FO Update: Love Note Sweater

Ah, the ubiquitous Love Note. This ultra-popular sweater pattern from designers Alexa Ludeman and Emily Wessel—the duo of design geniuses behind Tin Can Knits—swept through the knitting community like a fluffy storm when first released in May 2019. Six months (and almost 1500 Ravelry projects) later, it’s still going strong. 

I cast on my version on September 29, and considered it “finished-finished-finished" (to borrow from the “Knitmore Girls”) on October 20.* So, three weeks. It might have been done sooner had I not put it on time-out for five or six days while I stressed out about sleeve and body length. More on that later…

In addition to being fun to make, this sweater liberated some “vintage” yarn from my stash, which feels Oh, so satisfying. The pattern calls for two strands, a fingering-weight wool and a lace-weight mohair/silk blend, which you hold together throughout.  

I used Dream in Color “Baby” (lace/light-fingering weight, 100% superwash Merino, now-discontinued ) in the November Muse colorway, a tonal chocolate brown with navy and burgundy speckles. Holding this together with Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Liqueur yielded a rich, wine color that’s exactly what I wanted. And the fabric is so soft and fuzzy I can hardly stop petting it. 

The fit and style of the finished sweater are terrific, but the jury’s still out on a couple of issues that have nothing at all to do with the perfectly-written pattern and everything to do with my own personal preferences: 

1. Kidsilk Haze sometimes sheds and irritates my nose and eyes. My hope is that holding it together with another yarn will offset that tendency. I’ve worn it a couple of times and it’s been OK, so far. So…fingers crossed.

2. Despite lengthening the body and sleeves by several inches, it still feels a bit short. The sweater is meant to be cropped, but I want a lower hem, and like my wrists to be covered when it's cold out.

Regarding the length: Right off the blocking wires, the fit was perfect, but the fabric seems to be floofing back up again (a technical term). A Google search while I was knitting revealed that superwash wool grows approximately 17 - 20% when washed and worn, though, so I’ll give the yarn a while to relax. I’d really, really, really like to avoid undoing the bind-off (JSSBO) and ribbing to extend the hem, as mohair is a major pain to unravel!

Unblocked

If I could go back and give some advice to Past Me, only change I'd make would be to skip the provisional cast-on in the beginning, use a stretchy CO of some sort, and just start with the neckline ribbing. A few knitters on Ravelry did this, and were happy with the results. 

Or, if I wanted to stick with what the pattern recommends, I'd do the provisional CO the traditional way (holding the live stitches on waste yarn). For this sweater, I worked the cast-on over a circular needle, which is great in theory, but a little tricky when you go back to pick up dual strands of fingering and laceweight mohair/silk. 

The Love Note pattern itself is wonderful—simple, quick to knit, clearly written, and size-inclusive (yay!)—the way Tin Can Knits patterns tend to be. It might be fun to knit one up in a DK-weight yarn. Something with a little alpaca blended in would be cozy, with just enough fuzz to blur the edges, without being super-fluffy. 

Please...just look at the sweater!

I do apologize for the sketchy images. My apartment has a nice view, but it is so dark! Someday soon, before Winter really sets in, I’ll ask a friend to help me get some nicer FO photos in natural light. 

*For the uninitiated, finished-finished-finished means a project is off the needles, blocked, and has all the ends woven in. If buttons or a zipper are involved, those would have to be done, too. In other words, as finished as you can possibly make it. And if you're looking for something to listen to while you knit, the Knitmore Girls' podcast is good fun, and has a backlog of 500+ episodes!

FO Update: Love Note Sweater

Violetta: My pattern -- on the cover!

It's my own pattern...on the cover of Yarn Forward magazine! Yipee!!!

Violetta is a tailored little jacket that I designed to see you through these transitional seasons. Knit up in Rowan Belle Organic DK (color: Peony), a lovely blend of 50 percent organic wool and 50 percent organic cotton, this sweater offers just the right amount of warmth without adding bulk.

With a broad range of sizes, visible "Princess seams," cool stitch pattern, optional pockets, and enough ease for layering, Violetta just might become your go-to sweater this year!

