Monday, January 16, 2012

Hoot Off the Needles


Hi Knitters,
Owls, by Kate Davies, is off the needles with grafted stitches under the arms and only one end yet to weave in on the neck. I couldn't wait to throw it on and check it out. 


I already love my Owls. I think with a good blocking it is going to fit perfectly and relax the stitches a little. I can't recommend this pattern enough. It is well-written and has a large size range, there is even a kids version called Owlet

This is the perfect bottom up, easy-peasy cable, seamless yoked sweater for a first time sweater knitter. If you are considering tackling a sweater this winter or year this is a good one! Big needles, big yarn, knitting in the round, minimal shaping.... all of this makes for a fast and fun knit.


I filled up my Soak basin with cold water and added the sudsy Soak Wash in the Sola scent, squished the sweater around a bit and let it sit for almost 30 minutes. I gently squeezed out the excess water and rolled it in a towel to get as much water out of the wool as possible.

I now have it drying flat on my blocking boards, no pins. I'll get a photo later to share. I need to get a fan blowing on it to speed up the drying a bit.


I dug out these tiny blue buttons that I am going to sew to only one owl, off-center and on the front. I bought these buttons a long time ago at Purlsoho.  I'll see how it looks once the sweater is dry before I decide for certain. I have some clearer blue buttons that I may consider, too.

I'll keep you posted on the Owls progress as I finish up these final steps. I'm off to a busy week with lots of work knitting and deadlines looming. I have to put down the personal fun knitting for a short bit and focus on work knitting, which is also fun but different.

Have a great start to your week, Knitters. What are you knitting this fine week in January?
best, susie

31 comments:

Kimberlyn said...

Great sweater, Susan! I wish Kate would make a cardigan version of this sweater. I'm a teacher, and pullovers are a little less practical since I never know how warm it's going to be in my classroom. I need layers.

I am currently working on a pair of Kirsten Kapur's Breathe Deep mittens, the Sunday Swing socks from Knitty, and a Stitch Sampler Shawl out of some old Patons Soy Wool Stripes that has been in my stash forever.

So glad to see you blogging more frequently!

Amy said...

Lovely!! What size did you make?

Susan B. Anderson said...

I made the size 4, 38 inch bust, which is usually generous for me but it is a snug fitting sweater so I am glad I went up a size.

Sue K.K. said...

Cute idea to use the buttons. I really needed an alternative to the sink for soaking and I have one of those rubber bin/buckets you used. Thanks.

Sally said...

Inspired by you, I'm knitting Owls this weekend. I'm using some long-stashed and treasured Marr Haven (from Allegan, MI) wool. Thanks for the inspiration!

phyllis said...

I love it! My oldest son had a great aunt knit him an owl sweater as an infant and I loved, loved, loved it! I think the button choice is great...something unexpected! I am getting close to finishing my very first sweater for my first grand-daughter (have an almost 2 grandson)...very nervous because the next step is using double pointed needles which I have NEVER used. (I always use circular) so...hopefully I can do it! Have a great week....

Sally said...

And P.S.: thank you for the Russian join!!!!!!

grandmastatus said...

Beautiful! I love my OWLs sweater, too. Isn't it wonderful how fast it knit up?

Denise said...

Can't wait to see it Susan. I love that pattern but haven't gotten around to adding it to my queue yet!

Kelly said...

It looks great, Susan! Looking forward to seeing it with the buttons. I may have to add this one to my queue. I am working on the sleeves of my first sweater, Levenwick. I realized that I knit more tighly in the round, so the sleeves are looking a little tight...might need to rework them.

Bridget said...

I'm hoping to knit one this year, and now am more excited about it than ever. I also like your idea for only one owl with a set of eyes. :-)

Suzanne said...

Wow, those owls flew right off the needles. Your review is so encouraging! I'm knitting a double Saroyan right now and some hearts for valentine's day. I watched your Russian join this morning, Cat demonstrating the mobius cast on and Judy's magic cast on. I feel a need to do socks again or maybe something else. Who knows?

Suze said...

