A modest boast

[pensnest]

I spent a fair bit of time knitting last year, and created a sweater each for my nephew and niece.



(click to see full size)

Adorable Nephew is wearing something from Elizabeth Zimmerman's book, a bottom-up seamless sweater with yoke, a first for me, as generally I have done my seamless sweaters top-down. I used a bunch of blues in it, mostly what I had left after a couple of other blue ones, but some strands of mohair got in there, and this and that. It turned out rather well.

Adorable Niece has a textured sweater, also seamless (because, no sewing!), with a big fat cable on one side of the front. Garter stitch for most of the body, and stocking stitch for the sleeves—it was a quick knit, and a bit dull, but very effective.

Beast and I tried a new class today, 'Zumba Strong', which is sort of like minimal dancing combined with boxing, as there's a heck of a lot of jabbing, uppercutting etc. I'd been hoping for a bit more dancing, maybe with weights. Still, a good workout.

*sags into chair*

Comments

[pensnest]

I suspect that in my case, my unawareness of the importance of tension did not help matters! Kaffe Fassett had the yarns supplied to him in a variety of colours, but who among us can afford that much Rowan? Hmph.

Perhaps I should go back to multicoloured scarves to use up the copious little balls in the stash.

[raynedanser]

Now I need to go back and look again. Was that Rowan Yarn? Kaffe Fassett is insane with colors sometimes. He did a KAL last year (I think?) that was insane. I LOVE Rowan yarns though.

[pensnest]

I think he generally used Rowan yarn for the patterns in his books. And the colours are beautiful! Well, once in a while he produces a pattern that makes me cringe, but "Glorious Knitting" was the book that inspired me to start knitting, so I am very grateful!

[raynedanser]

I think you may be right. Is he exclusively their designer, do you know?

That looks like an incredible book. I may have to hunt it down. :)

[pensnest]

Hmm. I don't know if he's exclusively their designer, but in all three of the books I have, he lists Rowan yarns for his designs. Though in some cases he doesn't specify a yarn, just a weight and tension.

Glorious knitting is wonderful. The pattern shapes are rather boxy, by and large, but there are some really inspiring colours. I've knitted several of those. And did you see turlough's Kaffe Fassett throw?

[raynedanser]

I think nearly everything I've seen of his has used their yarn, so I've often wondered.

I haven't had her added for quite a long time. Which pattern was it?

[pensnest]

It's like a patchwork of different patterns - a sampler, I suppose - united by the colour scheme. Worth a look! I think she's on Ravelry so there is probably a pic up there.

[raynedanser]

WOW! I'm so glad she is predictable (with her user name). She is an amazing knitter and that throw is incredible! I'm in awe.

[pensnest]

Me too! I have knitted something in (I think) four of those patterns: the diamonds near the front, the zig-zag stripes, the tumbling blocks, and the stars in the back left corner.