I can’t make up my mind. I have had this KAL Challenge planned out since last fall, and I still haven’t come to a decision on my pattern. I have scoured Ravelry. I have gone through pattern books. I have asked for favorites on The Loopy Ewe group on Facebook. And still … I’m undecided. Our First Quarter KAL Challenge is to knit a sweater. We haven’t had a sweater challenge since we did the Dream in Color Classy one about two years ago. It’s time, again! I have had my yarn picked out for a month. I’m using String Theory DK in Black Cherry. I do love Lisa’s Central Park Hoodie and Melanie’s Chinese Lace Pullover. Both of those caught my eye way back then, and the photos still make me want to knit them. Of course I have queued quite a few more in the meantime. I think the thing with sweaters is that in my mind, they are a much bigger time commitment than a pair of socks. I never stress over sock patterns, because I’ll finish one and start in on another. For some reason, committing to a sweater pattern makes me feel like I can only pick one a year and it makes me indecisive. FPS. For the DC challenge, I knit up a Mr. Greenjeans and I love that sweater. It was very do-able for an inexperienced sweater knitter. So – pick a sweater pattern and come knit with us! Since this is a bit of a longer knit, we’ll leave this open until May 1st. (We will, however, have a new challenge go up in April to coincide with the beginning of the Second Quarter. They’ll just have to overlap a bit.)
We need you to vote on all of the entries from our Fourth Quarter ’09 Challenge, where I asked you to knit a shawl. There are over 100 photos in that gallery for you to look through – wow. You all did such beautiful work. Please take a look at the photos and email to tell us your vote for the “Reader’s Choice” award. We give a Loopy gift certificate to the winner of that, and we also do a random drawing among all entries for a second gift certificate. We’ll take your votes (support AT theloopyewe DOT com) through next Monday and then will announce the winners.
Back to the new challenge – in order to participate, pick any sweater pattern (or vest, or tunic) that you’d like to make. The yarn needs to be a line that we carry here at The Loopy Ewe (although if you actually bought that yarn elsewhere, that’s ok. I know many of you have stashes to work from.) If you do need to purchase yarn for this KAL, we are offering you a 20% discount on the yarn for one sweater project. Just leave us an order note that you’re participating in the KAL Challenge and tell us which yarn in that order you’ll be using for it, and we’ll adjust the price on your invoice. (Note – if you are going for the $75 free shipping level, make sure that this discount won’t put you below $75.) This offer is good on an order placed between 1/18 – 1/31, for those of you who want to participate in the KAL. Don’t forget to leave an order note for us.
Just in time for sweater knitting, we put up a full re-stock on Dream in Color Classy. We also have Malabrigo Worsted, Noro Silk Garden Worsted, Cascade 220, Fiesta Boomerang, Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted, and Madelinetosh Worsted in stock. (We do have more Madelinetosh Worsted shipping out to us next week, but I’m not sure it will be here in time for the discount. No promises, but we’ll do our best. In the meantime, we also have a new Tosh Sock order enroute to us already, and the new Pashmina base coming after that. Fun things to look forward to.) And of course there are lots and lots of DK and fingering weight options for your sweaters as well. There are some really fun sweater patterns in those weights.
In addition to the DC Classy re-stock today, we also added in a re-stock of Dream in Color Smooshy, Lane Borgosesia Cashwool, new Trekking colors (#417-421), a luscious new merino/alpaca/nylon sock yarn from Berroco, new Berroco Sox colors, Lorna’s Laces Pearl, Alpaca With a Twist Fino, and more Atenti bags. (And might I point out, those Atenti bags are perfect for carting around sweater projects. Ask me how I know. Isn’t it helpful that I sprinkled a few photos of them in this blog post?) Also coming soon – our 2010 Valentine Kits – watch for them in a couple of weeks!