I made Owls for my daughter when she was not yet 2, and it still fits! I used the free pattern and just adjusted the gauge. I love that sweater, and I think I ought to make one for myself one of these days.
I'm making mittens for my son this week. Unfortunately, the ones I started are coming out a little small, so I'll have to try again, but mittens are so quick I don't mind.
Happy knitting!

meppybn said...

Love it - kids version has been on my list for a while - maybe I should think larger?

peaknits said...

Wow - you are a power knitter Miss Susie! It looks fabulous! Can't wait to see it after the soak.

Nickycarp said...

I love it, Susie. As usual, it came out lovely and I love your button plans. It's getting colder here--in the 20s and low 30s, so I am knitting myself some fingerless gloves! Love them for mommies on the go! Enjoy and hope you upcoming week goes really well. Momofffour

Anonymous said...

It is chilly in Ontario right now, so I am working on some thrummed mittens!! Bought the kit from Briggs and Little, I love it!!

Sarah said...

Ok, you've convinced me I can do this. I have made 2 sweaters for my daughter (she's 4), but have been nervous to make one for myself. This has been on my list for a long time. I love it. Going to cast on this week. Thanks for the nudge. It looks great on you, and I can't wait to see it with the buttons on it!

Laura said...

I'm working on my first (adult sized) sweater right now! Shellseeker in Spud & Chloee Sweater. Finally getting to use Beluga which I am very excited about!

oddaud said...

That looks lovely - you've inspired to make my own OWL. Off to download the pattern.

Aud

Tanknit said...

Oh, my goodness, I love it!

Unknown said...

i definitely love the blue owl eyes. and i plan on making the owlet soon for my baby to be. i'm just waiting to find out what it is so i can go on a yarn buying spree

Eileen said...

I love your blog, you continue to inspire my knitting! Question: I checked out Soak and didn't find a scent called Sola? Flora yes. Is it from the Soak website? I've made several of your projects and can't wait to try this one, would love in cardigan as well! Thanks!

Sam I Am...... said...

Beautiful sweater! I, on the other hand, am still working on my GIANT oven mitt that is to be felted (and I have to make another one too!). I wish I would have learned to knit when I was younger because I'm not sure I'll live long enough to get as good as you or your followers! LOL! Every week I ask my instructor if I'm ready to make that big stuffed owl on PurlSoho and she keeps saying "not yet". She's young and I don't thing she realizes time is of the essence here! LOL! Thanks for all the inspiration!

Kate (KnitsInClass) said...

If I could knit as fast as you, I'd make a lot more sweaters :) I love the blue buttons for the owl eyes - they will look gorgeous with the natural yarn.

BListello said...

Can't seem to leave the "Wee Ones" projects, along with making my second giraffe. This sweater may make me postpone toys for a while.

Ana said...

Susie, thank you so much for the Russian Join! Love it! Am also cranking down the sleeves on a Levenwick (Gudrun Johnson)for my oldest daughter. She's a trim little thing, so it's fun. We wanted snugger sleeves so I ripped and started decreases earlier and more often. I'm looking forward to getting back to my Maluka shawl after Levenwick is done....

Ana said...

I wanted the first commenter "K" to know that making the Owl a cardigan would be easy with lots of notes from Ravelers who did just that. You could work flat, eliminate the middle owl, and add plackets. Many also added collars!

JayJay said...

I love your owl sweater! I've been eying this for a long time, so I may have to knit it this year. Cute idea with the buttons, I can't wait to see.

I am knitting a Vegas Scarf! You pick six yarns and assign them each a number. You then roll a die to determine which yarn you use for each row and flip a coin to determine whether you knit or purl. It is knit lengthwise and the tails become the fringe. My friend, Jennifor Lori, came up with this knitting game and we are having a KAL for it on Ravelry. :)

Pat said...

Very, very tempting sweater! You used some of my most favorite words, "fast, easy-peasy, seamless, first time sweater knitter, big needles". I am a bit leery when you experts say that something is "easy." I wish that there was a conversion chart for "experts" rating to for those who are "muddling through."

Brandi Schoch said...

The sweater looks great I love your blue button eyes.