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 haven’t finished my first sweater but ready to start another one that seems more sensible. Anywho, this is one I would love to make and will do the sweater KAL, maybe this one?
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/maggie314/katharine-hepburn-cardigan
I have been working on a sweater for over a year now, for my husband. I still love the pattern even though I’ve had to frog it many times. It’s the Jack’s Aran Pullover from Men in Knits. I’m doing it in a cranberry color that he himself picked. He can hardly wait for me to finish it, so I need to buckle down and do it!
I have knit 4 sweaters so far-one I sized up and was a complete disaster but the others turned out fine. I have swatched the Gooseberry Cardi but have had to put off knitting it until Christmas knitting was over. It almost is :0) I still have a pair and a half of socks to make. Lots of good ideas for patterns in this blog though. I think I’ll have quite a queue! I like the Yarn Girl patterns, too but they aren’t for fluffier women like me.
I’m completely smitten with Ysolda Teague’s Vivian! My knitting group just had their annual swap and my swap partner put it in my gift bag. splee!
I’m going to use some lovely Malabrigo for it.
I’m thinking of doing this challenge KAL here and I’ll be using Lorna’s Laces to make the Pioneer sweater from a recent knitty.com
I love the sweater from Interweave http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Patterns/Cable-Down-Raglan.html.
My goal this year is try break through the barrier of wearable items! I’ve never done something that is size specific other than socks.
I love the Must Have Cardigan by Patons. I am knitting my 2nd one and it’s just too fun!
I love Jared Flood’s Cobblestone sweater pattern, which I’ve knitted for my brother, and am hoping one day to figure out how to adapt it for me. I’d love to do the yoke, side panels, cuffs and trim in a slightly different colorway than the body…or maybe this would just look peculiar!
My favorite sweater pattern is the Owls by Kate Davies. I have yet to knit it but it is on my list of to-dos. When I finally do knit a sweater, it will be my first.
I’m only a beginning sweater knitter, but I knit the Mrs. Darcy cardigan and it’s one of my favorites. Simple, great-looking and easy to customize.
I can’t wait to knit the Farmer’s Market sweater from Fall ’09 Interweave. At first I was on the fence, but I just keep thinking about it! I plan to knit if from Lorna’s Laces Shepherd worsted but can’t decide on a color. At this rate I’ll have at least three…
I’m not much of a sweater knitter, but I did knit the Neck Down Wrap Cardigan by Diane Soucy. It’s a fun, easy sweater pattern to knit.
I don’t have many sweaters under my belt. I’ve been on a sock rampage lately. But I really enjoyed knitting Haiku from Knitty. It’s sideways construction was fun and there was just enough shaping to make it interestingbut still mindless. I also love that it’s one big piece very little seeming whichis a big plus for me.
Cottage Creations – Babies and Bears Pattern for Adults
i don’t have a favorite sweater pattern. i do knit sweaters, and, like you, think of them as a major commitment of time and yarn. i have a fair number of sweaters in my queue.
someday i’d like to knit myself a st bridget. maybe after i retire….
My favorite sweater that I have ever made is Sylvi from Twist Collective. It looks complicated, but the pattern is very clearly written, and the results are outstanding! It goes pretty fast too, since it is written for a heavier weight yarn.
I’ve only knit one sweater to date, and it doesn’t fit all that well- it was one of those knit-it-all-in-one-piece dealies, and I’m not exactly a proportional person 🙂 I’ve had a Cabled Colorwork sweater in my queue that I’d really like to tackle this year, but I’ve recently fallen in love with the Durrow sweater pattern for my DH. Sooo pretty! Now I just have to work up the courage to make it for him. I can’t even make a HAT that fits him!
I just finished the Moch Cardi by Gudrun Johnston and it was a fantastic pattern. I thoroughly enjoyed knitting it.
I love your Mr. Greenjeans sweater. I have only knit one sweater for myself,
and I can’t find the pattern. It was ages ago. I know the pattern is here somewhere,
but lost in all the other patterns I have. If I had a vote, I would knit the hoodie
pattern. It is so cute.
My favorite sweater currently is the Tea Leaves cardigan, and I’m making it out of Madelinetosh Worsted in fig (which came from you). My favorite tunic is Jared Flood’s Redhook, which I haven’t made yet, but looks cool. Other sweaters I love – Anne Hanson’s Ondule and Highlander. And there’s a basic hoodie cardigan by Chic Knits that looks easy, fast and fun too. For vests I like the Misbehavin’ Vest.
There, lots to get you in trouble!
I haven’t knitted a sweater since my daughter was in first grade and she is now 29. Fear of the size issues? Well, more not wanting to commit until I take off the post back surgery /cortisone induced weight gain! Excuses work for me!
I have been lusting after the Central park hoodie, Also Quick Cowled Tunic ( jan 09 Creative Knitting Magazine I just saw.
My favorite sweater pattern is Rogue. I have made 2 so far and it is always in my mind to make another one. The first I knit out of Malabrigo (yum!). I love knitting in the round and the pretty cables make the body shaping just right for me.
I have only knit one sweater so far, Stacatto. It is a striped zippered cardigan and I knit it for my middle son in Cascade 220. He picked out all the yarn! He is 14 and wears it to school so I think it was a good choice for him.
So that has to be my favorite sweater pattern!
I want to be a sweater knitter, but when I get close to finishing I worry about the fit and into hibernation the sweater goes! I think my next attempt will be Francis Revisited. Looks like a winner!
I’m afraid I have sweater quantities for about 3 sweaters waiting for me–I’ve been scouring the sweater patterns on Ravelry for a while now. I think the first one I want to make is in Sanguine Gryphon’s QED; the pattern is Jordana Paige’s Amused, from Knitty Winter 2008. I plan to make it into a cardigan rather than a pullover.
