Look what I finished just in time to wear to Rhinebeck!
Pattern: Kaino by Norah Gaughan, Volume 1 (Urban Layers) designed for Berroco.
Yarn: Ultra Alpaca in peat mix (6277), just a smidgen over four balls for the 34" size on US7 and US8 needles.
Notes:
Firstly about the pattern. Kaino is described as easy and it most definitely is, the sweater is made using stockinette, ribbing and a few decreases here and there. That said, the instructions for the left front are very confusing if not wrong. I haven't seen anyone else on Ravelry who mentioned it but please correct me, 32 + 47 does not equal 80. In the end I left 48 stitches in the stockinette region and 32 in rib which worked out fine given the number of decreases the pattern specified. Also, the decreases on the neck are just plain bizzare and leave a weird pointy triangle seam at the back of the neck. I did knit to the instructions but when it came to seaming, I ripped out the point back to the original 32 stitches and did a three-needle bind off. Without a picture of the back of the neck I'm not really sure what the designer was going for, but the stright seam looks great.
As for the yarn, Ultra Alpaca is lovely and soft, and has fabulous yardage for the price. But it sheds a lot and blocking it is akin to bathing a dog. The fabric also pills a lot, the price you pay for softness. I wore the vest once to the event which has not happened yet (remember, we're imagining this is pre-Rhinebeck) and the side where I carried my bag was roughened up almost immediately. The sweater has already been shaved once. I know the combination of jeans underneath and bag on top was probably a little rough but since that particular combination is my usual MO, I'm not likely to change my wardrobe for a sweater.
All those quibbles aside, I love the finished sweater! It's warm and soft, the colour is great and although it's not a shape I'd normally pick out I think it's flattering a fits well. A winner all round!
Yarn: Ultra Alpaca in peat mix (6277), just a smidgen over four balls for the 34" size on US7 and US8 needles.
Notes:
Firstly about the pattern. Kaino is described as easy and it most definitely is, the sweater is made using stockinette, ribbing and a few decreases here and there. That said, the instructions for the left front are very confusing if not wrong. I haven't seen anyone else on Ravelry who mentioned it but please correct me, 32 + 47 does not equal 80. In the end I left 48 stitches in the stockinette region and 32 in rib which worked out fine given the number of decreases the pattern specified. Also, the decreases on the neck are just plain bizzare and leave a weird pointy triangle seam at the back of the neck. I did knit to the instructions but when it came to seaming, I ripped out the point back to the original 32 stitches and did a three-needle bind off. Without a picture of the back of the neck I'm not really sure what the designer was going for, but the stright seam looks great.
As for the yarn, Ultra Alpaca is lovely and soft, and has fabulous yardage for the price. But it sheds a lot and blocking it is akin to bathing a dog. The fabric also pills a lot, the price you pay for softness. I wore the vest once to the event which has not happened yet (remember, we're imagining this is pre-Rhinebeck) and the side where I carried my bag was roughened up almost immediately. The sweater has already been shaved once. I know the combination of jeans underneath and bag on top was probably a little rough but since that particular combination is my usual MO, I'm not likely to change my wardrobe for a sweater.
All those quibbles aside, I love the finished sweater! It's warm and soft, the colour is great and although it's not a shape I'd normally pick out I think it's flattering a fits well. A winner all round!
truly gorgeous!! So going in the queue!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteit's definitely gorgeous! and looked lovely on you too :) glad i was able to meet you!
ReplyDeleteit's beautiful! a perfect fit :)
ReplyDeleteStunning. You look great in it! Hope you are doing well..
ReplyDelete