Well, it’s the first day of summer, it’s hot, and just about the last thing I want to do today is think about wool. Here in Northern California we are finally feeling summer weather and we’re expecting a high in the 90s today. I know you in the DC area are laughing at me for complaining, but keep in mind there’s no air conditioning in my house (or in many other houses in the area)!
Regardless, here I am with a sweater in progress to share with you. This is another sample sweater that I’ve fallen in love with and don’t want to give up. I am enjoying the pattern and I love the yarn and soon it will be headed over to fibre space so you can admire it for yourself.
I’m almost done with this pullover, called Leaving, by the prolific and talented Anne Hanson, from the Winter 2010 issue of Twist Collective. The neat thing about this pattern is that it has instructions for both a cardigan and a pullover version, so you can choose which one you like better. The textured pattern is on all the pieces and is just different enough to keep me interested without being too confusing.
The sweater is knit in pieces and sewn up at the end – which makes for easier summer knitting as you don’t have to drag a whole entire sweater into your lap every time you want to knit.
I’m knitting it in Miss Babs‘ newest yarn, Northumbria DK. The color is Luna Granite.
The Northumbria has been great to work with. It’s 100% Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) wool. BFL is smooth and fine with great stitch definition. BFL also has a lustrous silky drape after it’s blocked, which you can see in the photos above. This is going to be a superb sweater yarn. Because of the sheen, it takes color beautifully. Luna Granite doesn’t have a ton of variegation, but it works up in subtle shades of dove grey with hints of lavender.
I have wet-blocked the front and back so they are ready to be sewn up and I can add the collar. Here you can see the front and back with one of the sleeves – what a difference blocking makes to open up the pattern and smooth out any imperfections in the knitting!
Now I’m off to knit up my second sleeve, put the whole thing together, and drop it in the mail. We’ll give you a heads up when it’s in the shop and you can come by and check out my sweater. The fibre space crew is unpacking the boxes of Northumbria DK direct from Miss Babs later this afternoon.