This is Twigs and Willows, from Alana Dakos' new book Botanical Knits. I knit mine out of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Pumpkin, a sadly discontinued colorway. This is my second sweater in Wool of the Andes, and I still think it is one of the best values in worsted yarn (especially if you get it during a color-themed sale).
If you follow that link, you might be a little surprised by how much my version differs from the original. I knit the 38.5" because the 35" would have given me zero ease and the pattern calls for 1-2 inches. Well, that went interestingly. I actually finished sewing the pieces together on Tuesday and was so distressed that it was so large that I shoved it in a bag and swore off of sweater knitting.
But then my buttons arrived. I ordered these from Gnome Acres and they came so very fast to save my sweater. On Thursday morning I got up early to sew them on and it all came together. The coziness of the sweater is magical. I wore it to work, I wore it home, and I am wearing it now as I write this. I love the simplistic nature of its oversized slouchiness paired with the femininity of the branches.
I guess like a lot of things that I knit, this sweater is an example of how you can do everything right and still end up with something completely different. I got gauge, I knit to pattern, I made sure all parts were the correct lengths, and it still came out as something unexpected. But I love it! It's perfect for this crazy weather that is sixty degrees one day and thirty the next. I can actually pull it on without unbuttoning it, so it truly is the perfect, cozy-in-the-library sweater.
To see more lovely FOs, check out the gang over at Tami's Amis!
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I know what how you feel when you get a something finished and it isn't how you imagined it. It is crushing. I'm so pleased that the buttons made all the difference to you. It looks like a lovely slouchy, cozy and comforting cardigan.
ReplyDeleteYou've just lived through one of my recurring knitting nightmares ... you do everything right, you swatch, you measure and you do the maths ... and the fit is still not what you intend. I suppose that's why I knit socks and avoid other garments. Your sweater looks fab on you. And my husband would heartily approve of the efficiency of not needing to button or unbutton!
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same collegiate fantasies! That and sitting around in a circle on the grass, discussing something intellectual with friends. Now I'm getting all academically nostalgic, I miss college...
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty cardigan, and I think you will probably be pleased in the long run that it is not really close fitting.
ReplyDelete(I swear I commented yesterday, but it's mysteriously not here, so trying to remember what I said)
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same fantasies about college! That and sitting on a lawn having deep intellectual discussions. Love the sweater, now I'm feeling all nostalgic about school...
Thank you so much for your comment. You did comment before, but I was slow in pushing it through because I find when I try to moderate comments from my phone they are often accidentally deleted.
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