The wonderful, always inspiring Glenna has been doing a fantastic series about sweaters recently. One of her drum beats is about selecting a pattern that suits you, and then making intelligent modifications so a garment moves beyond homemade to handmade. This is a topic I've been thinking about recently, because I am living out of a suitcase, and making my clothing decisions a week at a time. I thought the footwear would be hardest part of this equation, but it's definitely the knitwear!
Since Fall is one of my favorite seasons, a lot of my knitting is selected with Fall in mind. My favorite things: 3/4 sleeves, rich colors, lend themselves to an autumnal palette. To springboard from this, I wanted to do a recap of my favorite knitwear. I make a lot of garments, and it seems silly to only talk about them when they are brand new. How are they wearing? What's my favorite?
First up:
I should probably be embarrased to wear my Lightweight Pullover outside the house, since I wear it ALL THE TIME, but there you go. Why? The gray is a great neutral; I can wear it over black, gray, brown, or denim, and it's a simple shape, so it can be dressy or casual, depending on the accessories. Dynamite.
This is a bottom up raglan with a rolled edge turtleneck in Queensland Kathmandu Aran. For someone who generally does not like raglans or high necks, these two sweaters are funny pick. I love how versatile the shape of this sweater is: it's a great platform for a piece of jewelry. I love the shorter sleeves and the longer length: a winner!
And another cowlneck raglan! I wear this sweater all the time. This is a heavily modified version of Finial, from Twist Collective. The beads at the hip add visual interest, but the voluminous cowl keeps things from geting frousy or twee. Plus, 100% cashmere. What's not to love?
Including this sweater is cheating a bit, since I didn't make it. One of my dearest, most wonderful friends gave it to me. She designed it for her portfolio and I love it with a passion usually reserved for discontinued Rowan or my husband. It is also a raglan (!), with a wide boat neck and a bloused shape. I love the color, the neck/hip detailing, and the feeling of being close to my sweet Sara whenever I wear it. It's the perfect antidote to a hard day. Some people may buy shoes, I freebase other people's handknits.
Lastly, another raglan: the Folded pullover. I love the subdued shape, the pleat detailing- it provides just enough interest to make the sweater unsual without making it a single wear item- and the wide boat neck. The yarn, Dream in Color Smooshy, is not my favorite, but it has held up admirably. This is the kind of sweater I will do an entire load of handwash to be able to wear.
What have I learned in writing this post? I wear the heck out of raglans. I am normally very averse to them, since I have relatively broad shoulders, but they seem to be the sweaters I wear again and again. I love bright colors, sleeves that stay out the way and WOOLWOOLWOOLWOOL. Of course, that last one probably isn't a surprise!
Stop by later this week for a roundup of my favorite cardigans. I promise: they won't all be raglans.
This is super interesting! I love to hear how yarn wears and what you turn to as wardrobe staples. You crank sweaters out so quickly, but mine tend to languish for worry of whether the effort is worth it, will it fit right, will it look too "homemade", etc. Looking forward to the cardi roundup! (And big congrats on your new job!!)
Celia
Posted by: Bicoastaldiy.wordpress.com | September 25, 2012 at 10:32 AM