Knitting

Finished objects: Fort sweater for David

September 28, 2014

Earlier this year I knit my first adult sweater, which happened to be only the second thing I’d ever knit for myself. It was quite the project and precedented by much anxious anticipation. Well, I just finished my second sweater and this one was for my incredibly patient and deserving husband, David. He made sure I had time to work on this project too, entertaining Coltrane on more than one occasion. This is his first hand knit and he can’t believe how well it fits or how good it feels. I’ll give Brooklyn Tweed at least part of the credit for that. This pattern, Fort by Jared Flood is incredibly thorough and the design so well executed. David’s new phrase is “every time I wear this it feels like a thousand little hugs from you”. Pretty special.

This sweater project was part of two KAL’s (knit-alongs) one started by Annie Rowden and Karen Templer, deemed the #knittingforhimalong and the other “Summer Sweater KAL” started by Very Shannon. This, along with David’s excitement was enough motivation to keep momentum. It’s been a lot of fun to keep up with all the projects other folks have knit as a part of the KAL’s.

And so it’s come to my attention that I am now a full-time sweater knitter. All the sweaters, all the time. I’ve since started two others, which I’ll be sharing here shortly. It’s a serious addiction, encouraged by incredible fiber and new exciting patterns.

Here are some photos David and I took tonight. As lovely as they are, don’t be fooled, these were not taken in some ethereal backwoods in the celebration of Fall. No, they were taken at the dog park across the street from our apartment, in downtown SF in 70 degree weather. With a grumpy toddler strapped to my back and waning daylight. And that red cup? It’s whiskey. Peace.

jared flood fort sweater david yousling

jared flood fort sweater david yousling

jared flood fort sweater david yousling

jared flood fort sweater david yousling

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18 Comments

  • Reply Clare September 28, 2014 at 11:33 pm

    Well done! It looks fantastic – actually I love all of it; the photos in the dog park, the toddler strapped to the back and definitely the whisky in the cup!

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:24 pm

      You are so sweet! Behind the scenes is always an adventure 😉

  • Reply bella September 29, 2014 at 12:28 am

    What a beautiful sweater. The texture looks amazing. What colour way did you use?

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:24 pm

      Oh thank you! I used Old World by Brooklyn Tweed.

  • Reply lindsey September 29, 2014 at 3:12 am

    I’m so glad you posted this inspires me to finish the one I started from my husband, he picked out the most drab boring green color, but it will be beautiful when it’s finished. It feels like it’s taking me forever, compared to the baby ones, so it’s good to see it finished and get me excited to finish mine, so thank you!

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:23 pm

      It’s so true…adult sweaters are a triumph compared to baby ones! Adult sweater knitting is the knitter’s equivalent to summiting a mountain. 🙂

  • Reply jonatha September 29, 2014 at 6:16 am

    indeed, you are a sweater knitter. jared flood creates beautiful things. i just finished one of his cabled
    scarves as a gift for my
    brother and yes, his patterns and results made me stop and have
    an ahhh moment or two.

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:22 pm

      Sweater knitting is my new favorite 😉 Sweaters all the time!

  • Reply Kimberley September 29, 2014 at 9:08 am

    Really beautiful! Congratulations!!

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Thank you so much!

  • Reply Sheena September 29, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Well done! The fit looks great and your husband looks so proud!

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Oh thank you! And he is! Now to plan some cold weather trips so he can wear it. 🙂

  • Reply Knitwee September 29, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    Whiskey? YOU ARE MY PEOPLE. Awesome sweater! Your skills are impeccable. I can’t wait to see what else you have on the needles!

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:20 pm

      Haha! Thank you sweet lady!

  • Reply Melissa September 29, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Sweater knitting is the best kind of knitting in my opinion! Your husband’s sweater is wonderful. My poor husband is still waiting for his sweater, it’s been about 8 years and I’ve already ripped out 2 versions. Third is a charm? Right?

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:19 pm

      It is the best kind of knitting! Thank you for your sweet comment, and you are so right, third time is always the charm. 😉

  • Reply Tracey September 30, 2014 at 6:07 am

    The sweater looks amazing and I love your husband’s description, so very sweet.
    I knit Jared Flood’s Ranger in a blue tweed for my grandfather and have been wanting to cast on another for one of the guys in my life [I have a husband and four sons plus a son in love] and now I think Fort might be the perfect one.

    • Reply Ashley October 7, 2014 at 10:18 pm

      Thank you so much! I was actually surprised how much I loved knitting it. I thought the pattern would get boring, but it went by quickly and was very straightforward. You should definitely try it!

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