OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern: Eyelet Pullover by Connie Chang Chinchio, from Classic Elite’s “Sunday Brunch”
• Yarn: Elann Lana Pura (wool) in Cypress, 1110 yds
• Gauge/Needles/Size: 5.75 spi on US 4, after blocking, 34″ bust
• Time to knit: 4 weeks in December 09/January 10

It’s finally done!  This was intended to be my Christmas sweater.  Oh well, the color works perfectly for St. Patrick’s Day, too.  Happy St. Patrick’s! 

 The pattern is quite well written, detailed with no errata.  It’s not a beginner project though.  There are many pieces shaped with the clever short rows, and the knitter must be patient.  You also have to be confident with alterations to fit your body…. this is one of those patterns where fit is critical.  I used short rows on the front upper chest to ensure that the band would fall under my bust.  The seaming is not for the faint of heart, and it was a bit challenging to get everything aligned properly at center front.  The knitting took a month, but the seaming/finishing took twice as long, given distraction by other projects. I found the collar directions a bit confusing… thankfully Shutterhoney on Rav set me straight.  I used a snap on each side of the button to make sure the overlap lined up nicely.

I have mixed feelings on the yarn.  Lana Pura is a nice enough wool, very soft, but it feels like knitting with cotton.  The yarn has many plies loosely spun together and is quite splitty and snags easily.  The crochet finishing (reverse single crochet all along the hem and neck slit) was a sort of torture, given the splitiness.  After blocking, the stitches became more even and full.  The gauge grew on par with my results blocking my swatch, 6 spi to 5.75 spi.  I could have stretched it more, but at a gauge of 5.75, I get zero ease which works for me.  Also, I had to pin the hem flat during blocking, but once dry, it retained the finish and does not roll.  Overall, I’m very happy with the blocking and no longer considering destashing the other Lana Pura I bought.

This wasn’t the easiest project, but I am so pleased with the results.  It’s warm and comfortable, plus the style is pretty and unique.