A few weeks ago I steeled myself against hesitation and resolved to cast on a sweater in my size.
Last summer when the lovely Shannon of luvinthemommyhood introduced a Summer Sweater KAL (knit-a-long) I signed up full of assurance that I would have plenty of time to knit a sweater for me. Somewhere between preserving several hundred pounds of produce, knitting three child-sized sweaters (here, here, and here), and giving birth (that small thing) I realized it wasn’t going to happen.
When Shannon returned with the KAL this summer I shook my head. I knew it was not the right time to start a big project.
So…imagine my surprise when I found myself casting on a Shalom with the Cascade Eco I’d purchased for last year’s intended sweater. Even more surprising because I’ve always been on the fence about this pattern. So many talented knitters have displayed this sweater but I’ve been unsure. Some I’ve loved, others…well, I just haven’t.
I’m so glad I gave it another look. I realized I much prefer it knit with sleeves and extra buttons – a simple fix. And how serendipitous in this season where I’ve been seeking a place of Shalom to find one growing in my hands.
It’s been a nice quiet knit. Not perplexing, although I did get my obligatory pattern reading flub out of the way. I checked other knitters’ notes on the pattern (see my related bookmarks with my ravelry notes) and decided to follow Soulemama’s modifications.
Based on my previous (and limited) experience knitting sweaters for children it feels like I’m knitting this one for an elephant but thanks to the beauty of top down knitting so far it seems to fit. The chunky weight of the Eco wool makes the knitting nice and quick – a serious bonus these days.
And since it’s yarn along day after all, I have a book to share. While I’ve been knitting I’ve been reading Death Comes to Pemberley. I have mixed emotions about this continuation of sorts to Pride and Prejudice. I’ve certainly enjoyed the venerable PD James‘ writing in the past but a murder mystery surrounding my favourite classic novel? I hesitate. I’ve only just read a few chapters so I’ve yet to make an true opinion, so far I’m simply having a hard time fitting my beloved characters into these new pages. Have any of you read it?
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Find Shannon’s KAL posts at luvinthemommyhood
And yarn along with Ginny at Small Things
Rachel, I am so with you on this sweater. There are some beautiful examples out there and some that are….well….blah. I love the rich chocolate brown you are using…gorgeous! I’m glad it’s going well for you!
I’m so pleased you have found some peace and joy in returning to this project. It will be lovely when it’s finished!
I have been really enjoying curling up with a book (for relaxation) ..though I haven’t read this one.
beautiful sweater and I know it’s going to fit like a dream! Top down was meant to be practically fool proof. Doesn’t it feel weird knitting something big when you knit small things? I always think so.
Rachel, the sweater looks stunning and I am so glad this is now the
‘right time’ for you to knit it. I have had the patten in my book for over a year, but it’s still not my time, I can now just enjoy knowing you are loving it!
It looks lovely! The book interesting.
Looks gorgeous!!! So excited you joined in!!! I love it!
Oh Rachel it’s gorgeous! Way to go on getting something done for yourself…I have a sweater for me tucked away that I will finish one of these days.
That’s a nice looking Shalom you got there! Keep up the good work. 🙂
Yes, I did read Death Comes to Pemberly and really enjoyed it. I took it for what it was, a mystery involving the characters from Pride and Prejudice. To me, it was believable enough to be a possible continuation of the original Jane Austen tale. I liked how the book is more from Mr. Darcy’s perspective, too. The other really cool thing is that, as you get closer to the end, characters from Emma and Persuasion are mentioned, too. That tickled me pink! 😉
You’re so speedy! It seems like just yesterday that you were telling me about how you wanted to START this…look at you!
It’s looking really good too! I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished. It’s about time you made something of your own!
I love Cascade Eco! I have plans for a sweater for me out of it as well. I just have to wait for the one extra skein to come in so I can start…and I’m trying to finish the other projects I have before I start yet another one! Clearing off some needles would be a good idea! LOL! Great job!
Rachel, I’m LOVING your Shalom so far! Gorgeous!!
Love, Taryn
It looks fabulous! And I really can’t wait to see the final result.
It’s looking great, Rachel!
I loved knitting the shalom. I will definitely make another one for this autumn… or two? 🙂
I listened to the audiobook and liked it well enough. I didn’t compare it a lot, but rather appreciated it for the story it was.
So glad you are making something for you. Real people sizes are so enormous compared to wee people clothing.