The Sweet Sweater of Success!

At the end of last year I set out on a quest to figure out how to knit a sweater that would suit me and survive washing and wearing.  This is much more of a challenge for wool-free knitters I can assure you because plant fibers are, for the most part, not too elastic.   

I found a great yarn, Kollage Riveting (a recycled denim yarn that actually shrinks, rather than grows when you wash it). 

I found a pattern with lovely waist shaping.  I chose the RIGHT size for my measurements. I cast on and I knit, and I knit, and I knit, and I knit. 

And then I washed it.  And here's the best part, it fits, it flatters, it's EVERYTHING I'd hoped for in a cardigan.  Relaxed, easy care, comfortable, but still fresh, and with the ruffled collar, a little bit "enchanting".   SIGH -- it feels SO GOOD.  

 PORTRAIT  BY SANDI ROSNER, KOLLAGE RIVETING, FOREST DENIM.

I gave my husband the camera while we went for a quick walk around the neighborhood with the dog.  It wasn't quite sweater weather, but I had to have photos and LOTS of them. I  wanted to show you this sweater from every angle. 

Miles of seed stitch ribbing, but it was worth it.  Such a soft, pretty texture. 

Pure Poetry in Motion.

I just adore the ruffled collar -- although when I was working 300 plus stitches in seed stitch I might have said otherwise!

I'm going to get a LOT of wear out of this sweater -- it's so versatile.   

 Time to head home -- which presents the perfect opportunity to show you the back of the sweater.

Which might possibly be my favourite side.

So, finally, at long last I have achieved sweater success --  I might never take it off!

Kudos to  the designer Sandi Rosner for such a lovely pattern.  And thanks to Amy Herzog for teaching me about fit.  And thanks to my husband for the great photos. And thanks to all of you for your encouragement along the way!

Comments

[norma]

this is really a pretty sweater
congrats and you are my daughter? amazing what you have been able to accomplish. Nicely knit and looks super on you love momxxx

[Dawn]

Beautiful job on your sweater! I have knitting a sweater on my to get done this year list.

I picked up a skein of that yarn at Stitches, I can't wait to knit with it. As it may be a contender for my sweater.

[Dorothy]

It looks GREAT!!! And it totally fits you perfectly.

Congratulations!!!

[beth]

Fantastic sweater! Looks great on you!
Great photos of the neighborhood.

[Alyssa]

Looks beautiful! Congrats on your hard work paying off. Your neighborhood looks wonderful.

[AmyS]

Oh my goodness, it is absolutely adorable - I want one... miles of seed stitch or no, it's perfect!

[Leslie]

Yea!!!! That is totally beautiful and very inspirational -- after a few fails in a row, I have been scared to do another sweater...

[Wool Free and Lovin' Knit]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments --it sure feels good to finally have a "keeper" -- I wish you all the same!