If your bookstore carries Yarn Forward, check it out -- it's a great magazine (thus why I submitted patterns to them). And if you have problems finding it, you can always pick up an electronic copy at Yudu.

Happy knitting!

Violetta: My pattern -- on the cover!

Swatch Me!

Over the past few weeks I've encountered several knitters who expressed concern about a current project. "I can't use these needles...they aren't big enough," said one. "Why does mine look different from yours," asked another, while the third simply stated, "I don't like the fabric I'm getting."

My question, to each, upon hearing their plaintive cries for help: Did you knit a gauge swatch? And what do you think they answered? Right. Not one had worked a swatch, though like good knitters they had the decency to look sheepish (surprise pun!) about it.

Lest you think I'm a judgmental b**ch, let me tell you that: (a) I'm intending a teasing tone, not a stupid-people tone here, and (b) I myself have sung the no-gauge-swatch blues on several occasions.

For instance, my Shapely Tank, a free pattern from White Lies Designs, turned out to be neither shapely nor a tank. I substituted a Rowan cotton-and-silk yarn for the one called for in the pattern -- before I understood the characteristics of different fibers -- and ended up with a baggy tunic destined for unraveling.

Had I swatched AND washed AND blocked AND hung my swatch up overnight to test the effects of gravity on the fabric, I might still be wearing that top, my first-ever "sweater."

Now that I've been designing for a while, I know the importance -- the complete and total necessity -- of swatching. When I work up a design, I make a swatch, including washing and blocking it; then I base my final pattern numbers on the gauge measured from that little piece-o-knit. So I want knitters to swatch before making one of my designs, because if they don't, they're likely to be unhappy with the results.

My love of the swatch has carried over into my personal knitting life, as well. Recently, for example, I spent a goodly amount of money on some gorgeous Classic Elite "Soft Linen" and a Dolce Handknits pattern for a cute summer cardigan.

I know my gauge when working with DK-weight yarns, and wanted to jump right in and start knitting. But the yarn wasn't cheap (to me, anyway) and I knew I'd be sick if I did all that knitting and found the sweater didn't fit.

So I worked up a 6 x 6" gauge swatch, washed, and blocked it. Then I hung it from a curtain-top with a couple of clothespins to see if it stretched. After all that, when I cast on, I felt pretty sure that I'd end up with the perfect, crisp, summer sweater to chase the icy chill of even the frostiest air conditioning.

Now, I know there are many, many knitters who just can't be persuaded to knit gauge swatches. Maybe they're just too excited to spend the extra time, or (my favorite excuse) they'll say, "I always knit to gauge." But whose gauge do they knit to? The truth is: There is no set-in-stone, universal gauge. Honestly.

Every designer -- every single knitter -- knits to his or her own gauge, depending on yarn weight, fiber type, stitch pattern, needle size, needle material (bamboo, metal, cassein?), and even the enthusiasm with which they block their garments. Some people stretch the hell out of their sweaters and pin them, while others just pat them into shape.

So next time you consider casting on a new project -- unless you've knit it before with the same yarn OR you know from dozens of pairs of socks that 64 sts on a 1.5mm needle always fits you OR you're making a scarf or other non-size-dependent item -- please consider knitting and "dressing" a gauge swatch.

Make it fun. Have a little swatching party with some friends or just put your favorite movie on the telly and crack open your tastiest treats. Hold the booze, though, at least until you've finished knitting the swatch.

Because as lovely as it may be, a wine-induced glow is bound to increase your risk of knitting at an ultra-relaxed gauge. Once you've bound off, though, pop those corks. And while you're at it, raise a glass to the oft-maligned gauge swatch, won't you?

Swatch Me!

Destressed, Distressed Neck Warmer: New Knitting Pattern

Now available for download on Ravelry!

This is a simple lacy little cowl that you can pull over your head when there's a chill in the air. And the lovely colors available in laceweight yarns these days means everyone can find a flattering hue! I love this neck warmer/smoke ring/scarf/wimple/what-have-you: It's nostalgic and sweet, yet it imparts an air of intrigue and mystery...

I hope you like it, too!



DESTRESSED, DISTRESSED NECK WARMER
Difficulty level: Easy

Finished measurements: Approx. 17 inches long; 35 inches around.

