I have been participating in another Elizabeth Zimmerman knitalong hosted by the lovely Kate from fabrickated, and this time we did the raglan sleeve version from Knitting without Tears.
I finished it a few days ago, but the weather wasn’t conducive to wearing warm jumpers – it’s been glorious! Anyway, today it went a bit pear shaped and I was happy to get out the jumper and start thinking about how I was going to style it. I’ll just mention that in the photos below I have wet hair as I got caught in the rain.
The Itch-to-Stitch Danube jeans skirt made from denim left over from my sofa covering adventures proved to be perfect, as was my scarf knitted from qiviut yarn, which I bought in Canada.
I’m not sure what to say about this jumper. It is made entirely from random balls of wool found in my stash. The weights varied a bit, so I used the wraps per inch method to ensure that I didn’t mess up the tension. I used two strands of yarn for a couple of these colours – namely the brown and the orangey-red. I also geeked out a bit and matched my sleeves exactly to the body, but might make another one with more interesting sleeves.
I used provisional cast on for the hems, and initially made the jumper quite short, then lost my nerve and added length, which of course I regret a bit now. A lot of frogging (ripping out) went on here and there and I was initially going to do a turned hem, but finished up with a garter stitch hem, which I split and the back is slightly longer than the front. The sleeves have got turned hems as has the neckline.
The neckline is another area that gave me pause. I didn’t want to rib it as I hadn’t ribbed anywhere else, so I did a little turned hem. You might notice in the photo above that this had an interesting effect – I have a strange shaped neck. I was going to redo it, but thought I’d wait and see how it was when I wore it. You can’t actually tell that it’s odd, so I’m leaving it. For now!
I’m not sure how the others fared, but I got in such a mess with eight balls of wool on the go at once that I started cutting the wool. My seams are not as nice as I would have liked. I knitted into the stitch below to get rid of the jogs, but I still wasn’t happy so used some of the wool ends to embroider over the joins. This meant that my seams are slightly bulky. I am going to have a look at how I can better manage multiple balls for the next one, which is already on my needles. Any suggestions will be gratefully received!
It looks perfect to me Sue! I am so impressed with the colors and love the darker outline of the blue in the middle stripe, did you plan it out or make it up as you went? Btw, I am making cushions for our outdoor porch and needed a contrasting color – I remembered your denim slip covers and copied you! I am sure the pups will enjoy chewing on the denim 😂😂
Thank you! I didn’t plan a thing with this jumper, except to make note of the rows for each stripe so that I could match the sleeves. I am loving that you made denim slip covers too – fairly environmentally friendly (we won’t think about the rivers of blue dye) and tough as nails!
I have no handknitting knowledge so can’t comment about handling multiple balls of wool, but I love your jumper! The colours work so well together and it fits beautifully. I bet it feels fab to wear.
Thanks Diane, I am thrilled with the way the colours worked out as I’m not very good with colour. It is lovely to wear and very warm!
I really like the autumn colours. I feel a bit guilty sometimes because I have enough clothes already but keep on making more because I enjoy the process. I tell myself that making clothes is a fairly harmless hobby. You must have so many clothes already but are always making more. Do you wear many things out? How do you get rid of surplus?
I have a disgustingly ridiculous amount of clothes, but for me, it’s about the making rather than the wearing. I like feeling as though my skills are improving and I tend to enjoy things for a season or two and then donate them. I rarely wear anything out, but occasionally rip things!
Oooh, those colors! I love the oranges and blue together, and they certainly look fabulous on you, and with that skirt!
Yes, orange and blue might be my new favourite combination!
I’m a learn-as-I-go-along knitter, fairly beginner & I had no idea we were meant to keep our yarns all going! I cut & tied every stripe & I’m going to have to weave in & try and fill out the joining seam when I’m finished. I would be in a huge tangle with all those balls on the go! I just adore your colours on you & one day I’ll make a similarly warm toned one, it will likely suit my colouring better than the one I’m knitting now.
I’ve been knitting for years and still can’t manage more than two balls at a time – and that’s a challenge! My mother could juggle a large number of balls at once but I never took any notice of how she did it. I have been cutting and carrying the ends up the seam, using the knitting to “weave” them in. It’s worked in some places but in others I have an unattractive lump! I am off to do research on this matter and will get back to everyone.
The thin black line would have been a tricky one to have to remember to keep putting in! Amazing!
Thanks Michelle, I had fun trying to decide what colour to do next. I had no plan and no order and amazingly it worked out ok!
It’s wonderful Sue. I love all your individual variations and find your approach inspiring. The colours are really sumptuous and will go with many things. And I am impressed with the fit. Like Shell I didn’t carry the yarn at all – cut and knot for me.
I am so thrilled with the fit this time. I did my measurement and added no ease at all. I am not convinced about how I’m doing the yarn joining so going to do some mugging up in my vintage books to see if they can enlighten me! I shall get back to you!
I also cut my yarns except the black one which is the one I keep running between each colours. I think I will go for a neckline like yours though I ‘m not sure I know how to achieve that. Might have to watch a couple of tutorials in YouTube!
The neckline is the easiest thing Hélène, all you do is pick up all the stitches, knit a couple of rounds, and then either do a picot edge or garter ridge and then do a few more rounds. Don’t bind off, just sew down the live stitches. I tend to pick a colour and sew into that all the way round. It will give you a strange shape, but it’s actually quite nice. Let me know if you need more instructions!
Thank you Sue! Now I see: the neckline is sewn down inside, similarly to our Carbeth cardi except this one has less rows, hence it doesn’t look so deep. It thought it was just left out to rolled upon itself.
Sorry to be slow replying. Yes, just turned in and sewn. My next one is using the natural roll and I think I’m going to like it!
*I thought
A great combination of colours and I can’t wait for you to help us work out how to manage multiples balls of yarn as even knitting 2 sleeves at a time I get in an awful mess.
I’ve been perusing books but found nothing so far. I need my Mum – she knew how to do it! I am not going to give up.
I couldn’t have guessed that you used different yarns for this sweater. It looks so intentional and balanced, the colours work very well together. The neck looks fine to me, leave it and enjoy wearing the sweater as long as it stays cold 🙂
Thanks Katharina, I was pleased with how it turned out and have worn it quite a bit already.
Great use of ‘random ball’s Sue. The striping is brilliantly regular, and the colours look great together. EZ is a bit strange to start with but once you get used to her mannerisms she is extremely understandable.
My sweater is just joined for the yoke – if it looks half as good as yours I’ll be happy. The Management describes it as bonkers. I’m not sure that’s good…..
I had to laugh about the Management’s comment! I’m just doing short sleeves for my second one, and I might even have a third in me one day! Looking forward to seeing yours.