i didn’t do any swatching with the eggplant yarn this weekend the way i’d planned. i have an idea that i’d really like to run with for that yarn, but i need to do a bit of research first. unfortunately, the research is not going so well . . . there isn’t much info on the area i would like to explore with this project.
i may have to put my idea on the back burner for a bit, and go ahead with a different strategy for the eggplant yarn. i’ll give it til midweek, and if i don’t find what i’m looking for, i’ll move on.
but not doing that gave me time to do this:
don’t get too excited; it’s just about one-sixth of a sweater, but it’s definitely taking shape (and i figured out that the best way to photograph the yarn color is in low light . . who’da thunk it?).
this time, i started with a front section. i almost ALWAYS begin my sweaters with a sleeve, unless they are knit in one piece top-down (rare these days).
anyway, i decided that working on a front would give me a chance to explore all the variables that this sweater might hold in store, so i ran with that this time. and wouldn’t you know, while visiting lene’s blog over the weekend, i saw the sleeve i had originally intended to do. but when i saw it, i realized that it would be the wrong sleeve for my sweater. my sweater needs a longer look down the arm, and i don’t want to steal the emphasis from the high waist in front. so i think a more petite cuff will be just the contrast needed to make the somewhat-peplum pop.
i say “somewhat” because it’s not a peplum in the sense that it sticks out at all . . . it just has the depth of one. it’s more a continuation of the body, but different.
anyway, did i say that i am lovin’ it so far?? i AM. it’s just what i pictured in my head. and today i pinned it to the front of myself and looked in the mirror and it looks good on too.
other than that, i worked on the mitts for anne’s november kit, took two lo-o-ong naps, and did some more spinning.
(romney/alpaca sample skeins—top one is 2-ply; bottom one is 3-ply)
i love the romney yarn for the coat i have in mind. i’ve had this book forever, and have always intended to knit the cover coat for myself. i even bought this romney/alpaca wool to spin the yarn for it.
yeah, i can put off gratification with the best of them.
but why—especially in this case?? i’ve have the perfect wool for three years now, that i know will make the right yarn for it (i sampled it back then too). why haven’t i started? especially when i am in such desperate need of a decent coat?
i’m serious; the last real coat that i owned, i gave to a friend when we lived in NYC just because he liked it (i happen to be very VERY fond of the old man’s wool topcoat coat; i’ve owned several harris tweed ones that i adored and looked well on me . . . in the city, they are surprisingly easy to find in small sizes. why i gave my most favorite one of all away, i will never know.).
so finally, finally, on saturday, on a whim, really, i drug out the huge bag of roving that i’ve been storing in my cedar closet and took it to the guild gathering to spin with.
i spun up a couple of bobbins of 2-ply, but then decided i should sample it in 3-ply as well. since the yarn will be for a coat, and romney is notoriously fuzzy, AND (in my experience) 2-ply handspun pills fairly easily, it struck me that the 3-ply might be a good idea.
(top is 3-ply, bottom is 2-ply)
i haven’t spun 3-ply in a while, but my spinning style lends itself to making the fine singles required. i found i was able to be more consistent that when spinning the heavier singles for the 2-ply. i used my schacht wheel for the finer singles because i knew it was not likely to get overspun on that (still i overplied a little tiny bit, but just a little, and that could actually end up being a good thing).
the 3-ply is definitely smoother and a bit stiffer, but not rigid; it is pleasant to knit with and makes a more consistent fabric. i think i like it better overall . . i need to test both yarns on a smaller needle as i did not quite get gauge on the recommended size 9 needle.
(3-ply left, 2-ply right)
to me they are virtually identical when knitted except for a little more evenness and consistency in the 3-ply swatch, and the unseen factors of the 3-ply probably being more sturdy, smooth, and less likely to pill.
interestingly, they both knit up to the same gauge even though the 2-ply looked and felt thicker. the 3-ply is a bit more blendy in terms of color distribution, which i like for this garment . . the coat is really simple with subtle details, and i wouldn’t want big pools or streaks of color to overpower them (though i might like the more rustic coloration of the 2-ply in something else).
it might seem like an awful lot of forethought, but i’m sure there are factors i haven’t even thought of yet, that would inform the spinning process and make this project better, if only i would think them.
and believe me, i went through all this with the red sweater too . . i’ll talk about that next time. oh, ps: any suggestions on great buttons for the red one? i’m wondering if they should be tiny glass ones, or possibly little pewter ones . . but they can’t be heavy.
