Hi, Knitters,
Before I get into the #projectsweaterchest chat I want to let you know that I have put up a giveaway for a new sock pattern by Leah Oakley called Shoe Candy on my Ravelry group called Itty-Bitty Knits. Everyone is welcome to enter but you do have to be a member of the group to win. Simply leave one comment on the thread to enter. I will randomly select a winner in a few days. I love this new sock pattern and can't wait to try it out. I read through the pattern and it is very clearly written.
Also, if you purchase the pattern before December 16th, 2014 (I will end the giveaway with plenty of time to purchase and enter) you are automatically entered to win a skein of the always hard to get Lollipop Yarn sock yarn in the Carol the Bells colorway. If you win Leah will automatically enter you in the contest for the yarn so you won't miss out.
Jump on over and leave a comment! Good luck to everyone. Also, come join us in this super fun group if you aren't a member already. It's a very welcoming group.
Okay, on to today's topic of #projectsweaterchest. I haven't written about this for awhile now but I have a bunch of sweater knitting plans coming up so I want to finish up reviewing the Top 10 sweaters I have already knit before talking about my new sweater plans. To refresh memories I have already talked about (in no particular order) the Garter Yoke Cardi, the Basic Chic Hoodie, Owls, Calligraphy, and Tea Leaves.
In March of 2014 I quickly knit up the Hiro Sweater by Julia Farwell-Clay and I instantly fell in love with the pattern and the finished sweater.
I used some decade old black Cascade 220 and I supplemented with newer stash of Cascade 220 in turquoise, hot pink and heather gray. I think I talk about the colors numbers in the Catching Up #4 Video Podcast that I've embedded at the end of this post. You can see me wearing the sweater in this episode as well.
Hiro is a truly simple bottom up sweater design. It would be the perfect first-time color work sweater. The pattern can be knit as a cardigan as well, the instructions for this are included in the pattern. The pattern is clearly written, very simple and easy to follow instructions. It's a good one.
I felt like Hiro flew off my needles. It was fun to knit, motivating, and easy. These are all qualities I look for in a sweater pattern.
The only change I made was to eliminate the waist shaping. I made Hiro in a smaller size than I usually do, I think a 34-inch size when I normally make a 36-inch size. I can't remember what I was thinking when I did this.... wishful thinking maybe? Not sure.
It was a little snug when I first tried it on before blocking and so I stretched the heck out of it when I did block. Now it fits great! It's really kind of perfect.
I think you would love the Hiro pattern, too! I can't recommend it highly enough. It's well-written with lots of sizes and options. The fact that you can knit a cardigan or pullover is wonderful. I would even consider knitting another one of these and making it a cardigan this time.
I've included the two videos that relate to the Hiro sweater, one where I am wearing it and the 10 Favorite Sweater Video for those of you who might want to watch again or for any newcomers that have no idea what I am talking about.
Click here for my YouTube Channel for all of my videos! I have over 60 videos (I can't remember the exact number), most are tutorials and then I have 10 podcast episodes or so. Remarkably, I am getting very close to having 1.6 million views on my YouTube Channel which is pretty exciting so thank you for that!
Good luck if you enter the sock pattern giveaway on the Itty-Bitty Knits group!
Four more favorites to go and then I am going to tell you about a couple of not-so-favorites. #projectsweaterchest is an Instagram hashtag for anyone wanting to post photos of sweater knitting of any sort. Please post in here with the hashtag because there will be some cool prizes coming for those who do!
Have a great day.
xo ~ susan
Love that sweater! Your color choices are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteaw, thanks for the Hiro Love, Susan. I'm knitting my fourth one now! (it's addictive)
ReplyDeletejuliafc ~ you deserve the Hiro love! it is one of the best patterns out there. Fourth? Hmmmm..... I may have to try and beat you!
ReplyDeletesusan
I remember when you posted about this sweater and fell in love with it then. Also got to see it in person at the Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle. However, I didn't realize that the pattern is also "knitter friendly" so I'll have to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteLove the sweater--but I don't know how you got through the boredom of one unchanging color for the body--this always stops me from knitting a sweater--
ReplyDeleteI am making a Hiro in the colors you used but I am dragging and have only gotten about half way up the body. I have seen people who have made several of them, I need to just finish one first!
ReplyDeleteI love your Hiro! I have this in my queue and am holding back from starting another project until I wipe out a pile of WIPs and UFOs. I'm glad you blogged about it and now I must get caught up on my podcasts! Thanks for sharing, SusanB. :)
ReplyDeleteYour Hiro is very inspiring, Susie!
ReplyDeleteI love your Hiro. I bought the pattern last year but didn't like my color choices and never finished. This makes me want to give it another shot! What is the name of the tubing you are using in the photo and where do you get it? I am always dropping stitches when I try on a sweater in progress!!
ReplyDeleteChris M,
ReplyDeleteThat is Try It On Tubing (if you google it will pop up).
I hope you finish:)
susan
Oh my goodness! In that first "looking down"picture that had your clogs in it- I didn't understand what I was looking at, I thought you had on grey socks that had pictures of colorful socks on them! I was like "what kind of crazy recursive socks are these? Are they meant to be worn in blog photos because they look like the socks that appear in blog photos??"
ReplyDeleteI loved your Hiro so much, Susan, I made my own. My first adult sweater after many for babies. And I even made it for myself...which I never do. I love it! Thanks for the inspiration! I'll post it to my Instagram with the #projectsweaterchest hashtag.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Purlbuckeye on Ravelry
Hope I'm on the right one. I love the multi stripe colors. Brights are my favorite.
ReplyDelete