And–you need to work on Gryphon so you can carry QED! It’s a great worsted, and I love the sheen of the BFL. Since you carry other Sanguine Gryphon yarns, would I still be able to enter this sweater in your KAL??
Thanks SO much–and I hear that you’ll be participating in the CPA auction tonight–so THANK YOU again for your generosity!!!
I have knit a few sweaters and as I finished the last one I finally gave myself permission to NOT like knitting sweaters! I LOVE knitting lace and socks. I feel as if a knitting burden has been lifted off my shoulders – I DON’T have to knit sweaters to be a Knitter! It’s okay that I ONLY knit socks and lace! There – I said it! (felt good too! LOL)
So far I’ve only knit one sweater… but I had to do it twice because my gauge was horribly off. The knit itself was rather boring though. I’m knitting the Nimbus cartigan right now… and it’s lots of fun.
Bernat Classic Cardigan
It’s hard to pick a favorite sweater pattern! So, my answer is actually the sweater pattern I’m thinking of making next – February Lady Sweater. I’ll probably change my mind 20 times before I actually cast on, since I am so indecisive.
I think my fav knitted sweater pattern is the central park hoodie even though I have not made this myself. My 1st & only sweater was a top down raglan cardigan. Since I had just started knitting & didn’t understand gauge or shaping the end result was laughable. Would love to jump back in the sweater saddle again!!
My favorite sweater pattern is Must Have Cardigan by Patons. I love it’s classic look and usefulness.
Not currently a sweater knitter because I’m always too warm to wear one!
I’ve only made one sweater so far (a cardigan) and it was just too small so I retired from sweaters for a bit. My goal for this year is sweaters– I’ve got Wisteria, Pioneer, Lacy Ribbons, and a cabled vest queued up and yarn waiting or on the way. Except for the LR– know anyone that might have Shibuiknits Silk Cloud at a great price? 😉
I love the February Lady Sweater. It’s not exactly an original choice, but I love that it was easy enough for a relatively new knitter (and first time sweater knitter) to make. I am working on the original February Baby Sweater now, and hoping to get it done before my February baby (due the 28th!) arrives! 🙂
I haven’t made myself a sweater in years – the idea of the time and yarn it would take for my plus sized self has kept me from it – not to mention there is plenty else to knit in the meantime! My daughter is still waiting for her Chicknits Ribbi Cardi which has been in my queue for some time. I also have a jacket-type sweater planned for myself – I am going to start as soon as the “glittens” I have promised a friend are done…
I have a sweater for this summer OTN. Well, it was for last summer, but I can now focus on the coming warm months.
I’ve never taken on a sweater before so this is a great challenge. I am going to make the seeded cardigan from Sensual Knits. I haven’t decided what yarn yet, but it looks like the one used in the book is no longer available.
I have only made a few sweaters for myself, and loved Mr. Greenjeans and the Shalom Cardigan. More Shaloms are in the plans. Very suited to easy mods and all sorts of yarn choices.
I like any of the sweater patterns from Chic Knits. They are so wearable, and the patterns are well written.
I like knitting sweaters – plain boring classic sweaters that can’t be bought – the patterns I like are knitted top down and fitted.
I love my classic, fitted, boring, plain sweaters and any pattern that is of a boring, plain, classic top down sweater 🙂
I haven’t yet knit a sweater, so I’ll be checking out everyone’s comments. I do love chunky yarn though. I also live in Texas. So I may have to knit a sweater to send up north =)
I have never knitted a sweater, but I’m hoping to correct that soon. I love Fishermen’s sweaters, though; the patterns and the cabling are just so spiffy.
My favorite is the Whisper Cardigan. Super fast and easy. Now I want to do the Slouchy Cardigan, but I can’t decide what yarn to use.
I’ve knit one sweater: a tiny hoodie (Berocco Baby Yeti) for my nephew. My sister swore the baby was allergic to the alpaca and has since “lost” the sweater. I’m still in mourning – may be a while before I try another sweater!
Not really a sweater knitter, but this is the year I plan to try!
My favourite so far is the Tweedy Aran Cardigan from Interweave knits because it has an interesting pattern but is not too hard to knit and not too bulky to wear.
Last year I tried to make my first adult-size sweater. I’d made several baby sweaters of different styles so I figured I was ready to try February Lady Sweater for me. After several months of on-and-off knitting (and tinking and frogging), I decided that I was not enjoying the process on a large scale and it was taking too long to make.
I decided that I am not a sweater knitter…I’ll just keep knitting socks, hats, toys, and baby things! 🙂
I made the Central Park Hoodie and love it. I hadn’t done many sweaters and found the directions to be easy to follow. I don’t live near anyone who knits, so want the patterns to be ones I can figure out on my own.
There are 4 sweaters and a 2 vest/tank/tunics that I’m itching to make right now. The cardigans are Rendezvous by Glenna C., Adelaide by Snowden Becker, Hedge Fence Pullover by Elinor Brown and the McLaughlin Jacket by Nancy Rieck. The vest/tanks are Lauren by Jennifer Hagan and the Alice Top by Katya Wilsher. They’re all in my ravelry queue if you want to drool over them too. Now to decide which to buy yarn for this KAL — I’m leaning toward the Hedge Fence Pullover but it’s so hard to pin myself down!
I like knitting raglan sweaters in the round, either top-down or bottom-up. Sometimes I just use a “recipe” for a generic sweater but I also have used the Knitting Pure and Simple patterns for both baby and adult.
This challenge is perfect timing! I haven’t knit a sweater in a LONG time and am thinking of challenging myself for the knitting Olympics. I’ve been in love with Liesl by Ysolda for a long time, but am also thinking about the February Lady Sweater.