Finally, an FO
Sometimes classic styling just. Works. Out.
Pattern: My own, based on Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top chapters on Vests and Inset Sleeves.
Yarn: Gedifra Modern Cotton (50% cotton, 35% rayon and 15% polyester; 50g; 130 yards) in 3219 Rose
Needles: US7 for body, US6 for neckline ribbing, US8 for cuff and body ribbing
(Please excuse knobby climber fingers.) I have to say, for reals now, that I love this sweater! Love, love, love it!
It must be said that every part of this sweater with the exception of the shoulder shaping, has been reknit at least once. A time-consuming experience, but one that has left me all the wiser regarding knitting for my body. I had knit the neckline with a US7 before and it was a little too loose (and deep) for my taste, so I tried with a US6. Much better. You know, there aren't any specific rules regarding needle size, so I thought of what instinctively would work for me here. The sleeves were knit straight after decreases; no bell sleeves on this baby. The body was reknit from the boobal line because there weren't enough decreases and increases to fit my torso. Let's see, what else? Oh yeah, combined knitting for the ribbing, a very cool idea!
I *highly* recommend Miss Walker's book to anyone who wants to make the perfect sweater for themselves. I'll be using it for more down the line; maybe add texture and more color. Lauren and I have been exchanging emails on the possibilities of doing so much more with the top-down technique, such as texture and color. I would definitely want to try the simultaneously-knit sleeve concept as well. I've been inspired!
Yours looks so, so great. I really love it. We are hooked!
totally adorable!
...And thus a knit-along-independent-design-and-thinking-revolution begins. (Is it an oxymoron? Knit-along & indepedent thought? Nah, just at first glance.)
ooh-la-la! It fits so well and you look fabulous in it.
beautifully done, mj! it's really lovely - i'm envious of such a nicely fitted knit. hmm, must check out the miss walker book, thanks ;)
That is beautiful - truly a perfect sweater. I _must_ get hold of Barbara Walker's book...
Awesome job and it looks great on you!
Wow, it looks fantastic! The colour is so pretty and perfect for spring :) Must go check out that book... I'm totally loving top-down patterns nowadays.
Wow ! Very nice. Very nice indeed. You look fabulous.
OH MJ! IT'S GORGEOUS!!! The fit is fantastic. I have the book and I've skimmed through it, but now I really, really, really have to read it. How perfectly inspiring! And I've been wanting a top like this for awhile - I've got some Calmer that would be great as a v-neck long sleeve - with contrasting ribbing at all the edges. After seeing your masterpiece - I want it NOW!
It's the simple things in life, and the things we have to work towards, that are the best! Great sweater.
It fits you like a glove!! I love it, so perfect. There's nothing like a completely customized knit, all the tinking was worth it. You'll have to reexplain to me what I've read so far in the book. I'm ready to start on mine :)
Wow, beautiful sweater, MJ! I love the color and the fit is perfect for you. Great job!
It looks great! The color and fit really are perfect. Congrats! :)
Your sweater is beatuiful. There's nothing better than something that fits so perfectly. I think redoing a sweater until it's perfect makes it that much more satisfying when it's finished. Enjoy wearing it!
So beautiful and it fits perfectly. Congratulations on designing a great sweater--it was worth all the hard work.
Very nice and very flattering!
Amazing! Fits you perfectly! I just got that book out of the library for my next (in progress) pullover and it is a find!
You're right, perfect fit. Very nice!!
Wow! MJ, I'm just in awe! That sweater looks absolutely fabulous on you. You did such a great job.
The sweater looks *so* awesome on you, MJ!!! Congratulations on a beautiful FO.
The sweater really does look amazing on you.
What a fantastic fit! Looks gorgeous on you. I'm definitely checking out that book.
It is perfect! Love the color, fit and idea of something to simple and classic. I'm green with envy!
MJ, it is just the perfect sweater! Something like that can be both dressed up and casual - I think I need one! I just love the color and the fit of yours :) Congrats, girl!!
What an incredible fit! It looks so good on you.
The sweater looks great! I love the fit and the color!
I love it - great fit. I always prefer the classics myself.
Perfect! It looks so great on you.
How completely inspiring! Wonderful job. I *must* do the same to an older project of mine, now. :)
Lovely!!! And you are a climber so you have every right ot have knobby climbers fingers. I would worry if you had long nails when I know that you are a climber.
Gorgeous! Absolutely a perfect fit, and a beautiful color.
Your sweater looks perfect! Very well fitting and the color's fantastic. I've been thinking about getting the Knitting from the Top book for quite some time after I found out that it discusses set in sleeves without having to seam. Top down just seems to make sense to me!
Ahh, and the comment about the knobby fingers... are you a crack climber? I've managed to escape the visible damage to my hands (let's not talk about the invisible damage to my tendons though) but my feet are hopeless. Sandals are just never going to happen again.
Thanks for your comment about Wildfiber... I'd never heard of yarns Unlimited before, so I'll have to go check them out.
That looks So. Good. It really is the perfect sweater.
Oh that sweater is just gorgeous!! It fits you so well, and love the classic style.
Wow - that is incredible. The fit and color are perfection. You could never in a million years purchase something off the rack that fits yourself so well! Good job!
AH! has it been that long since commenting! the sweater loos great... I love the color....The lace pictures were really pretty, great opportunity!
such a beautiful sweater! the color looks great on you!
I like how you went UP a needle size for the cuffs, I never like going down! It reminds me of tappered jeans, no one does that anymore!
Wow that's a fabulous sweater. Great job!
Wow, very nice and so everyday-wearable! I've been wanting to try this top down set in sleeve thing forever...
Congrats! Your sweater turned out soooo awesome. The color is beautiful and the fit is amazing! Way to go girl ; )
Amazing job! That's one of those sweaters that you will wear forever as a favorite. Plus the color is awesome!
The sweater is lovely on you and fits perfectly. Great job fitting it to yourself.
Gosh, this one is absolutely gorgeous - fits you so perfectly, and I love the color! Amazing work done!
Geez between you and Lauren I must get this book! Fantastic.
Oh, my goodness! It's fantastic. Now I'm going to have to go out and get that book, because this is exactly the type of sweater I would like for myself. It looks great on you.
ok I think you may have just pushed me over teh top... that sweater looks perfect cas! and now I will wrestle you because I want it :)