Monday, December 12, 2016

a sweater to be

My one crafty goal this year was to knit a sweater. I've been dragging my feet on this project, probably due to fear of failure. Also, the expense of a hand knit sweater was a tough pill to swallow. On December 2nd, I ordered the yarn. Nothing like last minute! Fear of failure (and expense) aside, I'm jumping in with both feet. I didn't chicken out and go cheap on the yarn, although I was very close to doing so! (Yarn is Madelintosh Vintage in the color Fog.)

I will be attempting a beginner pattern called Harvest, by Tin Can Knits. (At least the pattern is free!)
This is what I've got so far! I'll be sure to let you know how the rest of it goes. Here's to learning something new!

If all else fails, my entire family can have matching hats and hand warmers. Everyone, especially my teenage boys, are hopeful the sweater is successful. Ha!

32 comments:

Bethany said...

You picked an amazing yarn!! It's my all-time favorite!

Ray and Jeanne said...

That yarn is gorgeous! I'm sure you'll do fine - if you can knit socks, you can knit a sweater. Can't wait to see the finished product! ~Jeanne

wapiti said...

What a gorgeous colour! I'm knitting the same Harvest-pattern-sweater. It's not very difficult pattern. Success!!!

Anne said...

Great yarn, and tin can knits are very helpful if you get into trouble.

Gale Bulkley said...

It looks like you're doing a great job. There are only 2 stitches in knitting - knit and purl. Everything else is just a manipulation of that.

Adrienne said...

Measure as you go along, and make sure the measurements are consistent with a sweater you already own and like the fit of. That's my top sweater-knitting advice! You chose very lovely yarn.

Dolly said...

You picked a beautiful yarn, and I think that was a very smart, if expensive, decision.

I tried to make myself a sweater once, and was using a very cheap yarn that I bought at Big Lots when I first started back to knitting. Not only did I give up on THAT ugly sweater, but then the yarn was useless for anything ELSE becausse IT WAS SO UGLY !

You'll do great....I have faith in your 'stick-to-it-iveness' !

DeeDee said...

If you can knit socks you can knit a sweater! And Tin Can Knits are some of the best patterns out there. Good luck!

Misty said...

Great yarn choice! I am sure it will be a lovely sweater. I have knit a lot of sweaters over the years and the best thing I have done for myself is to try the sweater on at various stages to see if it fits. There is nothing quite like wearing a beautiful sweater you have made!

Little Quiltsong said...

Love the yarn color you chose. You'll do great :)!

Chris said...

Ooh, I love Madelinetosh yarn. It's going to be a great sweater!

Unknown said...

Love that yarn! Madelinetosh does some incredible colours.

Di~ said...

Good luck, you are brave. The yarn looks beautiful! I just bought me a sweater at Costco that same color! :)

Granny Maud's Girl said...

You can do it! The first thing I ever knit (aged 15) was a sweater. They are the same as other knits; they just have a few more stitches.
Good call too on not going cheap on the yarn. If you are going to put all that time into making it, make it into something you will love (and not scratchy).

Judy H said...

I should really hate you...this has been added to my 'want to do' for me, my daughter and grand daughter! Now to decide on yarn and colors!

FlashinScissors said...

Oh what gorgeous wool! Good luck Amanda!
I have three knitted items I've started in the last couple of years ... I put them down while I stitched something.... and lo and behold I can't get back into them as I've lost my place!!!!!
Giggles from Barbara !!! xx
PS I'm sure you will finish it and no one will have to wear hats or gloves .... this time .......

jmj said...

I looked up the pattern, looks like fun I'm going to try it.... after the holidays :)

Dad Mom said...

Oh my goodness, that is going to be so pretty .

Sheila said...

You chose gorgeous yarn, I can't wait to see it finished!

Sam said...

One can not fail when one uses Madeline Tosh fibers. YUM!

Grandma Beth said...

One of my desires too/- for next year! You are inspiring! Using beautiful, quality yarn is very smart. I wasted three years making a cheap yarn sweater that cannot be blocked or enjoyed. I'll probably cut it up and bind it for a dollblanket or project bag! Live and learn! I also want to make your Birch Tree quilt-- next year! Bless you!

Carla said...

Madelinetosh is amazing! Enjoy the process......relax. Happy knitting!

Laura said...

I love the color of the yarn you are using - beautiful!

pennylanequilts said...

You got this! (You don't want to traumatize the family with matching accessories , even if the yarn is gorgeous!

Karen said...

Oh, yum!!

Suzanne said...

Hey friend! That yarn is beautiful and will be a lovely match with the pattern. Just a tip I've heard about hand dyed yarn, sometimes they vary in color even in the same dye lot so many people suggest alternating skeins to mask any subtle differences. I would hate for you to end up with a striped sweater if that's not what you intended. Hugs!

Tracybug Creative said...

It will be stunning!!!

Leanne Parsons said...

That yarn is so beautiful! Good luck with the sweater :)

Just Another Quilter said...

I just frogged some yarn for the second time. Trying a different pattern very similar to yours. This one is a top down with a raglan shoulder. I am quite enjoying it so far. The arm holes are coming up and make me just a little nervous. Keep plugging away, we all want to see more pictures.

Found this on a Ravelry group "We saw that for free"

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribtastic-cardi

Anitha said...

I am new to knitting too and this sure is set to inspire me, thank you!

GrammaBabs said...

Love the yarn color... the "finish" will either make or break the sweater. It is my favorite part as that was my "job" as a young person... Do your research if you can. There is not a lot out there about it. I find a crochet edging helpful... Good luck,, you are off to a wonderful start!!! I have never made socks and want so badly to try,, any hints?

Quilter Lois said...

Beautiful yarn, but as another commenter noted, with hand dyed yarn you will get a smoother overall color result if you alternate two skeins at the same time -- knit two rows with one skein, then knit the next two rows from the other. Skeins of hand dyed can be wildly different (which of course is their appeal!!) Good luck!