24 thoughts on “i’m thrilled . . . so far”
The sweater is going to be so lovely. Have you ever heard of Moving Mud? ( http://movingmud.com/ ) they make their own glass buttons and if you send them a sample of yarn the can make them to match. I have seen some of their things in person and they are amazing.
That jacket is going to be so nice. I love the colors of the hand spun. I would think that the 3 ply might help keep you warmer too.
I really like the yarn you are spinning. It will make a beautiful coat.
Your sweater is such a gorgeous shade of red. The right glass buttons would be pretty, but I have a soft spot for pewter buttons. I look forward to seeing what you choose.
My vote is for glass buttons. I love the red! It is looking good. Prefer the three ply spinning. I prefer the distribution of colour. Glad you are spinning.
LOVE the red sweater so far. Can’t recommend buttons yet. I’d have to see choices. Wish I knew where the guy was who made my polymer clay buttons–another David. 🙂 They’re amazingly colorful/interesting, and very light weight. I’m sure he had the perfect thing to go with your sweater. Alas, I haven’t been able to find him online in eons. The romney 3-ply looks fabulous. Just the thing for that coat. It would totally depend on the specific buttons.
The yarn for the coat is perfect. Why haven’t you made this coat before? You definitely need to do so. I’m interested in the sweater project. More on that later.
Beautiful progress on the cardigan so far. I’d say small, thin silver/pewter buttons would be very nice – a great contrast to the red.
Love the tweedy effect you got with the handspun. It will look amazing as that rustic coat!
I always prefer pewter buttons. Glass buttons are lovely, but pewter is my love. (Besides, with your salt and pepper hair and a deep red sweater, it practically begs for pewter. I can hear that little front all the way over here.)
red sweater looks wonderful.
and tweedy coat? It’s going to be lovely. although the thought of how much time it’ll take to spin enough 3 ply for an entire coat has me wondering if you ever sleep? (grin)
That’s an impressive amount of forethought.
Some of us just muddle through….
It is wonderful to be able to watch someone else go through the process, and consider all of the factors of a good yarn (and thus a good sweater).
The three ply, definitely. I’m grateful for your sharing the process of determining the best yarn for the coat. It does make sense to put the forethought into a project this big. Once all the yarn is spun you won’t regret making the 3ply. I look forward to watching the progress.
To me the sweater looks more modern and less traditional, so my vote is for a more modern and less traditional button. Glass buttons seem more fitting. However, if you could find some pewter buttons with a a more modern looking design, I think those would fit as well.
Your timing on this post worked perfectly for me. I’ve spent the past few days spinning and plying 2- and 3-ply yarns out of three shades of undyed BFL in an effort to figure out how to make the best yarn for my first handspun sweater. I’ve been slowly working out the details of how tightly to spin and ply and wondering how may plies, so your explanation of your decision-making process is very helpful.
I love your red sweater so far!! I’m glad you’re thrilled, because you should be. What a wonderful rich color. And your coat will be simply gorgeous in that yarn you’ve had in mind for so long and finally spun up, I bet you’ll have the best time knitting that 🙂
I love the red sweater so far! Both glass and pewter buttons can be heavy for their size. I think pewter would be pretty. Also, lovely yarn for the coat; the 3-ply swatch really mixes the colors well.
Amazing tweedy handspun! That 3-ply is a winner and should make a smashingly handsome coat.
If you do go with glass buttons, I’d like to recommend MovingMud.com as my hands down fave.
Thanks again for the peek inside the mind of design.
that’s looking to be a pretty sweater – i love the red. it’s always interesting to read your design process – seeing a project take shape.
I really enjoy seeing you knitting and spinning for yourself!
The pattern you chose is going very well with the yarn. It has a modern look on it with the high ribbed waistband so a modern looking button would look very good on it ! To copy the ribbing in the sleeve would not be a good idea, I’m with you in that !
Where do you find the time to spin all this lovely yarn ? The coat will bestunning when it’s finished though 🙂
Minimalist glass buttons in a closely matching color would be great–you don’t want to detract from the pretty diamonds (?) and ribbing. Pewter buttons are such attention-grabbers, they will only direct the eye away from the simple, pleasing overall design.
i love the way that sweater is coming out. and the handspun? so beautiful!
I love the shaping on the cardigan. That deep rib is going to be so beautiful on you. And I agree with Lynne E on the buttons – pretty, smallish glass buttons.
And I know why you gave away the coat – you’re a nice person in touch with your fellow human beings.
You always pick such great shades of red. Making me want them too. I think your coat will be great too. The 3ply swatch looks really good.
Sparkly black jet buttons. They’ll pick up the darker tone in the yarn and add a touch of flash to catch the eye. ~wiggling eyebrows~
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