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I’m Starting at the Top!

Baby Cables & Big Ones Too
This one is next!

I do not have enough sweaters. Seems like I knit a lot, but still, when the cold weather hits I find myself slipping into my old workhorse of a pullover. I made it a couple of years ago from Cascade 220 in a shade of orange so bright that I couldn’t be mistaken for a human much less a dear. I love it but a girl can’t wear orange every day. Because I’m a bit of a technique freak, I tend to knit a lot of small projects like socks, hats and mittens just for the fun of trying out new and intriguing methods. In many ways that’s a good thing but still…I need sweaters!

I’ve seen some gorgeous sweaters cruising around the web lately and so many of them are worked from the top down. While I was over at Loaves and Stitches, drooling over her WIPs I clicked on a link to the book “The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters”. Now, I’m not new to the top-down method (although it has been quite some time since I’ve used it) but I’d forgotten what a gem of a system it is. It is tremendously fast, allows for easy shaping modifications and doesn’t require seaming. I decided to jump in and cast on two, determined to only use yarn that was already in my stash.

City Tweed

I picked up some City Tweed a while back when they put two weird-ish shades on sale. This color is called “Kitten”. It’s not bad, very neutral, not quite grey, not quite beige. The pattern is one I’ve had in mind for a long time. It’s the Hepburn pullover and was published in Interweave Knits back in Fall 2012. (Procrastinate? Who, Me???)

Hepburn PulloverI was attracted to this pattern mostly because of the shape. I’d like to have something a little boxy in my closet so I know I’ll wear it. Granted, it’s been a bit of a snore to knit but it’s about time I had a stitch-count template for a sweater of that shape at 5 stitches to the inch just in case I want to knit it again with cables or color work or something. I’m a little disappointed that the traveling cables don’t show up; there are a ton of nebs in this yarn. Mostly, I’m amazed at how fast it has worked up.

My Hepburn

Aspen SweaterThe second pattern is one that was first released as a Mystery Knit-Along by Mrs. Hudson’s Yarns and Teas called “The Aspen Sweater”. It’s a very basic sweater with a stranded yoke and cuffs. I’m really enjoying it because it is a very bare-bones pattern. There is no extraneous information, so I can really concentrate on the top-down construction method. This will also be a great pattern for color and motif mods.

My Aspen

I said earlier that a girl can’t wear orange every day. Maybe. Maybe not.

On a side note, I can’t believe I’ve lived this long without one of these:

Yarn Bowl

LOVE it!

13 Comments

  1. Reply

    workdateknit

    January 21, 2014

    Ooh love the new projects! And I neeeeed a wool bowl. Should hint gently to Nick for next yarn related present 🙂 🙂

  2. Reply

    gayle

    January 13, 2014

    Where did you get your wool ball bowl?

    • Reply

      Pearl

      January 14, 2014

      My dear hubby got it for me as a Christmas gift…not sure where but there are many beautiful ones available on Etsy. I’m really thrilled with mine! No more messed up, squished or tangled skeins laying around 🙂
      Thanks for stopping by!

  3. Reply

    Verónica

    January 12, 2014

    All your sweaters in progress are lovely. Orange is a great color! That first sweater is gorgeous. Can’t wait to see yours in progress.

    • Reply

      Pearl

      January 12, 2014

      Against my better judgement, I am at this moment shopping for the yarn 😕

  4. Reply

    lagrancostanza

    January 12, 2014

    Oooh, great choices! I’m looking forward to seeing the finished objects! (I’m trying to do more sweater knitting, too, but I’m so impatient…)

    • Reply

      Pearl

      January 12, 2014

      I know…I’m impatient too 🙂 Perhaps certain sweater patterns should come equipped with a handful of DVD’s (perhaps Seasons 1-3 of Downton Abbey???)

  5. Reply

    garretw

    January 12, 2014

    Challenge yourself to knit all the patterns in a book that is mostly sweaters. You’ll have so many you hate to transport the all. (Can you tell that I just finished packing up for college tomorrow.)

    But the sweaters are looking great! Are you sure that your not the one with four hands?

    As far as the shaping is concerned I don’t care for top down knitting. All the excitement comes at the top and then you’ve got miles of boring knitting to do. But whatever floats your boat.

    • Reply

      Pearl

      January 12, 2014

      You are the KING of sweaters! I am in awe!

  6. Reply

    Nicky

    January 11, 2014

    Those two sweaters are gorgeous and you’re making amazing progress. Can’t wait to see them done.

  7. Reply

    Janet

    January 11, 2014

    I love your sweater choices.

  8. Reply

    CINDY

    January 11, 2014

    I have that top one book marked too and now have the Hepburn one tagged. Love them both and amazed at how quickly you can knit!

    • Reply

      Pearl

      January 11, 2014

      Great minds think alike! 😀

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Compulsive knitter, designer, dog-o-phile and re-placed New Orleanian; lover of succulent plants, wine and sand between my toes.

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