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ravelry

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

Knitting

On my needles: Reine sweater

April 11, 2014
brooklyn tween reine sweater

I first began knitting as a child when my great aunt Audrey taught me to knit a washcloth. I was horrible at finishing projects when I was younger and didn’t pick knitting back up until in my teens and even then it only lasted a few months. I’ve since trained myself to complete projects by picking smaller ones that allowed for the instant or almost instant gratification of finished knits. Over time slowly working my way up; hats, toys, baby sweaters, cable socks and now an adult sweater. A couple Christmases ago my brother asked for a sweater and I scoffed at the thought “An adult sweater?! Yeah right”.

Well, I have reached the day where I am ready. More then ready. I’m not sure where this new found confidence and vigor has come from, however as soon as I had decided, I couldn’t get started fast enough. The setup had to be perfect. After spending far too long on Ravelry, I settled on Reine. I ordered a set of Knitter’s Pride Karbonz circulars and a load of Brooklyn Tweed Loft. I have been learning recently to embrace swatching, so swatch I did. After a few swatches I was ready to go. For anyone who has worked with BT’s Loft, they know it’s a very light weight yarn. It’s literally light as a feather and so squishy. The texture is delicious. It is the perfect fiber to make a sweater for San Francisco weather.

I’ve been knitting for a couple weeks now and have made steady progress. This new ambitious on taking already feels familiar. Familiar enough that I have my next sweater picked out. 🙂

If you’re like I was and have been hesitating to take the leap, I encourage you to do so. There really is nothing more fulfilling then making a hand knit to wrap yourself in and say with triumph “I made this.”.

Here are a few photos of my favorite Reine projects on Ravelry…

reine-sweater

From the left, clockwise: by MarionTricoti, by Lapouleapetitspa, by MarionTricotiby Alexis Winslow