do love unquestionably is the colour. Y'all know I do not fear orange. And this doesn't scream pumpkin spice. It's brighter than the photo shows.
Before I ask for your feedback on proposed DK patterns, I would love to hear about your personal go-to sport or DK yarn brands. I'm looking for something that will keep its shape, give excellent stitch definition, doesn't knit with a halo (not nuts about alpaca for this reason), comes in great colours and feels exceptionally soft. I'm not, as you know, into incredibly rustic looking wool. Mind you, try to change my mind, why don't you :-)
OK, here are the DK patterns I am considering:
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| Somewhat Cowl by Wendy Bernard |
But you can find all of these patterns in my Ravelry Favourites which are public.
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| Flutter Sleeve Cardigan by Pam Allen |
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| Bettie's Pullover by Maria Leigh |
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| Somerset Cardigan by Melissa Wehrle |
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| Cherry Cardigan by Anna Bell |
It's harder to choose a sweater than it looks! Much harder than choosing a sewing pattern. I've searched through hundreds, just to gain these 5 options.
So, whatcha think?
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YOu certainly have the ability to find the most beautiful patterns on Ravelry. I am leaning towards the Somewhat Cowl or Flutter Sleeve but I do adore the Bettie's pullover (selfishly for myself)
ReplyDeleteGood luck deciding and I am glad your starting to feel better.
Oh thank you Angela! And thanks for your suggestions. I'm not going to tell quite yet which one I'm thinking of, but pls. stay tuned.
DeleteI think the Somewhat Cowl would be best for the yarn and I love modern lines of this pattern. I don't know how well the others would work in Cashmerino, which tends to be a bit too soft and drapey (and I feel that some of the other patterns require more structure).
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the yarn texture - very smart advice. Thank you for that info...
DeleteQuince & Co. Chickadee (more on the sport weight end) and Lark (DK-or-maybe-worsted) would fit your requirements. They're both soft 100% wools with a good twist, no halo, and a range of colors. I think they ship to Canada but I don't know how reasonable (or not) it would be.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to look these up. I know I've looked them up before, but I'll turn a more detailed eye to them. At a certain point, you have to bite the bullet and pay the shipping. It's just about doing it as intelligently as possible.
DeleteOh, I can so easily imagine how perfect that Somerset would be in the Rowan Felted Tweed DK -- I know that's not answering your question, but I love the idea of mixing that tailored design with the slightly (!) homespun look of the tweed. . .
ReplyDeleteI know, it would probably work very nicely. The sweater is modelled in pure cashmere, btw. That has quite a bit more drape than the tweed, I suspect.
DeleteReally? Yummm! It would be lovely in cashmere, and yes, that would have much more drape than the tweed.
DeleteI actually have half a mind to buy that DK cashmere (that stuff is hard to find!). Thing is, the pattern directs you here: oneplanetyarnandfiber.com and the only cashmere in DK is not that gorgeous camel colour...
DeleteSomerset Cardigan
ReplyDeleteOooh, one of my faves.
DeletePersonally, I love the Bettie's pullover pattern but I know that I have much more of a need for cardigans as I wear those more.
ReplyDeleteSo my advice would be to try and match what you like the look of with what you'd realistically get the most wear from - not always the same thing!
You raise a good question - cardi vs pullover. I actually think I may have more use for pullovers at this point (having made so many cardis). I'm debating.
DeleteI think I tried to knit that Anna Bell pattern, and the shoulders were very wide and the bust tight for me? I think that pattern (or another of hers) was the one that made me decide that, for small, independent pattern writers, I'm going to look for people whose bodies are shaped like mine to start with. (Smaller-shouldered and bigger-busted than she is) I know you will do a very careful job of comparing pattern to your measurements! I'd be interested to see what you find if you try this one.
ReplyDeleteOh very good info. I was wondering if that would be the way - the shoulders do look wide. And I agree with you about using small pattern designs done by designers of the same general shape as oneself. I wish they gave some of their key dimensions, just to help us. Pics don't always tell the full story.
DeleteOh! I love Bettie's Pullover - it's really beautiful and unique, and would look lovely with the yarn you chose.
ReplyDeleteI think it might too!
DeleteI think the Somewhat Cowl has YOU written all over it. It's got that je ne sais quois to it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Steph. This one could be very sassy or a bit plain. I'm trying to decide which...
DeleteI love the somewhat cowl! It makes me wonder if my MIL's got her knitting machine up and running, or if it's even something she could make using it for me....
ReplyDeleteGo find out! Quick!
DeleteI love the Bettie Pullover, but like someone else mentioned, I don't wear pullovers much because they are too warm. I also like the flutter sleeve. I have never used this yarn so I have no idea how it will look in any of these patterns. They all are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Victoria. Now they're all growing on me that much more! I'm very impressionable.
DeleteSo glad to hear you're on the mend. All of those designs are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWe're sadsville here because both of our cats went missing Friday afternoon. We think it's a trapper, but they've not shown up at SPCA. Both cats have microchips, so SPCA will call us if the cats turn up, but we've been checking in person anyway. And we distributed flyers, etc.
Susan: That is TERRIBLE. I am so sorry to hear that your cats are not with you. Have they ever wandered off before? Sometimes animals get into very strange moods and then turn up again as if everything is all normal. I'm praying that you'll be reunited with your furry friends very soon. xoxo
DeleteI like the Somerset cardigan. I can see it working nicely on your figure and it's elegant :)
ReplyDeleteIt is elegant. It was down to this one and Bettie's Pullover - and the somewhat cowl, actually. I'm having a lot of difficulty choosing apparently!
DeleteJust my 2 cents worth and feel free to ignore, but I would caution against the flutter sleeve cardi. I made it a while ago and ended up giving it to my mum (who has broader shoulders than me). It just looked too big and sloppy on my narrow shoulders even though it was the 'right' size.
ReplyDeleteThanks Josie: This one, actually, is the one I'm least into. While I do think it's pretty, it does seem wide in the shoulders. I appreciate your giving me this knowledgeable advice.
DeleteBettie's Pullover. I just love it! And I love that yarn colour too.
ReplyDeleteHa! You called it.
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