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 made a sweater yet but I’ve been eyeing the February Lady. I’d lobve to make one out of Madelinetosh.
I just completed my first sweater, Jared Flood’s Cobblestone, which if you like you can view here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/jpsdad . It was a really fun knit and I believe 2010 will be the year of the sweater for me. I am now swatching for Meg Swansen’s Spiral Yoke sweater but, unfortunately, the yarn I’m using is only available from the dyer so I don’t qualify for the challege 🙁 That’s ok though. I’ll be knitting along with you all in spirit! Good luck to all!
I think my favorite thus far is the Central Park Hoodie just for it’s simplicity without being too plain. I’m not so much into the sweaters, more of a sock knitter through and through!!
The Baby Surprise Jacket! It’s a great way to showcase beautiful handpainted sock yarns, or handspun.
My all-time sweater pattern is one from those classic Vogue sweater books by Christina Probert – it’s a design from 1980, and is a simple moss-stitch, crew-neck sweater, preferably knit in “nubbly” yarn. Well, I’ve made that sucker in everything from high-end wool/silk/linen blend to Red Heart, and it’s just the most perfect weekend sweater ever. One of my college roommates kept borrowing the Red Heart one I made, in fact.
I do love to knit sweaters – my biggest problem is finding chunks of time in my week when i can actually knit them and see progress.
I’m not a sweater knitter, although I’ve knit many baby sweaters and adult vests. I’d really like to try though.
I’ve only ever knit the kids size – but the wonder wallaby by cottage creations is my favorite all time sweater pattern. Not only is it a great multi-sized basic pattern – it’s a total hoot to read.
That’s right – I said hoot 🙂
that should be wonderful wallaby – although it is a wonder…
I’ve only finished one sweater for me, the Central Park Hoodie. I did the 5-hour baby sweater for my daughter and a Wallaby for my son.
I have more favorites than I care to count!! But…. if I have to narrow it down to one for now…. I’d say it is Bohus Wild Apples!
My favorite is the Butterfly Multnomah. LOVE the drape and the colorway, it works perfectly with the patter.
My favorite sweater pattern is Wisteria, by Kate Gilbert, from Twist Collective. I modified it to be smaller and to use Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky Yarn. It’s the best looking sweater I own and it taught me how much I love top down raglans.
I have only knit one sweater so I can’t really say that I have a favorite. I’ve queued quite a few, so it’s just a matter of coming up with the funds for that much yarn.
My very favourite sweater is a vintage Penny Straker Aran-style called “Shalor”. I’ve made it both a cardi and a pullover. Lovely!
I’m IN LOVE with Ysolda’s latest sweater from Twist Collective… the Vine Yoke Cardigan? I am ITCHING to start it. My father bought me the yarn from Loopy Ewe for Christmas (Lorna’s Laces!! I’m such a lucky girl!!) I wasn’t into sweaters until a year ago. Now I’ve made three adult sweaters and one baby sweater… with plans for about 80,000 more sweaters.
Haven’t *technically* finished a sweater yet, but I have high hopes!
I’m not really a sweater knitter, but I’ve got the Chic Knit’s Mondo Cable pullover on my list to do. I’ve done one of her sweater patterns before and it was wonderful.
Hmmm a fav. hard to pick. I like the Fan Jacket in Japanese Inspired Knits, nice design but very simple to make.
However there is also EZ’s sweaters and pretty much anything knit in one piece and not having to sew together 😉
Hugs!!!
The Gathered Pullover from Interweave Knits winter 2007.
I am knitting my first vest–the “Gilmore Vest”, with modifications (added waist shaping; made the body longer and the shoulders narrower; and picking up stitches for the ribbed collar, rather than knitting the collar separately and sewing it onto the vest). It is a quick knit and my favorite vest pattern!
Golly, Sheri, would it count if I finished my Mr. Greenjeans sweater that I started 2 yrs ago in the first sweater KAL?!? I’ll maybe enter, but will have to pick a pattern I like. I did like that Central Park Hoodie, tho………
It is my New Year’s Resolution to successfully knit a complete sweater for MYSELF, a feat that, in 10 years of knitting, i’ve never accomplished.
It might be a St. Brigid (Starmore), or something light and cardigan-y…probably somewhere in between!!
Im a sock knitter! I have a sweater on the needles for my husband that I work on in brief spurts, but I always go back to my socks. I think the expense of the yarn is my biggest obstacle.
I have not had much luck with the fit of knitted sweaters. The last one I finished, the February Lady Sweater is a bit large even without blocking and I am not happy. I found a pattern for a Kimono that I might try next since it is suppose to be roomy.
I haven’t made it yet, but I love the Kingscot patter from Norah Gaughan that was published in the Winter 2008 edition of the Twist Collective. It’s #1 on my Ravelry queue, and I already have yarn purchased for it. Unfortunately, it’s a yarn that The Loopy Ewe doesn’t sell :(((((
(Tanis Fiber Arts), so I can’t use it as my KAL. Bummer
I’ve only knit socks and easy accessories and I really would love to knit a February Lady Sweater…but I’m scared to knit my first sweater!!!!
I haven’t knit any adult sweaters, but I’m working on a Mondo Cable pullover from Chic Knits and loving it, except I think I should have made the smaller size. I’ve also been wanting to make the Whisper Cardigan, and Vaila and Vine Yoke from Twist.
