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