Colourful spring knit!

Sorry, sorry! I should have warned you to have your sunglasses ready, shouldn’t I?! Here, finally, is my first completed knit of 2010 (unless I’ve forgotten something, which seems quite possible — how could I just be finishing my first knit at the end of March?!). Of course, the eagle-eyed among you will notice this isn’t quite finished as the buttons still have to be sewn on. Blocking, however, has been done, although steeked facings could still be trimmed a bit and then stitched down. I picked out buttons yesterday — small, shiny black ones, as the only possible way I can imagine wearing this sweater is against a black everything-else.

I’m hoping I won’t end up wearing this, other than perhaps one or two outings just to garner the inevitable gasps from admiring observers who will be confirmed in their previous estimation of my colourful eccentricity. I hope this, based on a previously-expressed wish by daughter #2 who admired Nola’s colourful tulip sweater and wanted an adult version. There is every chance this will be even more colour than she’s hoped for, but I’d love to see her wearing this, if it fits — we’ll see, this weekend.

You might reasonably wonder why, if I’m so ambivalent about wearing the sweater or even being able to give it away, would I make it. It’s clearly quite a bit of work, hours and hours and hours in the making — and the sleeves, especially, with all the weight of the body attached, were hard on my arms, shoulders, and wrists. But I’ve loved the look of this sweater (Ruth Sorenson’spattern, with Kauni 4-ply) since I saw it on the Yarn Harlot’s blog at least a year ago, and it just kept calling to me. Watching the beautifully-dyed Kauni colours unfold was a joy as was watching them play their various shades against each other. Besides, I’ve never steeked a sweater before, nor made a traditionally-constructed knit-in-one-piece Fair Isle sweater before. Obviously, I’m more a process knitter than I might have thought.

Besides, I really want to try out this “strict”dressing that Duchesseis always talking about — what do you think? Isn’t this perfect? (I’m kidding, I’m kidding . . . )

By the way, I’ve noticed that more and more of you are visiting me, which I love, but I notice that only a faithful few leave comments. I know you’re all busy folk, but I’d love to hear just a quick chirp or two if you have a minute. I’ll do my best to chirp back, in a timely manner. . . . And should you choose to “Follow”me, why, I’d like that as well, despite the slightly ominous, cultish sound of it — right-hand column, there at the top, just click . . .

22 Comments

  1. Susan B
    31 March 2010 / 4:22 am

    I just love the colors and patterns of this sweater! Gorgeous, and I'm in awe of your knitting skill.

  2. LPC
    31 March 2010 / 4:31 am

    Whether anyone ever wears it or not. Still wonderful to see.

  3. hostess of the humble bungalow
    31 March 2010 / 5:32 am

    As a knitter I know hoe much work that has gone into this intricate patterned sweater…I'd wear it with a tee and denim skirt or jeans…grab your red bag and go!
    If anyone on the ferry says anything let us know!

  4. knitmomma
    31 March 2010 / 6:36 am

    It's beautiful! I love the vivid hues.

    Just a thought…black makes bright colors pop even more! It would look neon with an all-black ensemble. That might be a good thing, but if not, may I suggest you consider grey or brown, or even white/cream, all of which can blend, or tone down, brights?

  5. Patricia
    31 March 2010 / 7:44 am

    Hm, comments are not working for me! I commented on the last post and it didn't show up and again on this one, diligently making sure I had filled in the security word. Will try again.
    What I did say was: will have to look up 'steek'! Also, I, too, was thinking that your cardigan would look great with white.
    Ok, going to try and make this comment stick! Patricia

  6. Patricia
    31 March 2010 / 7:44 am

    Ok, worked that time! P.

  7. Tiffany
    31 March 2010 / 7:47 am

    Like you, I love knitting things for the process (my first steeking experiment was very exciting!) but I rarely wear things I knit … That cardigan is quite an achievement.

  8. NancyDaQ
    31 March 2010 / 1:57 pm

    It's a lovely sweater! You definitely should wear it.

