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’m not a great sweater-wearer (somehow I always reach for polar fleece.) But I do enjoy knitting them, have several on my queue. I think my current fave, and probably the next one to the needles will be Hannah Fettig’s Featherweight Cardigan.
I haven’t knit any sweaters yet, although I’m really liking the “Heather Hoodie Vest” (would that qualify as a sweater??) from the Knitscene Fall ’09 issue. Maybe this Challenge will be the perfect time for me to start. 🙂
I’m not really a sweater knitter. I’ve tried a few times but I don’t seem to wear them. I think I have trouble making them fit right. The only one I’ve made with any success is the Featherweight Cardigan. That is a lovely little number.
i am a huge fan of circular shrugs! they’re so versatile and easy to knit! my sweater yarn of choice is probably alwaysalwaysalways going to be malabrigo. <3 malabrigo. 😀
I have never knit a sweater. I have an “ample” figure and live in southeast Texas, so very rarely wear a sweater. But a pattern caught my eye the other day that makes me want to knit a “sweater” (vest/tunic) – that’s the Sweetheart Tunic by Marlaina Bird aka Marly. Still thinking about joining the KAL (I haven’t finished the Girasole or Multnomah from the last two Loopy challenges). If I join, this will be the one I knit.
I haven’t knit many sweaters, but my favorite is the Owls sweater – it’s knit with a bulky yarn so it knits up quickly, and I love the owl motif!
I love the Starsky Sweater pattern with its tree like cables. It is a fun easy knit that looks wonderful.
Debi
crzyknittengran (ravelry)
I don’t knit a lot of sweaters, and I don’t have a favourite pattern, but the one that I’m most glad of having knitted is Alice Starmore’s ‘Kilronan’ from “The Celtic Collection”. It’s wonderfully warm, looks great with everything, and still draws admiring comments even after 15 years of regular wear.
I just finished the Shalom Cardigan and love the top down construction.Simple to knit but not boring.
I love the Susie Hoodie from More Big Girl Knits..
I just love cardigans! I have only made one (FLS) with one WIP, but I keep buying yarn for them and adding them to my Ravelry queue. Someday I will knit them all!
I have 4 garments on the needles and have yet to finish one, but the one I’ve liked the most is Ms. Marigold. I also love the ubiquitous February Lady Sweater. Mine is coming along really well.
I think I’ll be doing either Francis Revisited or FLS for the challenge.
I’ve never knit a sweater but I do have one added to my queue at Ravelry – the February Lady Sweater. It doesn’t look too bulky or binding which is something this “fluffy” knitter worries about. Perhaps 2010 is the year that I should give it a go!
I’m just finishing up the Katharine Hepburn sweater, and it has been a lot of fun. I’m also a fan of the Shalom cardigan–that might be my KAL project.
I LOVE sweaters. As a matter of fact last night I told my mom I was going to knit another sweater and she asked me if I “needed” another sweater. YES, of course I “need” another sweater. Now I must decide which one to make.
I don’t have a favorite sweater pattern, but I have enjoyed knitting the couple of sweaters I have knit. I’ve recently come across Jamison Square by Marnie MacLean, and plan on starting that in the very near future.
Right now, I’m in love with Anne Hanson’s Ondule sweater.
I’ve seen a gorgeous sweater done out of String Theory DK superwash using Knitting Pure and Simple pattern #241 Neck Down Shaped Cardigan. Knit top down, no sewing! You could use a nice clasp or shawl pin instead of the knitted tie strings.
I am still working on my first sweater that I started in 2007. I do plan on finishing it for Ravelympics…. hopefully.. It just needs sleeves, and I’ve tried and tried, but I was a newer knitter and I just couldn’t get it to work out. So I’m hoping now, with a little more experience, it will be fine.
After this one is done, I’m going to move on to the February Lady Sweater, I’ve got the yarn sitting and waiting….
I haven’t actually finished an adult sized sweater. My Mr Greenjeans is languishing on the needles because I think my gauge is off. That’s not deterring me though from planning my next sweater! I love the February Lady Sweater and have the yarn ready to go for that.
I haven’t knit nearly enough sweaters to have a favorite.
I don’t have a favorite sweater pattern, but I love scarves and socks. My favorite pattern is actually based on a potholder worthy stitch I found on Ravelry.
I’ve made a couple of versions of Sally Melville’s funnel neck sweater from The Purl Stitch. It’s a basic pattern that you can easily modify to suit your needs.
I have not knit enough sweaters to have a favorite. I am finishing a “Somewhat Cowl” from Knit and Tonic and I really love it. It is going to be something I love to wear.
I have never knit a sweater before, but I’m thinking about knitting Harlow.
I am working on the Striped Modular Vest from Creative Knitting mag and loving it! Really a neat approach to knitting. Thanks for asking!
I can’t say that I have a favorite sweater pattern, but I really like the cabled baby hoodie that my sister made recently. 🙂
I love the knitting pure and simple patterns!
