Pattern: Forever Tweed by Wendy Bernard, Knitscene Spring 2009
Yarn: Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran in Thistle, 5 1/4 skeins
Needles: 9 & 10 circulars, 9 dpns for sleeves
Modifications: Added 2" to body because this is a cropped sweater, and I am long-waisted
This sweater took so much longer than it should have, because there is a mistake in the pattern not noted in the usual places. After finishing the collar, the directions say to increase every other row 15 times (for a total of 30 rows), and that section should measure 8” when completed (according to the schematic). However, the gauge indicates there should be approx. 45 rows, not 30 as the directions imply. I increased every third row instead of every other row, which for the Rowan yarn, worked out just fine.
I love this sweater! I became obsessed with the yarn color when I first saw it, and still adore the moody purple. The length works well, hitting at just above my hips. Most important of all, it's WARM. I may have to live in it until mid-May. :)
This is a hideous photo, but since I cannot seem to get a better one at the moment (oh Sun, where art thou?), we'll go with it. Chris took it for me after the last Bethel bike race, and the sweater is terribly wrinkled after being mashed inside my coat all afternoon. Please ignore the knotted "Bethel hair" and squinty face I get after a day in the brisk winds there. I'm only including it so you can get an idea of the sweater fit; it's a boxy 80s shape that somehow doesn't swallow me. The pattern calls for extra-long sleeves that come to about mid-palm; I like them, but you might want to roll the cuff back, or knit the sleeves shorter.
The best part about finishing this is that now I can work on spring/summer projects. I'm cranking out rows on my pink Vogue skirt, and have again picked up Paloma, abandoned out of frustration two summers ago. If you've ever heard of "Purl in the Row Below" (PRB)," or know how to do this stitch when the previous row is a K2Tog, YO row, I beg your assistance. Otherwise, I'm headed to the wonderful not-so-LYS for help night really soon.
Have a great weekend!
Your new jumper looks fabulous,l the colour and style suit you!! I have not ever met a purl into the row below
Posted by: 2paw | April 16, 2011 at 12:42 AM
It looks wonderful on you, Debby. Did you wear it last night- it got so cold! Don't apologize for the photo- you look lovely!
That PRB stitch sounds tricky following a lace row. Maybe fellow Paloma knitters on Ravelry can help.
Posted by: Kristen | April 16, 2011 at 09:19 AM
The purple sweater looks great! Congrats on finishing it!
I love my Paloma -- I wore it many times in the past 2 years and will wear it again this spring and summer. I must have done that purl-in-the-row below thing but I don't remember what I did. I must have just picked up the loop from the stitch below and purled into it.
Posted by: betty | April 16, 2011 at 04:37 PM
The new sweater looks great on you and I love the color! Congrats on finishing it!!!
Posted by: Sarah | April 16, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Ok, I don't know what you are talking about. You look so cute in that picture. I love the squint and everything!
The sweater is pretty great. And it looks so good on you. Way to knit past the pattern mistakes.
Posted by: Kara | April 17, 2011 at 12:38 PM
What a perfect sweater!!! I love it - great job! (I really need to get back to knitting again - and your sweater is inspiring me . . . )
Posted by: Karen | April 17, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Gorgeous color, and it looks great on you!
Posted by: Meredith | April 17, 2011 at 05:54 PM
The picture is just fine...you look great! The sweater looks awesome on you. : )
Posted by: Bubblesknits | April 22, 2011 at 12:39 AM
I love all your pictures--especially the alpacas--but that pink scarf you're wearing is SO pretty! Makes it my favorite picture! You look very bright and happy :)
Glad you decided to go on the yarn crawl! Nothing like a sofa session in a knit shop!
[glad the brochures arrived! was SO anticipating that, and sending good thoughts. glad to hear they turned out ok!!!]
Posted by: Sarah | April 23, 2011 at 12:31 PM