Earthtones Girl

Here it is Notre Dame De Grace…I wore it for the first time on Sunday and it got rave reviews…I will LIVE in this sweater. Not only is it comfortable, the yarn feels amazing. It’s pretty close to the perfect, all-purpose pullover. It’s simple, yet technically interesting. It did take a bit long to knit but that was me as well as the slowness of the double moss stitch, which I love the look of but it is a bit tedious.

Details:

Pattern: Notre Dame De Grace, Interweave Knits Summer ’07

Yarn: Blue Sky Worsted “Chocolate”, 10 skeins, 50/50 Alpaca/Merino

Needles: #8 Addi Turbo

Notes:

I really wanted “vents” on the sides so I cast on the front on one set of needles, then the back on another set, then using the joining method from Beth Brown-Reinsel’s book I knit away. It’s a strong join so I’m not worried about it being a stress point.

I had to alter the stitch count on the body by 2 stitches so with the remaining 2 stitches, one on each side, I put in a phoney seam a la Elizabeth. The effect is perfect.

These pictures are pretty good representations of the color…the label says chocolate but it’s more like a gray-ish-chocolate-ish color. It’s dark without being too dark.

I also made it longer than I usually do. After I’ve finished sweaters in the past I always want to kick myself for not making them long enough…then I’m pulling and tugging all the time.

Here’s one of my modifications, a little side vent to accommodate the gluteous maximus, that is muy maximus these days (and only going to get worse. Thanks Thanksgiving!). And the phoney seam. Here’s a close up. Taken at home later in the day. Sorry the picture is so dark.

I decided not to include the button on the neck. Just didn’t think it needed it and when I can avoid sewing I will.

Great neck and shoulder shaping with a touch of short rows. Just enough to keep you busy but so not overwhelming. Overall another awesome pattern from Interweave Knits.

I just picked up the Winter07 issue but I’m sorry to say I’m not so in love with it. Then again, sometimes I have to put it away then go back to it and it never fails I usually see something I missed on the first viewing…Right now I’m going to continue to finish up some other projects. Gotta get the slate clear for the new year. You’ll here about my new year’s eve/day rituals very soon.