double duty
I’m really happy with my finished Tempest. I’ve already found a couple of opportunities to wear it, and I just know it’s going to get a lot more use because the lightweight fabric is so versatile. Using sock yarn for a sweater might seem crazy if you are too focused on how long it will take, but when paired with larger needles, the sweater was a quick knit and the results are wonderful.
The sock yarn at a looser gauge yields a fabric that feels wonderful… soft but sturdy. It’s light weight, so this garment will do double duty: as a layered element to keep warm in winter, and also as a light something to ward off a stray chill during warmer months.
And then there are the colors. This sweater is so striking! I like stripes and red is a color I wear frequently, so I’m really excited with the overall effect… but it is not subtle! Say what you will about the hype surrounding Wollmeise yarns, but there is no arguing that Claudia’s bright colorways are the height of bold saturation. And I happen to like bright colors!
It’s a little hard to tell in the full sunlight of these pictures, but I used a multicolor red as a second contrast color for the skinny stripes of the waist shaping. It adds some subtle extra detail that I am happy with. Beyond that, the modifications I made to this pattern were minimal– it’s extremely well-written, so it didn’t need much tinkering. I did decide to knit my turned hems at the cast-on edge for sewing later instead of picking up and knitting them at the end, so I knit a few rows stockinette and a turning row before starting the pattern for the back, fronts, and sleeves. Also, I evenly spaced the buttons across the button band, which I bound off using my current favorite technique: I-cord bind-off. It just leaves such a nice, firm-yet-squishy edge!
I am thrilled with this sweater, and I’m really inspired to knit garments and other big projects these days. Even though Tempest was a quick, straightforward knit, I can’t get enough of planning projects that are complicated, involved or lengthy… it’s just so satisfying to conquer them and produce usable, beautiful projects. So I hope to have more gorgeously exciting finished products to show you soon!
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WOW! That looks awesome on you! It really came out beautifully.
I’ve got yarn for one in my stash. Maybe one of these days I’ll actually start it. :D
Wow, it looks so great! I love those colors with your dark hair, too. This sweater is on my list :)
I love Wollmeise yarn and I’ve found it to be very sturdy. It’s a great choice for a loosely-knit sweater.
GREAT finished object. I’ve been looking forward to seeing how this came out. If I am ever lucky enough to get some of that yarn, those will be colors I choose!
Love it! The black and red is a great combination. That looks like a very wearable sweater – you’ll get lots of use out of it, I’m sure!
Just Fabulous! I like how you used a different colorway of red for the middle stripes!
Beautiful! Tempest looks awesome in the stunning black and red. You wear it well.
What beautiful colors, wonderful workmanship, lovely garment! Glad I stopped by.
Blogless Mary Lou
Yay! Congratulations on such a beautiful FO!
It looks FABULOUS on your girl! Enjoy it! Love the color choice too!
LUV it!!!! And it has been too long since I’ve seen you you are look FAB!!!! Losing weight and darken the hair color! Just great knit work Em!!
Lovely. You look marvelous! Not many can pull off bright colors AND horizontal stripes, but you are fabulous in that sweater. Thanks so much for sharing and participating in Fiber Arts Friday!
It does look great!
You did a great job and that’s interesting to use sock yarn. I often love the colors of a sock and wonder sometimes what the skein might look like in a different garment. Very nice.
Em, I hadn’t looked at your blog in a while and LOVE Tempest. It looks really great on you. The redesign of your site is beautiful, too.
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