OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern: Gathered Pullover, Interweave Knits Winter 07
• Yarn: Knitpicks Telemark (wool), Delphinium Heather, 8.5 balls
• Size/Gauge: 2nd size at smaller gauge (5.0 spi on US 6)= 34″
• Time to knit: 2 weeks in September 08    

I fell between two sizes, and to obtain a sweater with the fit I wanted, I did a lot of pre knitting math.  Considering this is knit rather loosely, I didn’t want too much negative ease, because then it might be transparent.  Nor did I want too much positive ease; I was afraid the sweater would look sloppy and/or fall off my shoulders.  I liked my swatch at 5.0 spi, and decided to knit the second size (36″) to obtain a 34″ chest (zero ease).  My first mod was knitted hems.  I moved up the v neck, about 1″, for modesty and wardrobe versatility.  I rewrote the neck and sleeve cap shaping to account for my smaller row gauge, and had to add an extra 1/4″ of height to the sleeve cap.  Even so, the sleeve cap had to stretch to fit into the armscye.  The effect of this was to drag the v neck outwards.  For the neckline finishing, I opted for a single crochet, which I had to redo, because the first time, my edging flared out around the shoulders.  Not good.  On my second try, I used a smaller hook, and crocheted into 2 out of every 3 stitches along the portion from shoulder seam to about 3″ down the vneck.   After blocking, it was fine.

As for the pattern, my favorite part was definitely the cable motif.  The yarn was beautiful, with an incredible depth of color- a light blue violet with pink and gray highlights.  It’s not the softest, but it’s not terribly itchy either.  I don’t consider telemark a true sportweight, but it worked nicely at worsted gauge. 

This was a quick knit, just about 10 days, and I’m sure it will get lots of play in my wardrobe.  I don’t have anything else in this color.  Overall, success!