  9. indigo16
    31 March 2010 / 3:03 pm

    Would that we had the weather to do this cardie justice, it has such a hot spicy feel to it.

  10. materfamilias
    31 March 2010 / 3:22 pm

    Can I just say I'm hating Blogger right now? Grrrrr . . . I just responded to all your comments but Blogger swallowed mine.
    So a condensed version and I'll cross my fingers it doesn't get lost as well.
    Thanks for your compliments on the sweater. Welcome to the new voice, Knitmomma, and thanks for your suggestion re the effect of black. To those of you who suggested white, I might try this (or suggest my daughter does) altho'the sweater is wool, and we tend to do whites in the summer. . . Still, it would brighten a cool summer evening, for sure. Patricia, and others who are curious, I wrote a bit about steeking — and posted a few photos of the process — a little while ago. HHB: good to know you've got my back, LOL

  11. Duchesse
    31 March 2010 / 10:23 pm

    This is a tour de force of knitting and the gradations and combinations of colour are spectacular. I would hang it as an art object, so I could see it every day. Seriously.

  12. jillian
    31 March 2010 / 11:50 pm

    It's gorgeous! And brava for steeking and traditional fair isle construction 🙂

    I think it would be beautiful on you, even though it is certainly bright. Fortunately, it will be beautiful on your daughter too!

  13. materfamilias
    1 April 2010 / 5:54 am

    Duchesse: Thanks! Except for what I learned about sweater construction, I'm wishing I'd made a cushion cover instead — but perhaps just draping the sweater artfully over a chair . . .
    Jillian: Thank you! I'm always impressed at how you seem to wear the sweaters you make — I'm not as likely to do that, but i still enjoy making them.

  14. Lesley
    1 April 2010 / 12:54 pm

    Sun colours! All we need now is sun.

  15. mette
    1 April 2010 / 1:36 pm

    This would, in my opinion too, suit well with a white dress,skirt or pants. I think that all the colors look nice together, but it needs to be the centerpiece, so white is my suggestion too.

  16. Anonymous
    2 April 2010 / 1:49 am

    I think you should wear this…the blue in the sweater would match well with blue jeans perhaps taking the vibrancy down a notch, if you want to.

    Maybe a bright scarf…sometimes bright on bright makes it seem less vivid.

    But I really think it would look great. Why are we all so scared of wearing colour?

    Post pictures!

    Christine

  17. materfamilias
    2 April 2010 / 5:05 pm

    Thanks, metscan, Lesley, and Christine — again, these might be sunny colours, but it's a wool sweater, not terribly wearable in the summer. But I may try it with jeans this weekend — we'll see. I'll definitely try to get some photos either of myself or my daughter wearing it.

  18. knitmomma
    2 April 2010 / 8:48 pm

    I love the idea of wearing it with jeans, and I live in your climate…so yeah, not in the summer, but it would really brighten up a dreary winter day! Maybe a good choice in Jan, when you have had a few too many overcast days?

  19. materfamilias
    3 April 2010 / 4:16 am

    Absolutely, KM — instant sunshine in a dull January . . .

  20. Faux Fuchsia
    3 April 2010 / 6:06 am

    Oh My God, the TALENT!!!! I am a bad but enthusiastic knitter, I love this cardy! Do you sell them?

  21. Antonia Rosina
    3 April 2010 / 10:20 pm

    Beautiful colours! I would not wear them myself but this is an artpiece for sure. I collect yarn…have three huge crates full of it. I fondle it, play with it, knot it and throw it over chairs and what-not just to feel happy. My all time fave is anything by Noro… I love their patterns too!

  22. materfamilias
    4 April 2010 / 1:58 am

    FF: Thanks! No, never sell — simply could never charge what my time is worth.
    Rosina: Welcome! Lovely to have a new commenter. I feel the same way about yarns — the gorgeous colours, wonderful textures. And yummy to Noro! My next Knit posting will be a pair of socks I made my husband, and I've posted a few Silk Garden scarves that I made my son and SILs.

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