Do the Monkey! | home | Summer, Babe!
May 18, 2007
From 80 to 50 in two days…
Yeah, a couple of days ago I was melting, but this morning it’s back to pretty darn chilly around here. It just so happens my post fits in perfectly with the crazy spring weather.
project: Alpaca Hooded Sweater
source: based on Ann Budd’s Handy Book of Sweaters Raglan pattern
yarn: Berocco Ultra Alpaca - 6 hanks
color: Camel Hair & Buckwheat
needles: #7 & 8 Circs
Finally finished a few weeks ago! This sweater feels like it took forever, maybe because I had to frog practically the entire too-big thing once and start over. I thought I’d never run out of all those little balls of beige and brown!
Despite the trouble I totally love the sweater….except for one tiny detail. My hood is way too shallow to be functional. You’d think after doing two other hoods this winter, I’d have perfected the darn thing, but sadly, raglan decreases and hood calculations caused my brain to shut down (watching Lost at the same time didn’t help).
Maybe at some point I’ll fix it, or just frog the hood and make it a simple crewneck. But the yarn is great and pretty soft, and wasn’t the worse for wear after all that froggin’ either, though a bit wiggly in these pre-blocked photos. It will definitely be nice and warm for next winter, but enough about the cold!
As for new news, I’ve already gotten a jump on both summer tops I mentioned.
This is a free pattern from IK, the Summertime Tunic. I dug through the stash and found some Lion Brand Microspun from forever ago. I know the yarn has nice drape, so I think it will be fine. I’m a little concerned that the dark silver color will end up making me look like a droopy disco ball though. We’ll see.
The other top is from the fantastic book Fitted Knits, done in the new Lion Brand Cotton Ease. I actually bought this book just for this top, I loved it instantly. But after checking out the KAL (yes, I signed up for both of these KALs), there must be at least 5 other things I’ve gotta have now. Everyone there is knitting amazing things.
There will of course also be lots and lots of socks this summer, thanks to Favorite Socks and More Sensational Knitted Socks, both books I now have in my hot little hands.
As requested, a closeup of the gusset, this one from the second pair of monkeys that are flying off the needles.
23 comments
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At 11:40 am on May 18, 2007, stacey commented:
you must be in my area - I couldn’t believe how cold it was yesterday after having 80 degree temps at the beginning of the week!
love the sweater - classic lines, love the stripes!
At 12:07 pm on May 18, 2007, Zonda commented:
Love the sweater! Bummer about the hood though! Guess it’s just meant to be decorative!
Is that CE in taupe? I got a bunch of it, can’t decide if I want a summer top or long sleeve sweater…great sale I hit
Lovely colorway on the sock!
At 12:15 pm on May 18, 2007, Lani commented:
Thank you for the closeup of the gussets! If you don’t mind, I would like to save it to my computer (not to my website) so I can have a clear picture of what they should look like.
And the hoodie looks so warm and comfortable! Perfect for curling up on the couch in the winter and knitting!
At 1:19 pm on May 18, 2007, Lolly commented:
I really love the hoodie! I have some stash yarn that I was planning to use for a simple hooded pulli. I was even thinking of stripes! Seeing your version makes me realize it is a good thought!
I love the tunic. I may have to make one of those for myself. And I think I have some Microspun in the stash too. How many balls will it use?
At 1:28 pm on May 18, 2007, Romi commented:
I love it! I need one of those….
At 1:48 pm on May 18, 2007, Kara commented:
Oh my goodness. That is one of the most perfect knitted hoodies ever. I love it!!! And the stripes are awesome.
You clever girl, you!
At 2:51 pm on May 18, 2007, Annie commented:
Oooh, adult sized sweaters! I can’t wait to make one. I can’t wait to see your tank top!
At 3:45 pm on May 18, 2007, Heather commented:
It’s downright chilly here as well today…your sweater is fantastic. I love that Ann Budd book and use it constantly.
At 4:24 pm on May 18, 2007, tiennie commented:
I love your sweater! Big stripes like that - oh how I wish I could pull that look off. My big chest would distort the stripes. Your monkeys are looking great. Is that STR Little Bunny Foo Foo b/c I was thinking of knitting monkeys in that colorway.
At 5:11 pm on May 18, 2007, hpny knits commented:
its cold her in NYC as well- another great day to wear my hand knits! I love the hoodie! no one ever really wears the hood anyway, but its cute!
At 5:54 pm on May 18, 2007, Knittypants commented:
Great sweater. Looks like one you will get loads of wear out of.
Your two summer tops are cute, too. Look forward to seeing your progress.
At 9:09 pm on May 18, 2007, jen commented:
Your sweater is so beautiful! So cozy looking and warm! Great colour choices too.
At 10:37 am on May 19, 2007, Allegra commented:
The hoodie looks so comfy! Dare I ask what yarn you’re knitting Monkey with? Your first pair of Monkeys are awesome too!
At 2:54 pm on May 19, 2007, Amy commented:
Oh that alpaca sweater must be so soft and cuddly warm. I love the warm browns you chose for it!
At 7:29 am on May 21, 2007, lyn commented:
Love your hoodie and it looks like your summertime knits are coming along great
At 8:36 am on May 21, 2007, KnitPastis commented:
I love this hoodie sweater! It looks so awesome on you and it’s a sweater you can wear all the time. A classic. I have one of these on my list but not with the crappola yarn I have:) Beautiful and one of my favorites that you have made!!
At 8:57 pm on May 21, 2007, Nora commented:
I agree with everyone else - the hoodie looks stunning on you. Love the colour combination and am into stripes myself lately…
At 9:21 am on May 22, 2007, lisa commented:
Love the sweater and sorry about the good. Love the colours as well.
At 2:21 pm on May 22, 2007, aija commented:
I love the stripes!! Its gotten weirdly chilly here, too lately.
At 10:04 pm on May 22, 2007, Asaknitter commented:
I really like the striped hoodie.
At 5:27 pm on May 23, 2007, traci commented:
a hoodie is a staple for life and if it’s striped, all the better!
those socks are very cool looking. they look a little tricky though. would you recommend the books you mentioned as ‘must haves’ or is there another that would be better for a beginner? i want to try a pair this summer and i’m looking for some pattern/yarn suggestions from people who have already been there. thanks!
At 4:01 pm on May 25, 2007, Debby commented:
I love your hooded sweater, though it’s 80F at the moment and I can’t imagine knitting it, much less wearing it. Like you, I’m thinking summer knits now.
At 6:50 pm on May 30, 2007, ali commented:
I can’t ever get enough stripes! Not sure about why, just some quirky stripe obsession I have…
Love the colorway on those monkeys!
Happy knitting-
ali