My favorite sweater pattern right now is the top down raglan baby cardigan from Knitting Pure and Simple. My daughter is the age to have lots of friends having babies, and I have been cranking these out for the last couple of years.
For adults, I really love girlfromauntie’s Rogue Hoody, although I will admit to having one in the WIP pile for several years.
I’m not a sweater knitter, although I aspire to be! I have made one sweater…Wicked. It turned out beautifully and would have been amazing, had it not been so large there was no way it would fit anyone! As I knit it, I could see that it was going to be too large. I knit on. I tried to convince myself that it wasn’t as large as it looked. I knit on. I could see that I was using more yarn than I should have been using. I knit on. It felt like a blanket sitting on my lap. I knit on. I knew I should frog it and start over because it was way too big. I knit on. I don’t know if I thought it would magically fit when it was done, or what, because I continued to knit, knowing full well that it was huge, but somehow fooling myself into believing that I was wrong. I finished it. It was huge. I wear it around the house on cold days because I just can’t bring myself to frog the very first (and only) sweater I ever made.
I have collected sweater patterns that I like, but have yet to really commit to one. At least for an adult. I have knit several baby sweaters–some of the kimono variety, but my favorite is EZ’s baby surprise jacket.
I’m more of a sock than a sweater knitter, but I do have a couple of favorites:
For myself: Twist and Shout (on Knitty)
To give away: Baby Surprise Jacket
I also like Kelmscott (from Twist Collective) and the February Lady Sweater. So many potential projects, so little time! 🙂
Im not really a sweater knitter…yet.
I like Talia, a knitty pattern
I’ve been holding onto the pattern for the Fireside cable sweater patter for 2 years, itching to knit it. I can’t wait to dive in… but I have to clear out a baby blanket first.
I am a sweater knitter. I have knit Mr. Greenjeans – twice; February Lady – once; and Baby Surprise Jacket – once. On my “want to knit this” list is the Adult Surprise Jacket. It would look great in Tosh Worsted.
I have so many sweater patterns that I adore, but I have not made a sweater yet. I am not 100% sure why. I live in Florida, and I wear a sweater very rarely. I love to wear wraps and shawls, so I find myself making them over and over. Maybe I should make a nice light cardigan. Hmm…you have me thinking Sheri. 🙂
wow, lots of people on line before me today!!!
i have knt and plan to knit another Wicked sweater, Great sweater for hanging out in, change it up with your yarn or what you wear with it!
off to see what sweater i want to make for the challenge, darn it, didnt get my last challenge shawl (multnomah in autumn apples) up in time, oh well!
I have lots of patterns qued, but the two I”m looking forward to getting my needles around most are Camden by Ashley Adams Moncrief and Silken Scabbard by Jennifer Hansen. Also on my que is something “quick” – maybe Rusted Root.
I love knitting sweaters! I don’t really have a favorite pattern since there are so many great ones. I plan to make Rogue, Climbing Vines and Equinox Yoke next.
My favorite was a cinixia I tried from knitty. Lovely fabirc and easy in the round construction. I have made some others…..but that one was fun and actually knitted up the way it ‘looked’ if that makes any sense.
Now I am tempted to cast on a new sweater…..ack!
I like making sweaters but I tend to make more of them for the local hospital and not for my family. This year I’m going to make Wallabys for my Great-niece,Great-nephew & soon to be born Great Nephew-then one for my Daughter 🙂 I also like making the OWL pattern sweater so I’m hoping to make one of those for each of them too-my daughter will get another shawl instead.
I’m not much of a sweater knitter – my last serious attempt at a sweater is still waiting for me to re-chart the decreases due to uncooperative row gauge – but I did have a positive experience knitting a sweater for a coworker once. I had brought a lace shawl into work and it reminded her of a sweater she had. She brought in her sweater and asked if I could knit one just like it but in the lace pattern I was using. It was a very different construction and I do enjoy a challenge, so I gave it a try and it worked.
Any hand knit sweater, I love the ones I’ve made.
I am just finishing up a sweater as we speak, so I may go through my stash and see if I have enough and if the yarn is available at the Loopy Ewe, if not I have my 10% cashback to use. I have a ton of patterns in my queue at present, so the decision will be somewhat difficult.
I love the idea of me actually knitting a sweater. I have several(ok, alot) downloaded and marked to make. It is this thing about commitment. When I do make this sweater, I shall begin with Arwen, or perhaps CPH. No, Arwen.
I have never knitted a sweater though I have wanted to. The finishing details – I’m not sure I’m up for them. But maybe the KAL will inspire me to settle on one of the patterns in my queue and actually knit it!
I knitted a vest years ago. It was more like a sweater without arms. LOL! I’m just getting back into knitting and want to do socks. I’ve never done them before and I have such long and wide feet, I’m not sure how to adjust a pattern to compensate.
Mel
I have never actually knitted a sweater/vest/anything that covers the girls. I have plans to though! Kirsten Kapur’s new wood hollow vest (not yet published… eagerly awaiting) will be my first, and I am SO excited 😀
Lately, I can’t stop thinking about the Whisper Cardigan. I’ve never knit with lace weight yarn, though I’d love to give it a try. Maybe something with a cashmere/silk blend…hmmm…(heads to the loopy ewe to find something nice)…
I haven’t managed to successfully make an adult sweater yet but there are so many I love. I think, though, the next one I’ll tackle is the February Baby Sweater since baby things are so much more doable. I’ve also been meaning to make Stilwell from Made in Brooklyn….so many sweater…patterns…