Knitting Daughter went back to college today, so the holiday season is officially over. (I like that it lasted a long time.) Zoe came to Loopy with me this afternoon, but she’s not very helpful. She likes to be in front of the computer screen while I’m trying to work. Or maybe she just misses these two kids like I do.
Our January Blog Contest question: Do you have a favorite sweater/vest/tunic pattern? Or are you not a sweater knitter? I’ll use the random number generator to draw a winner from your comments, and I have Wollmeise to give away for the prizes! We’ll announce the winners next Monday.
Sheri sorryforthelonglongblogposttoday.Toomuchtotell!
I love the Mr. Greenjeans sweater – works up so easily 🙂
Two favorites and I’ve made both of them several times. Central Park Hoodie and the February Lady Sweater. And it’ll be February soon!!
I loved knitting Mr. Greenjeans, and currently love the Tea Leaves Cardigan pattern! Both look wonderful in DIC Classy!
Altough I have yet to knit a sweater I have several in my queue. I love 3/4 or half sleeve cardigans in particular so at the top of my list is Something Red by Wendy Bernard. Followed closely by the Alpaca Pleats Jacket by Connie Chang Chinchio and the Minimalist Cardigan by Ruthie Nussbaum.
Sheri, I think Mr. Greenjeans is my favorite sweater and I’m seriously thinking about making another one.
You’ve got lots going on for 2010 for us and for the shop. Exciting!
Love the pictures of the kids and Little Loopy : )
I don’t have a favorite sweater pattern. Haven’t really knit enough to have a fav. I haven’t acompleted any for an adult, though I’ve knit several baby/child sweaters, and I see more of those in my future, since I have twin nieces who like wearing sweaters.
I love “Hey Teach” and the “Tilted Duster”. So many sweaters…so little time!
I’m working on a Mondo Cable Pulli for myself right now but my favorite sweater pattern to knit is actually a baby sweater – the Tulips Baby/Rocketry sweater from Dream in Color.
Myfavorite is the Central park Hoodie. This is one that has been nagging at me since i first saw it. I was really pleased when they came out with larger sizes as i am pretty fluffy. I think I may hunt this one up and give it a try.
I love the Klaralund sweater I made a few years ago – it is by far my most comfortable sweater, and the colors of the Noro Silk Garden are gorgeous.
I completed a CPH in October for my Rhinebeck sweater and love it! I set out to make a comfort sweater. This was the pattern that clicked and was my first sweater. This year I have 3 sweaters and a vest planned (2 are gifts).
My favorite is the February Lady Sweater. It is such a great pattern for beginning sweater knitters and looks great on pretty much everyone. I wear mine A LOT and I’m in the process of picking a different yarn to make another one.
I have been knitting sweats since 1990, my first being a gansey. I do not have a favourite pattern, I like to make my own designs based upon who the sweater is for. Of the two you mentioned, I prefer the Chinese Lace Sweater pattern.
Hi Sheri!
I am going to join the KAL and jump on the band wagon and FINALLY knit a February Lady sweater. With the hopes of finishing it in February!!
I have casted on three sweaters so far and two have been ripped. I need to find something that keeps my interest for all of those rows that is not to difficult to finish. I am pretty sure that I would not do a good job on setting in the arms and I would hate to knit up a sweater that I did not wear. I will start my search for a pattern. Thanks for the shove Sheri!
My favorite sweater (that I’ve finished) is Tangled Yoke, but I have a February Lady Sweater on the needles too just waiting to be finished (1.5 sleeves to go). I have enough yarn for two or three sweaters, including a crocheted cardigan that I bought the yarn for from you more than a year ago (Butterscotch Cardigan). Maybe that is what I’ll do. It’s a sweater, it uses Loopy yarn, and it is within my skill level. Yeah!
I find choosing a sweater and starting it easy… it’s the finishing it that’s tough. I’ve just sees the Otameal Cardigan in Spin Off magazine and am eager to get started!
I’ve never actually knit a sweater for myself, although I have made several baby ones. I am excited about trying one for ME this time! I think I’m going to try the Gathered Pullover.
