One Week In The Making

Pattern: Drops Jacket.

Yarn & Needles: RYC Soft Tweed in Kingfisher, just short of 10 balls for the size small knit at the "Silke-Alpaca" gauge on size US9 Options.

Modifications: My modifications were mostly based on what I thought should have been the translation into English. Instead of "casting off" on stitch each side to decrease, I K1 (selvedge stitch) SSK and K2Tog K1 at the decrease edges. The same technique was applied at the arm holes to make a smooth edge for easier seaming. There are also four button holes although in the end I only used three of the pretty buttons I got from here.


Verdict: To be honest this is not a shape I would even look twice at in the store but, I like it! It reminds me of my German grandmother who was very much a lady. The cut and the collar make me think of the wool tweed jackets she wore in the photographs I've seen of her in the 50s and 60s. To me this equals class, it makes me feel ladylike and that doesn't happen very often!

The yarn was also a revelation. When I was knitting this into Inishbeg I really wasn't sold, I felt like I was knitting with fat strips of polar fleece. But, at this much tighter gauge and after a good soak in Kookaburra, the yarn has become gloriously soft, supple and has a pretty silk sheen. I think the entire bag of 10 balls cost $40 at a Webs closeout, it's just a shame they don't have any pretty colours left! Might have to stalk some people's stashes on Ravelry, but no! Stash-busting, remember....

I know just about anyone who's anyone has this pattern in their queue and I'm telling ya, just go for it! It's fast, pretty and dang, why the hell not?