I’m still deep in the throes of deciding which sweater pattern to knit, this will be so great! BTW, I’m just abouit to leave for “holiday” and plan to bring my Loopy and photograph her in all our ports of call. Shall I send you some pics? 🙂
I’m not usually a sweater knitter, for myself. I have done some baby sweaters. I’ve really been wanting to do that easy “surprise jacket” by Zimmerman…I have it in an adult size…maybe now is the time for that!
Thx Sheri for all of the wonderful yumminess I get from TLE…I threw my hat into the sock ring, hope I get a place. I was in a couple of others last year as I couldn’t get into TLE’s…hopefully…
Hi Sheri – Like many of the others, I have only knit two adult sweaters in the past but quite a few baby sweaters. I prefer lace shawls or socks as sweaters take a lot of time and I hate the seaming. The top down cardigan was almost NO seams and my favourite – from the Cabin Fever book “Button Up Your Top Down” by Deb Gemmell, the “Basic Aran Cardigan” and I wear it all the time…
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/knittygirl45/basic-aran-cardigan
Also made a CPH and that was fun but no sweaters in the near future planned (although will check out greenjeans Sheri, thanks for the tip)
I haven’t knit a sweater yet (although I hope to one day), and therefore I don’t have a favourite pattern. There are a lot that I think look great, though.
I don’t have a favorite sweater, but I do like raglan-type sweaters. I also like yoked sweaters, though I haven’t made as many. I like to try them all though!
I love, love, love Norah Gaughan’s Tweedy Aran Cardigan. It’s been on my list for a l-o-n-g time. It calls for aran weight, but I think I could knit a larger size in worsted to get the size I need.
I don’t have a favorite sweater pattern, but I do have a favorite type of sweater. I LOVE colorwork. Of course, cables always catch my eye as well, but I still love working with lots of colors. I really enjoy knitting up a beautiful fair isle design.
Right now, though, I’m stuck in sock mode and believe it or not am just about to start my first multicolor sock!
I have several favorite sweater patterns and I love making sweaters. The pattern I have chosen for the KAL is Kaleidoscope Yoke by Katie Himmelberg. I will be making it out of String Theory dk which I bought at Stitches East last Fall. It will make it doubly special that it was from Stitches and its for TLE KAL
My other favorite is a DROPS DESIGN “Drops Jacket” done in 2 colors. I have the yarn for this as well. It will be done in Wollmeise with a base of Dunkle Kirsche 100% and the contrast will be in Natural twin. The reason for the twin in contrast is to give the design a “fluffy” effect. Especially since its a snowflake pattern.
I am chosing the first mentioned for the KAL but if time allows I will do both.
I haven’t actually knit a sweater before, and I’m participating in the Ann Hansen Spring Fling KAL and I’m knitting the Whitfield Jacket for my DH. I much prefer knitting large projects (like a sweater) for someone much, much smaller than I am!! (Lucky DH!) One thing I’ve discovered–sweaters are a time commitment, and I like to flit from project to project. Difficult to stay focused…
I just started my first sweater – it’s from the fall 2005 Vogue knitting magazine – the V-neck pullover. Wish me luck! So far, I really don’t know how it will turn out. Yikes!
I am a sweater knitter and have knit many. My favorites are top down…I always seem to finish those in a timely manner. I like Knitting Pure and Simple and Chic Knits patterns. My only problem with sweater knitting is that I am constantly distracted by my main obsession…sock knitting!
I really like vests – which I able to wear in more seasons that full sweaters, so…my recommendations are either the Basic Vest Pattern from the Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns or the Vine Lace Vest (both are on Ravlery).
I find knitting sweaters easier to finish than socks for some reason! I really liked the February Lady sweater and I would knit that one again.
My favorite sweater pattern is Penny Straker’s Gretel. I have used both girl’s and adult’s versions.
I have never knit a sweater…I have a very awkward shape and sweaters don’t fit me well. But that’s okay; I’m kept busy with other knitting. At least I’m not bored! 🙂
Sunrise circle sweater! I’m waiting to finish twisted cables cardigan, then sunrise is up!
I’m loving my Drops Cardigan but I haven’t knit many sweaters. I’ll post my progress on rav. Hopefully I’ll finish this year!
I’ve been meaning to make the Cobblestone sweater by Jared Flood for my son since last winter. If it was picked for the KAL, that would encourage me to get it done!
Can I say ANYTHING from Bonne Marie! I have yet to knit any of her patterns that I haven’t LOVED…..Ribbi Cardi, Ce Ce, Sitcom Chic, and Miss BB is waiting in the wings…….
Her patterns are immaculate, and the sizing is wonderful. Bravo Ms. Burns.
Mr. Greenjeans is my all time favorite sweater pattern. Maxiumum payback for minimum effort. Plus… Amy is a friend, and it’s good to support a friend. 😉
Most of the sweaters I knit are of my own design, but I did “reverse engineer” girl from auntie’s Rogue from pictures I saw on the internet. And I love that pattern. I’ve never seen the actual pattern, but the sweater it makes is wonderful. It might be one of my favourites.
I haven’t yet been brave enough to start a sweater! Someday soon though…
I’m not a sweater knitter, although I have knit a couple of baby surprise jackets. Maybe one of these times…