Mr. Greenjeans, in Purple

 

photo above by Lucky Magazine, 2009; photo below by Chris, 2010

 
 

Because we all want to wear a 3/4 length sleeve heavy wool sweater for summer!

Pattern: Mr. Greenjeans, from Knitty

Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted, 5 skeins Elderberry Wine

Needles: 7 & 8 circulars, and dpns for the sleeves

Mods: Did not switch to smaller size needles for ribbing in body of sweater, per advice from Ravelry

Thoughts: This seamless, top-down sweater became a real pain when the second skein started to pool in spots. My OCD went into overdrive. I ripped back and alternated skeins, and still had to manipulate the stripe colors in some places, so there were a lot more ends to weave in than there should have been. If I were to knit this again, I'd either use the recommended yarn, or knit it in a solid.

The directions call for casting on 8 stitches under the arms, and I think it made the top of the sweater too big and blousy. It's hard to tell right now, with only a T-shirt underneath, but since it was 80+ degrees and humid when we took our photos (a model has to make sacrifices, right? :) ), there was no way I was going to get out the turtleneck that I'll probably wear with it in colder weather. Next time I come across a pattern where you cast on the stitches for under the arm, I'll add less and see if that reduces the bulkiness. Other than that, I'm pleased with the final project, especially the waist shaping.

I should note that I didn't knit this project because I was inspired by the first photo above; it was actually a fun coincidence that I wanted to play with. I'm always curious what makes some knitting projects "fashion" and others "craft."

So, so, so glad this is finally done, and I can work on my skirt full-time! I'm into the second panel, the block pattern now. I'm also still working on the beaded seashore scarf.

 

I went against my seasonal religion and bought the Early F-ll issue of Vogue Knitting. There are some very summery pastel pink, yellow, and purple projects that I like, along with the more somber, heavy, dark ones. If you've seen the issue, what projects are you considering?

Comments

[Sarah]

Greenjeans looks great on you! Congratulations on an FO! I will have a look at the Vogue preview, I don't think I saw that one yet.

[Mrs SDC]

Debby,

It looks fabulous! I think you just motivated me to start working on my mine again.

Thanks,

MrsSDC

[jillian]

It's beautiful! Love that purple. And brava to you for modeling it in that weather!

[2paw]

You look fabulous and I love your new cardi: nice modelling too.
I love pooling, I live for pooling wool. I know that non-poolers are always distraught though: all those ends!!!

[bettyc]

Your sweater looks great, and sitting pose came out great also!
It's warm now, but fall will be here soon enough and you will make good use of it.

I got the Vogue issue because I'm a subscriber, and there's only one sweater I'm thinking of queuing up and that's #3, the mid-length cardi.

[Chris]

It looks great on you!!! And you don't even look sweaty. ;)

[sprite]

Adorable! You're going to be so in love with it come the colorful leaf season -- or even for chillier late August evenings out walking on the beach.

[Kara]

You are just like the model! Love that purple on you. It is so nice to get a project done.

[robin]

It turned out great!! The waist shaping hits you in just the right spot - did you modify it or knit it as directed? The color is very nice for you too.

I like that early F*ll issue (and as soon as I received it I was amazed - WHAT? F&LL? It's only early June?!? - early summer in my book) but I'm not sure which projects I'll knit. I have to go on Ravelry and look at them/add them to queue. I never remember the design #s.

[Jodi]

Oh, it's really cute! I love the cable details, and not going down to a smaller needle looks like it worked out beautifully.

[Meredith]

It looks great!

[Kristen]

What a fantastic job, it looks perfect on you!
There are soooo many knits that I love in the Early Fall VK.

[Emily]

so pretty!

[Melissa T.]

Hooray on your new FO! Looks great, and what a lovely color on you!

[Sara]

The sweater turned out very pretty! I like the way it fits!

[Erin]

That purple is the perfect color you you! Looks very pretty.

[Julie]

Your Mr. Greenjeans looks beautiful! Love the color on you.

[Pam]

Love your new sweater -- the standing pose shows off the nice waist shaping -- very pretty.

[Bubblesknits]

It looks fabulous on you! Love it! :)

[Dorothy W.]

The sweater looks great! And it's got to be SO nice to have it finished so now you can concentrate on your skirt. What a great feeling.

[madalyn]

Wow, it looks great! Congratulations on finishing it!

[Beth]

Your sweater looks great! You did a lovely job knitting it.

[Sonya]

I love your Mr. Greenjeans, especially in purple. Well worth all the yarn changing and end weaving.