Seemingly a long, long time ago I decided to knit Mark a new jumper from some locally grown and spun yarn that I bought at Bilby Yarns in Willagee. I loved the cream colour with grey undertones and thought that a vintage cabled jumper would provide that Aran feel and be warm to wear as cables and texture really add to the thickness.
I chose a pattern designed in 1949 from one of my vintage Vogue Knitting books but decided to omit the turtle neck and make it a high crew neck instead.
I carefully swatched the wool and began to knit. At some point on the back piece I realised that I wasn’t going to have anywhere near enough wool, so took some back to the shop and asked if I could get some more spun. A sample was taken and the request to incorporate the grey made. Then I waited. And waited. I chose not keep knitting and moved on to other makes, and thank goodness I did.
The day came when my wool arrived and I knew that it didn’t have enough grey in it. It was much creamier in colour than my original wool, and as soon as I started knitting it really showed up. If you look at the top of the knitting you’ll see what I mean.
I had been enjoying the striped effect caused by the natural colours in the wool and this worked to my advantage when problem solving the colour issue. I took a ball of the original wool and a ball of the new wool and knitted them alternatively, every two rows. 
Of course I occasionally forgot to alternate the balls meaning that my stripes were a little more random, and that was fine too.
In terms of the knitting, this was a simple, although slightly tedious knit. I find moss stitch (also known as seed stitch) slow and I occasionally have to check that I haven’t started ribbing. I also kept putting this knitting away and making other, more urgent (ie for me!) things, which meant that I had to work out where I was, even though I did keep notes. Apart from these little inconveniences, I pushed on and finished the jumper in time for our summer. Doh!
However, this did mean that it was done in time for our trip to the US and here it is in action on the man himself. It’s the perfect attire for sitting in coffee shops and reading a digital issue of the New York Times (Mark’s favourite newspaper). As a side note, I also made the red neoprene cover for his iPad.
The jumper has quite pronounced drop shoulders, although it does have shaping in the armscye. I can’t decide if this is how it’s supposed to be or if I have somehow got the sizing incorrect. However, Mark loves it, so that’s all that matters.
He is standing on our hotel roof looking at the Empire State building in this photograph. He is also wearing wool trousers lined with silk that I made for a previous trip to Iceland, and the very first shirt I ever made him many years ago, which I’ve always thought was a bit small, but which he finds really warm as it’s a magnificent wool/silk blend.
One last photo, this one taken down by the river in Georgetown, Washington DC. It was a magnificent day and we had a lot of fun exploring this really lovely part of the city.
Very clever of you to make use of the new wool batch, even though it was lighter – it looks great! By the way, thanks for sharing your travel photos! Have fun!
I have more travel photos to come so brace yourself!
Goodie!
A very good way of solving the dye variations. I would have probably just had a melt down and missy fit so very well done. The main thing is that Mark likes his sweater – and he looks great in it!
Thanks Kim, my Mum taught me this trick and I’ve used it frequently over the years.
And now you have taught me. Thank you 😃
Fantastic!
You found a great solution: alternating the two yarns does look like a wanted effect and Mark’s sweater looks even better than the one in the book! Great job, my dear.
You may see it IRL! My Mum taught me the alternating yarn trick and it’s always been a handy thing to know.
What a good solution knitting the new yarn in alternatively! I think that the pattern sweater has dropped shoulders, too, and the sleeves are properly inserted. The sweater reminds me my very first self knitted cardigan I made when I was 14 years old. It featured cables and burlings and was made of natural left wool. Does your wool scent, too? Your husband is very lucky you are making him the most luxurious garments. Which other man wears trousers with silk lining?
Thank you SaSa, yes, those trousers are very luxurious and he just loves the sweater. I think you’re correct about the dropped shoulder, it seemed to be quite common with the other patterns. The wool did have a bit of a sheepy scent when I washed it, but it’s ok when dry.
Magnificent sweater! And you made all his other garments too?! Oh my word Sue!! What amazes me, is that everything you make is so superbly well-made. Your husband looks warm and stylish on your American adventures! (Same as you!!) 🙂
Even his socks and underwear 😜😂
Thank you for the liv ly comment btw
Gah, *lovely!
That’s a lovely sweater you made for Mark! I always have the problem of running out of handspun yarn and I really like your solution to this problem, I will keep that in mind 🙂
It works quite well if you don’t mind stripes. I was getting them anyway with the original yarn so it didn’t bother me at all.
What a great idea to knit alternate rows in the different shades. That is a trick I will certainly make use of in the future. Thank you for that.
The sweater looks fantastic and he is a lucky man having silk lined trousers.
Sometimes the alternative yarn blends two different dye lots seamlessly. Worth trying.
Such a lovely jumper and the subtle stripey effect looks like a trick of the light. I’m in awe, partly as I am a rubbish knitter and partly as I only ever do alterations or mending for Westy. Thank you for sharing. You are pretty amazing to keep blogging while you are travelling too!!! xx
I love to blog whilst I travel, as it gives me something to do in the evening. Thank you for the lovely comment on the jumper.
What a beautiful knitted sweater. It has just that nice looking Irish style and colour to to give it that wonderful classic look.
I was hoping that it would look like a genuine Aran sweater and I think I managed that.
In my opinion you succeeded!