Elise is my new pullover with a color work twist!
I am SO proud to be included in the Autumn/Winter collection from Hudson + West Co! I love every item in this collection. I wish I had time to knit my way through every single one!
Rugged, warm and utilitarian, Elise is the “sweat shirt” of pullovers. It’s the sweater that hangs on a peg by the back door. It’s the one you darn. It’s the one your daughter or son will wear years from now because it fits everyone in the family. Elise has a homespun feel with its oversized fit, deep armholes and relaxed sleeve just right for rolling up.
“The throwback sweater we all need, Elise by Cheryl Toy marries collegiate jersey style with a heritage colorwork motif for a retro-inspired sweater that is at home in any decade. This cozy design features a v-neck and ribbing with color pops and a graphic band motif that runs across the body and upper arms.”
I love two-color stranded color work! It’s just so meditative to knit. This motif, though certainly bold and graphic, is a simple and intuitive pattern. The stitches just seem to fall naturally into their places without much need to consult the chart. I like the strength of geometric designs like diamonds and triangles.
The Inspiration
For Autumn 2023, I wanted to design a ‘heritage’ project with a homespun feel, a sweater that would call to mind open air, freshly split firewood and the first chilly evenings. An oversized fit, deep armholes and relaxed sleeves make Elise that very sweater, a little bit retro and quintessentially American. Drawing on the themes of the high desert, you’ll find Native American influence in the simple diamond motif that forms the focal point of this easy wearing raglan.
Duplicate Stitch
Bold two-color stranded knitting adds excitement to a simple sweater, especially when it is augmented with duplicate stitch. Worked from the top down in the round, this sweater’s bold colorwork employs duplicate stitch to add a third color in finishing, so you only need to carry two colors while knitting the body. Optional instructions are included for a tubular bind off at the hem, sleeves, and collar.
The Yarn: Forge
Let’s talk about this yarn! Forge, from Hudson + West Co, is hands down my favorite worsted weight for heirloom projects like Elise. A blend of American Merino and Corriedale, Forge possesses a rustic woolliness paired with a soft, almost silky hand. I love it for everything from cables to color work. Forge has played a huge role in my design vocabulary over the last few years, especially in projects like Olympia, my great big cabled cardigan. Forge has been a satisfying vehicle of experimentation and inspiration for me. The palette is muted and limited but very sophisticated. Check out some of the new colors like “Bourbon” and “Smoke”.
I hope you’ll love Elise as much as I do! I plan to hang one on a peg by my back door as soon as I can!
