WOW.....Two posts back to back....it is a miracle! Here is my Fireside Sweater and I really, really love it. I wouldn't say it is the most "stylish" sweater, but it is one that I wear A LOT. It is warm, comfortable, cozy and goes with my uggs which I wear all winter!
Pattern: Fireside Sweater (Rav Link)
Yarn: Cascade Ecological Wool
Needles: US 8
Size: Small
Mods: Made the sleeves about 2" longer and worked the small cables on the sleeve so that they both turned in towards the large center cable.
Thoughts: I LOVE the sweater. However, if I knit it again, which I may in dark gray, I would still knit a size small but I would go down a needle size. The sweater is not as fitted as I would like it....though it is comfortable the way it is! If you look at the picture of the back, you can see where there are gaps at the side of the cables.....I don't like that. I have knit many sweaters with cables and have never had this problem before and I think it is because the gauge just needs to be a bit tighter. Going down a needle size would give me a closer fitting sweater without those gaps. I would also knit add an extra inch or so to the body.
I think this is an amazing pattern and it is the first pattern for the designer. There are some issues with the charts. If you are an experienced knitter, you will catch this right away.....if you are not an experienced knitter then it could easily mess up the cables on the sweater.
This sweater was actually a pretty quick knit. I started it in September and finished it in October - I think it took about six weeks. I was also working on Christmas and birthday gifts at the same time. I will definitely start another this summer in a dark gray.
I do have a few other things I am working on. I have a completed Ishbel to show you.....I have made four of these so far! Love the pattern. I also have a couple sweaters I am knitting and one is close to completion. I am hoping I can finish it before I start the nursing program in less than three weeks! I still haven't shown you Vivian because I need to take it in to get a zipper put on it. I attempted it and can't figure it out....so if any of you have advice on that, please feel free to share!!!!!! I am going to go into my second winter without wearing it if I don't take it in soon!
I will try to post about my Ishbel tomorrow and my WIP's. Maybe if I get in the habit of blogging again I won't go on such a long hiatus!
Last but not least - than you all to your words of encouragement on keeping the blog up. I can't believe some of you still tune in but I really appreciate it and I will keep it going. I need to start enjoying it again!
