2 knitted jumpers

In the past, the majority of my knitting projects have been socks. I have tried textures, colourwork, fair isle, lace, and have enough socks to go through all winter, so earlier this year I decided that I would turn my hand to knitting something new - a jumper. Year before last I knitted the Purl Soho short row sweater  in fingering weight drops baby alpaca silk, which took me several months to complete (not surprising for such a large surface area in such fine wool!), so I set my plan for knitting my first proper jumper at the beginning of summer thinking it would be ready and finished just about in time for the start of autumn.

my short row sweater

The Chuck sweater 

Aware that knitting a jumper is quite a large undertaking, I opted to start out with a slightly smaller cropped one - the Chuck sweater. It also appealed to me because of the number of cables on it, as cables are something I particularly enjoy in knitting, and something I am confident with so I was sure I could complete the pattern well and without getting bored. I bought my pattern, caked up 4 skeins of aran weight Cascade 220 in the Pumpkin Spice colour way from wool warehouse, and cast on to begin.

pumpkin spice colourway

The top-down construction of the sweater was interesting but very clever, it grew nicely and I was happy to begin the cables which were complicated enough to require a bit of concentration every now and then but not too challenging that it was a pain. Before I knew it I was knitting the waist band of the jumper, with just the sleeves and ribbing to be done, and this only motivated me to push through and get it finished so I could wear it.

the finished sweater

back shaping

Part way through finishing up my second sleeve I noticed a mistake I had made in one of my cables (perhaps karma telling me I was a little too relaxed and overly confident knitting them), however at this point it was far too late to rip it back and change it, although I think it gives it character and isn't too noticeable.

the cable mistake

I completed this jumper in 3 weeks time, it knitted up very fast. The pattern was easy to follow, and interesting enough that I felt compelled to keep picking it up and working on it. The size that I made fits perfectly for me, and I am really impressed with the outcome as it is a great design which I think looks great in the colour way. The only note I would make on this before knitting it again (which I most definitely will), is that I will need to look into a few different types of bind off. Initially I had bound it off too tight, so it fit nicely around my waist once on but was difficult to pull of quickly over my shoulders, so I tried again with a looser bind off but this just made it gape. In the end I tried to aim for a mid-way bind off, which I blocked to be a little larger, which works well but isn't perfect.

sweater modelling 

Although I was happy to finish this project so quickly, I was done just before the start of summer when I couldn't wear it, and it left me at a loss for a summer knitting project as I thought it would last at least until September. So, of course, I decided to knit another different jumper.

front detailing

The forest cardigan

I felt more confident now with one complete jumper under my belt, so I was more ambitious in selecting a second jumper. I landed on the forest cardigan, a staple which has long since been missing from my wardrobe - a long, cozy, and practical cardigan (and again featuring lovely big cables). I ordered 6 skeins of caron simply soft heather in the charcoal colourway - and in the end I used only 4 and a half of these (about 1100m).

the finished cardigan

Sookie approved of the colourway

I had a very tough time getting good photos of this on!

I stitched a 'hand made' label in to finish 

The pattern started out a little tricky for me, as it begins with a raglan construction from top down which is unlike anything I've ever knitted before, and it required a lot of charting. However once I got to grips with the chart I'd made it grew quickly, and I especially enjoyed the new type of cable on the sleeves.

raglan construction

sleeve cables

I'd never knitted pockets before and it was interesting to try this, but I am not totally sure I am happy with the outcome. The top of the pocket opening is the same size as the beginning of the back part (29 stitches), which made the top of the pockets loose and drapey, I think the structure would have been more stable if the outer part had slightly fewer stitches at the top. The lower part of the back of the pockets are slightly larger (2 stitches) than the front, so when I stitched them together in addition to the loose top of the pockets there was now puckering towards the edges. I haven't yet blocked the cardigan, but I hope that this will even the pockets out a bit.

pocket detail

pocket

I initially knitted the sleeves the recommended length from the pattern, but when I tried it on they were far too long so I frogged about 4 inches - perhaps my gauge was too loose or maybe my arms are just short? The sleeves are still pretty long though, which is nice and also gives the opportunity to fold up the cuffs.

Maybe it was the thick wool, maybe it was that I was so interested in the way the pattern was building, maybe I was just on a roll, but I completed this cardigan in 15 days. I really enjoyed knitting it, and I am so happy with the outcome, it is a warm and cozy cardigan, and the wool is so soft and squishy - I'd very much like to make it again.

so happy in this jumper!

Now, with 2 new jumpers in the hottest week of the year so far, I am thinking of planning another more elaborate sweater, perhaps something with colourwork on the front in a lighter weight of wool. But this is all I have for now, tot volgende keer!