Could it Be?
I'm in the process of becoming a French yarn fanantic. Yes, I know, everyone else discovered Phildar wonderfulness last year while I was having Filatura di Crossa fever. In addition to Tendences (which I picked up to be ready for the Onde-A-Long that Bonne Marie is hosting), I also decided to treat myself to Famille which has lovely patterns for the Phil'Onde as well. (In case you are looking for a North American source for these publications (with English translation), you can find them at Knit 'n' Tyme in Canada.)
While paging through Famille, I came across this:
Thalassa in Jeans and Ciel
And I thought to myself, That Husband guy of mine with the big shoulders would look awfully good in that. But would he wear it... hmmm... it is grey... and then I put the magazine away for a while until he came home.
Then the big test came. I opened Famille, put it in front of him and asked him (as I have so many times) Do you like this?
Of course, I was expecting I don't think so, Therese (which is what he calls me, and what he usually tells me when I confront him with a sweater pattern. Instead... Yeah, I'd wear that. That's not bad
Whoa.
Now, Phil'Onde is actually a good yarn as far as man-friendliness is concernded. It's mostly acrylic, with a little cotton thrown in for good measure, so it's very washable, which means he can wear it against his skin, which he likes. It's also soft and friendly without having that acrylicky feel. It only has one little problem... it likes to be knit up on 3.5 - 4.0 mm needles. And the love of my life is not exactly a small guy -- he's got nice big shoulders. So this won't be a tiny sweater, but it will be on tiny needles
But he likes it. And it will be very striking on him.
What do you think? Should he get this sweater? Wouldn't it be great for fall?
P.S. Today's real "knitting content" can be found here at the Audrey KnitAlong blog. I've been swatching, and I finally got gauge!
I'd actually like to take a closer look at that pattern myself. Can you email me info like the required gauge and where to find said book?
Thanks!
Jon
You know the answer,don't you ? !!!
Of course you have to knit it.It's tres sexy in a manly,chunky way.I even think Allan would wear that !
One word, my dear:
YES!!!!!!
That is, quite possibly, one of the few sweaters Monsieur Le Hubby liked from the books I showed him. He is quite picky. If I didn't insist on other colors I'd probably have to knit everything in gray or brown for him! And that sweater is nicely shaped for a man with broad shoulders. Yes, yes! Knit it for the man!
(If you decide on this sweater, I suggest that you don't wait *too* long to get the yarn. Phildar has strange but clever marketing practices. They love to issue novelty yarns for only a couple of seasons so that people will snatch them up.)
oui, oui
I would have pegged this as more of a blue (instead of grey), but yes, is does have a nice rugged look to it. It's probably sacrilige, but this colorway would probably also look nice as a Spring/Fall scarf to wear with a denim jacket.
Anne
ps. Keeping the hubby happy with knits is probably a good thing, especially if it means he pays less attention to the stash!
Holy cow....he actually said "That's not bad"? I don't know if you realize it, but that's the male equivelent of "I love that sweater and can't live without it". He's never going to give you a stronger statement than that. Knit quickly....men are fickle.
Yesssssss! It is a great sweater, and washable - I made my husband a sweater that is handwash only (silly me), and it only comes out "for special occasions." Plus, at the rate you knit, I don't think gauge should be too much of an issue (it might take you two weeks instead of one?)! I've been wondering, how does the Onde work? Do they have different size skeins depending on the size project?
Anne -- I'm trying to find out more about the actual color way. I think the "Ciel" is a little bluey, but that would be okay if it is grey blue and not baby blue.
Stephanie -- that's exactly what he said. And believe you me, I know the man code you're talking about. I'm never going to get a stronger signal from him!
Anne-Caroline -- been there, done that. John has a Jaeger Natural Fleece sweater that was meant to be casual but he still doesn't get it out very often b/c "he might ruin it". So the washability here is important.
Phil'Onde is neat stuff. It decreases in color depth as you knit it up. (I.e. it goes from dark to light). And then you buy skeins of the light color to finish out the tops. So basically you start at the bottom of the piece, work until the color gradient ball runs out and then add the "solid" color. The gradient balls are twice the yardage as the solids.
You simply must knit him that sweater!
Oh yes, I think he should get the sweater, but only if he is a tad more enthusiastic about it. Perhaps two steps up from "I wouldn't be caught dead in that" and one step up from "If all my other clothing was dirty I guess I would wear that" would mean he's deserving of it?
Chuckle. When it comes to clothes, John is a low key but very particular guy. I've never seen him gush about anything. But he does show his appreciation in other ways. He actually asked for a pair of socks and he does make dinner for me every night. And he's never once complained about a yarn acquisition.
The real test will be whether he wears the sweater. If he wears it and I have a hard time getting it away from him, I'll know he likes it.
Yes! Most definitely! My dh is not a fan of sweaters, has a closet full and won't wear them sigh......Now, If I could just find out where I could order the model wearing the sweater ;)
I just emailed a picture of that sweater to my guy, who doesn't usually like the idea of handknit sweaters because he worries that they'll look too homemade. but this one looks an awful lot like the store-bought ones he buys, and would look great on him, as well as giving me a chance to use that ingenious Onde. thanks for the idea! now I'm just waiting for his response...
Hey, of course you should knit it. :)
I know about knitting for big men very well - mine is at least a XL and I've done some sweaters in sock yarn for him ... It can get a bit boring from time to time, but the admiration you'll get is it well worth.
Beate
Yes, you should knit it! I may have to ask my John if he'd like one--he does not wear sweaters, as in the heavy, scratchy variety. Maybe there's a DH knitalong out of this... :o)