Well, I'm back from Sudan and want to go back. There's something amazing about the opportunity to be a small part in rebuilding a country from the ground up. I'll keep you all posted an the developments!
A long time ago, I started to design a sweater from scratch. I wanted a fitted, almost jacket like sweater that would be work appropriate and serve as a coat for those not so cold days in the autumn.
City Tweed is what I came up with!
Project: City Tweed (Surprise sweater)
Pattern: All Mine, from graph paper to sweater
Yarn: Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran
Yardage: 8 balls (about 1400 yards)
Started: April 10, 2007
Finished: May 22, 2007
Yarn Source: Ebay
Needles: 4 and 4.5 mm (US 6 and 7)
Gauge: 4.75 stitches to the inch in stst
When I committed myself to this project, I thought it would be pretty straightforward. I mean, I've knit a lot of sweaters over the years. I've altered patterns until they barely resembled the picture and pattern I started with. Starting with two swatches, graph paper, and an idea was both a lot easier and harder than I thought it would be. To start with, you have even less of a guarantee than normal that the sweater will turn out okay. The body wasn't too hard, but I wasn't sure how to shape the neck, or the armholes. The caps of the sleeves terrified me. I re-knit the collar three times before it would sit the way I wanted it. By the time I finished the sweater and had sewn on the sleeves, I realized that the sleeves were to big and didn't work with the rest of the sweater. I pulled them out and started over.
In the end, after the hooks and eyes were sewn in and the sweater was done, I am pleased. It looks a lot like the idea I had, but translated into something I can actually wear, y'know when I need a heavy wool sweater again!
How about a couple more pictures?
That is a gorgeous sweater! Congratulations on such a successful design.
Posted by: Danielle | June 17, 2007 at 03:34 PM
Congratulations on a fabulous sweater, Katie! Are you going to write up the pattern for us?
Posted by: Elspeth | June 17, 2007 at 07:02 PM
It's gorgeous!! I loved the swatch when I saw it and the finished product is just amazing. I can't wait to see it in person (crossing fingers) and maybe getting the pattern (really crossing fingers).
Take care and keep us posted on Sudan.
Posted by: Courtney | June 18, 2007 at 12:17 AM
OOOOOOO PRETTY!!!
(sorry - studying for the bar has made me extra-stupid, so that's the best I could come up with early in the morning!)
but OOOOOOO!!!! PRETTY!!!!!!
Posted by: maeve | June 18, 2007 at 08:48 AM
Katie, my love, it is fabulous. And all in over a little more than a month's time...? I can't even finish a basic moss stitch tank in two months!
I marvel.
Posted by: Aimee | June 18, 2007 at 09:57 AM
*drool*
amazing. simply amazing.
Posted by: Ann | June 18, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Katie, that is stunningly gorgeous. The collar - that's my favorite part! You did a fantastic job on it (not that I am at ALL surprised).
PS - if Rowan needs a place to stay while you're in the Sudan, Leo and I are more than willing. He's family to Leo, after all!
Posted by: Steph | June 18, 2007 at 02:50 PM
What a beautiful creation your City Tweed is! Will you be able to get much wear out of it in Sudan? If not, I'd be delighted to keep it for you for the DC metro area's winters. ;-)
But seriously, safe travels to you. What an adventurous life you lead!
Posted by: Rossana | June 19, 2007 at 07:14 PM
Un-be-bleepin'-lievable!!!You are so utterly amazing. I'm not worthy.....
Posted by: LauraRN | June 20, 2007 at 09:00 PM