Oh, I love the Liesl pattern by Ysolda Teague. It’s so pretty, and it only takes 2 skeins of Malabrigo worsted for the size 36″ bust!
My favorite sweater pattern changes as I see new and cool patterns, but the pattern I am currently wanting to knt is EZ’s green cardigan that showed up on Ravelry recently. Loved it from the time I saw it on Brooklyn Tweed’s blog.
I love the Helena baby girl sweater pattern, but for me, I like the February Lady sweater (or anything else that’s seamless and top-down!).
Well, I don’t know yet as I haven’t made many sweaters. I, too, am knitting up the Mr. Greenjeans right now and I do enjoy it, it’s working up fairly easily for me! I’m turning my attention to the Central Park Hoodie next – and am looking forward to making that as well. I have seen so many beautiful ones!
I’ve done a couple of really fun sweaters.
February Lady sweater was a great, fun knit.
I especially love Fairy Ring by Mary Scott Huff.
It’s absolutely beautiful.
I love the Hourglass sweater, but I’m sad that it doesn’t fit me anymore post-baby 🙁 I also love the KP&S patterns 🙂
The Big Easy Gansey by Beth Brown-Reinsel is my favorite sweater. I made it out of Cascade 220, and let the sleeves flair instead of decreasing them. Warm and comfy!
My all time favorite sweater pattern is the Central Park Hoodie……
I would love to make the Knitty pattern SPOKE (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTspoke.php)
but I am not a sweater knitter. I mean, I could, my kids would love one, but I am not very fast at big projects and i have a deep seeded fear of that by the time i am done knitting for the oldest, it won’t even fit my youngest…
I think i might start with something more forgiving like a roomy cardigan? I’ll finish the projects i am in the middle of (a scarf, felting slippers, and then my first pair of socks!)
I haven’t made a sweater yet since I haven’t really found any patterns that have really tempted me. There are a few balls of Donegal Luxury Tweed hanging around in my stash when I do find that perfect pattern though.
I just love “Primrose Path” from Twist Collective. I’ve seen it done with some subtle beading and I think I’ll have to shop for some beads to give mine a little glitter when I get to knitting it!
Anne Hanson’s Ondule is one of my favorites. Tealeaves Cardigan for Madeline Tosh is a good one too!
I have Whisper on the needles right now, but it’s not a real sweater… I have a problem with arm hole seams, and while there are a host of raglans out there, I also have knitter’s ADD, and sweaters are so big…
I hate to say it, because you don’t carry the line, but I’m addicted to Habu sweater patterns.
I also have a hankering to knit Madelinetosh’s Tea Cardigan!
I just finished a Central Park Hoodie (without the hood!) and love it! Next in line is Wicked, as I need a pullover since I’ve been on a cardigan kick.
I knit myself a Central Park Hoodie but used the celtic cables on the sleeves and center back and I LOVE it!
Currently, my favorite sweater pattern is Cassidy by Bonnie Marie Burns.
I’m not a sweater knitter, but I’m hoping to get one done this year. Part of the reason I haven’t done sweaters in ages is all the weight I put on – but I’m taking it off. The sweater that I love (although even if the pattern existed, I’m not sure I’d ever make it for myself) is Eunny Jang’s Twisted Stitch Sweater (http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/07/twisted_stitch_sweater.html).
Spiral Yoke by Meg Swansen
I’ve never knit a sweater, but it is on my list of things to accomplish in 2010.
I haven’t tried a sweater yet. For some reason I’m afraid of making sleeves.
I’ve been dying to knit Sahara for the longest time, just haven’t found that perfect yarn for it yet. That, and a 2nd pregnancy that stopped me from knitting it the first time LOL. I will do it eventually!
I haven’t knit a sweater yet. I have only been knitting a year and have done so many different projects but the fear of messing up a sweater or cardigan scares me so bad. I will have to follow the group along on Rav and see how it goes. Oh yeah and I keep telling myself I will try and knit a sweater once I lose some weight. HA!