Yarn: One skein Rowan Kidsilk Haze (70% mohair/30% silk, 229 yds/25g)

Needles: One set 24” US#8 and one set 24” US#10 circular needles

Notions: Yarn/tapestry needle

Gauge: 24 sts x 30 rows = 4 inches (Gauge is not crucial for this project.)

COST: $5.00

You can use PayPal (my account: KnitSix@gmail.com) or send me a check. Once your payment's complete, I'll send you a PDF file. If you don't have means to print the pattern, I will be happy to mail you a paper copy. Thank you!

Destressed, Distressed Neck Warmer: New Knitting Pattern

Alas...

...poor Shapely Tank. I knitted you. I blocked you. I wore you. I unraveled you.


In what incarnation will you appear next, lovely, drapey Rowan Luxury Cotton? Whisper what you want to be in my ear, and I will knit you up again. This time in a smaller size. After all, you ARE mostly cotton.

Meanwhile, I've finished Soleil in Rowan Calmer (it fits wonderfully!), and one pair of cozy winter in-the-house socks, in navy blue Dale Sisik. (FTR: I love Sisik. It's fluffy and warm. Just a little itchy, though. Hopefully a nice bath will soften it up a bit. Maybe with a tiny bit of conditioner...Unless I get my hands on some Eucalan. I really need a bottle of that, and a nice bag of dried lavender. I worry about my woolens--especially the ones I've worked so hard to create!)

I've also made several ball-band dishcloths for myself and for family and friends. AND I've been swatching the yarn Karida and I dyed a few weeks ago, to see how they look when knitted.

We've both been happy with what we've done. In fact, after batch #1, Karida moved forward and dyed some final colorways--Neighborhood Fiber Company's first offerings. They'll soon be on the market! Exciting...

OTN:
- Clapotis: Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk (a luscious, juicy violet)
- Short ribbed socks (my own design): Aurora 8 (rich eggplant)
- Argyle Tea Cozy (adapted from the one in Sally Melville's "The Knit Stitch": Blue Sky Sport Weight Alpaca (dusky merlot, pesto green, and a dash of mustard yellow)
- Tubular Scarf (from AlterKnits): Rowan Kidsilk Haze (in a bright raspberry color to cheer me up in winter) THIS IS NOT AN EXCITING KNIT, AND IT TAKES FOREVER! (Oh, but it will be worth the wait...)
- Linen Hand Towel (Mason-Dixon style, but with a different stitch pattern): Louet-Sales Euroflax (champagne and willow)

So why do I feel like I'm in a knitting funk? Some kind of ennui descended upon me last week. So on top of being exhausted most of the time, I also feel less than enthused about most of what I'm working on (knitting-wise). I'm sure it will pass...The cure might be starting to work in earnest on the Master Hand Knitter Program, which has suffered back-burner status recently.

Onward. The honey-colored light of autumn beckons...the days of knitting in the sun are once again upon us!

Alas...

Shapely Tank. Shapely? Hmmm...

Shapely Tank, huh?

I finished this in July, and wore it twice.

I'm obviously uncomfortable having my photo taken, unlike some of the really gorgeous bloggers out there...

Anyway, the first time, it looked a bit big, but kind of OK. The second time, I had to wear a tank top UNDER my shapely tank...and NOT because I'm one of those people who has to layer everything (I think layering t-shirts and tanks is a bit "done," but that's just my opinion).

The Shapely Tank had morphed into The Unshapely Tunic!!!

Rowan's Luxury Cotton DK was only slightly different from the yarn the pattern called for, and my gauge was right on target. I know because I checked it obsessively from bottom to top.

My stitches were even, lined up like little soldiers. The short rows were perfect. And I am the queen of compulsive finishing techniques...decreases lined up at the seams, trim neckline, and (my own touch) a three-needle bind off at the shoulders, with the seam on the outside, mimicking the neck and armhole edging.

But alas, it was not to be.

My advice to anyone making the Shapely Tank? Go for the negative ease. Really negative. I'd go four inches smaller than your regular size. And decrease more at the shoulders--the straps were wide, more "corporate shell" than "sexy summer top." Or just go for Sizzle instead.

Live and learn.

Shapely Tank. Shapely? Hmmm...