I have to say I'm really quite proud of myself - this is the first "real sweater" I've ever knit myself, and I love wearing it! Not to sound too boastful, but I've had many compliments when I've worn it out, and the colour and style are really perfect for this fall. After having several babies, my hips are a tad wide in proportion to the rest of me, and this style is quite flattering. Plus, it's wonderful soft wool, and feels warm and cozy!
Particulars:
Yarn - Jaeger Natural Fleece, in Bordeaux, 8 balls
Pattern - Drops 103-1 Jacket
Needle Size - 8mm bamboo straights for the body, 7.5mm DPNs on the sleeves
Notes/Modifications - I knit (with 2 needle sizes!) and washed a gauge swatch, something I've never actually done before. Even so, I had to do some math, and ended up knitting the size small (with size large lengths of body and arm) to end up with a sweater slightly larger than the medium schematics. Perfect for me!
I knit the body in pieces, but the sleeves in the round, to avoid those bulky seams up my arms. I also left out the buttonholes, and use my lovely shawl pin as a closure. Although I'd like to call it a design element, the truth is I was watching a movie with Stuart and forgot about buttonholes, and then decided I liked it after all! I enjoy the versatility of being able to move my pin around; sometimes I pin it at the neck, sometimes the waist, and at times I just let the sweater fall open.
Working with bulky yarn was lots of fun for me - even with my limited knitting time, I finished this up in just under a month and a half. I'm sure you could do it much faster, but this provided a lot of gratification for me. When it came to seaming, I used some leftover Knitpicks Palette, in Clematis Heather. It's much more purple than the sweater, but thanks to the wonder of mattress stitching, you can't see it anyway. Using the fine yarn for seaming really helped cut down on the bulk of the seams as well.
This is certainly a pattern I can recommend - it's a great style, a well written pattern, and there have been some really clever modifications on Ravelry, if you want to take the time to check them out.
Charity, that is really beautiful! I love the color and the pattern and in only a month and a half? I am in awe.
Posted by: Carrie K | November 03, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Love it!
Posted by: Sheri | November 03, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Congratulations! You should be proud of yourself.
Posted by: Maria | November 03, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Beautiful! I'd love to see some modelled shots!
Posted by: Hasbu | November 03, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Oh what a lovely version of a great pattern - I imagine it does look wonderful on you, that colour is fab.
Nice to know we'll be seeing more of you this month - I'll try and keep up!
Posted by: Sarah | November 03, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Simply gorgeous Charity!
Posted by: Jo | November 03, 2008 at 11:23 PM
It's so pretty. Love the shape, the stitch pttern and the gorgeous colour!
Posted by: erin | November 04, 2008 at 03:04 AM
Gorgeous, gorgeous colour Charity.
I'd be proud to have knit one sleeve, let alone the whole garment, well done to you.
But where's the modelled pic???
Posted by: Karen | November 04, 2008 at 04:21 AM
Oh wow. It looks so great! Good Job!
Posted by: colleen | November 04, 2008 at 06:48 AM
Absolutley gorgeous jacket! I love the bright beautiful color and the edging/collar stitching is wonderful - very classy all around!
Posted by: Pat | November 04, 2008 at 07:50 AM
YAY! and Congrats to you, Charity! Your sweater is GORgeous, beautiful colour, fabulous design, beautifully knit! I'm so proud of you!
xox
Posted by: marianne | November 04, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Beautiful. Such a lovely colour.
Posted by: Brenda | November 04, 2008 at 11:05 AM
I love it~ the style, the color, the yarn: I may just have to make one for myself :-)
Posted by: meg | November 04, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Gorgeous Charity, that color will look amazing on you.
Posted by: Knittypants | November 04, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Charity, I just found your blog and I love your sweater!!! I quickly went to the website you listed (Drops Designs) and I couldn't believe all the beautiful sweaters there! I love the U.S. conversion of the patterns too-makes it so much easier for me!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful sweater with us! I'll be coming back to your Blog!
Posted by: Sherri McDermitt | November 05, 2008 at 02:39 AM
It looks gorgeous, and I love that pink too.
Posted by: sue | November 05, 2008 at 02:48 AM
this sweater is almost as beautiful as you. Im very proud of you, my little girl. love me a lot, dad
Posted by: dad | November 05, 2008 at 09:17 AM
This is so very pretty!!
Posted by: tiennie | November 05, 2008 at 01:15 PM
That is just gorgeous! That color will be fabulous on you.
Posted by: Lorette | November 06, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Wow...this is beautiful! I so admire all the knitting crafters and the amazing things a few balls of yarn and a couple of super-talented hands can make. Just amazing.....you did a beautiful job ~ love it!
Posted by: Sandra | November 10, 2008 at 07:03 PM
What a gorgeous sweater! You must model it for us!
Posted by: Tammy | November 11, 2008 at 08:25 AM