things are shaping up in holda

Posted on Posted in designing, projects

over the weekend, i finally finished the second front piece for the sweater i’m designing with spirit trail holda, which meant i could then join the neckband and get a good look at how the whole thing hangs on the body. i know it’s rumpled, but try to imagine how a good blocking will smooth the fabric into a sleek elegance. the verdict?

i love it.
i’m very pleased with both the shape and the fit. it’s not pinned anywhere and even without the support of the back piece for balance, it hangs well. the slope of the neck is right where i want it to be

not too high or too low. and the armhole depth is good—generous enough for the unconstructed shape, but not so deep that it looks like a sack. for me, it strikes just the right balance between bathrobe and jacket—it should be comfy and look great at home or on the street.

the front band, which is incorporated right into the body construction, extends past the point of the shoulder bindoff to wrap around to back, where it is first grafted, then sewn to the neck edge, forming a collar at the same time.

the wide rib pattern helps it to pleat and fold prettily to conform to the body contours. i like this feature in particular.

i feel confident to write up the pattern, now that the more involved parts are complete and to my liking. it will be a work in progress for a while yet, but the major questions are answered at this point and i can get the ball rolling.

the large back piece is already underway; i’ve actually gotten a little more done on it since this photo was snapped the other day. i did lose my cable needle somewhere this weekend—it must have dropped when i was pulling pieces out of the bag. i’ll need to remember to pick up another of my favorite brand next time i’m in a yarn shop . . .
(i’m hopeless at cabling without a needle and part of my apathy about it is that i actually like using the third stick. plus, it’s WAY faster for me. not saying you have to agree, just explaining before i get a flood of suggestions to try it. believe me, i have and it’s really not for me.)

this will be a good project to work on over the weekend while i have company and when i travel next weekend to my teaching gig in NYC/NJ. i may even get the back done before i go, so that all i have to take along are the sleeves. wouldn’t that be nice?

23 thoughts on “things are shaping up in holda

  1. beautiful! i adore the cables. and by the way, i like my cable needle too. (actually a spare dpn). i’m much faster with a needle than without. we should form a club. (=

  2. Yeah, I vote for cable needles too. Or try a crochet hook for the job, which is what I’ve always used. Unfortunately, now that I need reading glasses I can no longer tuck the hook behind my ear when not in use. Maybe a pocket that hangs around the neck would work?

    Anyway, the sweater really is beautiful. I’m looking forward to the pattern.

  3. Ohhh this is going to be right up my alley. I’m knitting another sweater right now with a similar neck style and I love that.

  4. I love the shape of your new cardigan — right up my alley! I have to say that there’s something so lovely about your dress form … it looks well-used and well-loved. Oh, and I’ve signed up for your course next weekend in NYC and cannot wait to meet you.

  5. So glad to know I am not the only knitter who prefers using a cable needle! I use a short bamboo dpn usually.

  6. Lovely cardigan, great styling. As cable needles are determined to lose themselves, I usually resort to plastic cocktail or wood toothpicks – colorful, cheap, usually in your kitchen.

  7. Was ho-hum about this sweater until you attached that neckband. Now I’ve already scoped out Spirit Trail’s Holda. All I need is the pattern for a great fall cardigan. Anne, you have terrific visionary skills.

  8. Completely agree on using a cable hook. Also agree that one’s favorite style is a must – in my case, that’s the midcentury classic J-shape in anodized aluminum.

    I love the way your new cardi design is shaping up. The neckline-into-back collar is particularly pleasing.

  9. The sweater is really shaping up, Anne. I’ve cabled without the needle and I missed it so much. I use a J shaped one in rigid plastic. It’s my absolute favorite and I’m lost without it. I’m with you. I enjoy the whole cable needle process. But then, that’s the way I initially learned.

  10. ah! i love wooly monmouth! it’s my LYS when i’m visiting my parents– i grew up right near there. this winter when they were out of DPNs in the size i needed for my socks, dori taught me to magic loop right there on the spot & it’s been an invaluable technique for me ever since. 🙂

  11. Just registered for your lace class in NYC! I didn’t realize that you would be in my area until I read your blog, and I was so happy that I was free and that there was room in the class. I’m so looking forward to it!

  12. I think the neckband just makes the sweater. It’s perfect! Can’t wait to see it all done and blocked.

    I’ve tried cabling without the extra needle and felt like I had 10 thumbs…cable needles are a MUST for me. By the way, what is your favorite kind (since you mentioned you had one)? Right now I’m using Knit Pick’s needles but I don’t like the grooves in the middle. Am thinking of trying something else.

  13. The sweater looks like it will be comfortable. I have been looking for a sweater pattern to finally make one for myself. This looks like it could be the one. Will patiently wait for the pattern.

  14. Anne, I LOVE the neckline on the sweater! It’s fabulous!

    I’ll be loading more Holda to the site early next week, too 😀

    Hope you have a wonderful time in NYC. Wish I could be there!

  15. Your sweater is lovely. I like the color alot. I can do twists without a needle but I haven’t tried to do cables.

  16. Can’t WAIT for the Holda Sweater to come out Anne! It looks exactly like something I’ll want! And of course you can’t go wrong with purple. . . .

  17. I LOVE the shape of that neckline. Shawl collars and their variations are my favorites because they keep the back of my neck warm.

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