Maybe slouchy cardigan, I have to make a sweater this winter. Anything hip and cool …
I don’t consider myself an advanced enough knitter yet to tackle a sweater on my own but my daughter guided (and I do mean guided in the most hands-on way possible) me through a simple sweater a couple of years ago. Simple, raglan sleeves, crew neck, long cause I like long sweaters. It’s pretty functional, and it really gets used almost daily each winter. If I were to start another sweater I wouldn’t know where to begin as I don’t remember how I knit it at all. Right now I am in my shawl phase. Maybe someday I’ll be knitting sweaters, but for now the Traveling Woman is my cup of tea.
I have 2 sizes of sweaters that I knit (and have plans to knit). one that fits me and my daughter, and with left-over lace weight yarn, sweaters for the 60cm resin dolls. have been collecting a lot of MadelineTosh lately, so very many colors. perfect for substituting for Rowan yarns. I either knit lace sweaters, or colorwork with one main color and just a little color pattern (kitten, flowers, etc.)on a corner of one front, and one side of the back bottom, well possibly a pinch on one sleeve.. My next project though is the cabled cross your heart kimono by Bergere de France, but want a hp slightly variegated yarn. such addictions, lace, color patterns, cables….
I love to knit sweaters, and do only cardigans in recent years. I like to put them on, take them off, button them up, unbutton some, button back up, etc. etc. So much flexibility! I’m a sucker for Norah Gaughan patterns but I think the sweater that I most liked to make and that gave me the most satisfaction is the Kauni cardigan. It was my first steeking and I was so proud!
I’m only on my third sweater, so I don’t have a favorite pattern yet. Although my favorite sweater source book seems to be Ginger Luter’s Mosaic Magic. Modular knitting is great for setting and achieving milestones.
My favorite sweater pattern is a top down raglan sleeve crew neck pattern. With it being top down there are no seams to have to weave in or block straight. It easily accommadates any weight of yarn and any gauge. The best part, you get to try it on as you go for the PERFECT fit. You can also modify it to add in cables or blocks of various stitch work for texture.
But for the KAL, I have been anxiously waiting to start a February Lady Sweater. I love that it looks great on all shapes and sizes. Plus, with the fantastic score of Madeline Tosh in Tart over the holiday from you, I should have it done by Fling.
Good luck with whichever pattern you do.
I think my most favorite sweater patterns have to be Chic Knits patterns. Right now I have two on the needles — Cassidy with Madtosh worsted and Twist with Prism Andee and am planning the lace version of the Basic Chic Hoodie for a friend in DIC. I think her patterns are very classy and timeless and the instructions are very clear and easy to follow.
Naming my favorite anything is so difficult! Ask for my favorite book, and I will give you a reading list that will keep you busy for months. Ask for my favorite recipe and I will practically supply you with a cookbook for all occasions. Sweaters are the same … sturdy-almost-outerwear ones, cozy ones for winter nights at home, stylish ones for work, lacy ones for celebrations … you see my problem? But I will try – for once – to mention just one. There’s a pattern by Veronik Avery that I saw for the first time quite some time ago, in the Ann Budd’s book The Best of Interweave Knits. It is called Threepenny Pullover Pattern, named for the Threepenny Opera by Kurt Weill.If you don’t know the pattern, I can describe it as classical Aran combined with great attention to detail or dressmakers craft. For example, it has side slits in the hem. I have knit a lot of sweaters over the years, with great yarn, great stranded colorwork etc., but very often the finishing or the shaping is not quite what it should be. This is why Veronik Avery’s patterns fascinate me so much.
I’m currently knitting the Ingenue pattern from Wendy Bernard’s Custom Knits book. It’s a top-down raglan pullover with an interesting collar and sleeve cuffs. So far, it’s been a really nice and relaxing knit!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ingenue