Something Purple This Way Comes
The cool weather we've been having in Chicago has got me thinking about fall knitting and long sleeve wooly garments. In the spring, I ordered some Muench Bergamo in a nice purply color to make Salt Peanuts, a Veronik Avery sweater from the Spring 2004 issue of Interweave Knits.
Of course, by the time I had the yarn and had the time to make the sweater, it was time to get into the swing of warm weather knitting. So the Bergamo got stashed.
And then Doom3 arrived on the shelves.
Now, you might be wondering what a first-person shooter could have to do with Salt Peanuts. Well, the answer is simple. I've be watching my favorite guy play Doom 3 in our home theatre room. A dark room makes for the best gaming, but not for the best knitting. I needed something simple and mostly stockinette that could keep my hands busy while I watched John make progress on Mars.
Click Here for a Closeup
Pretty, no? I just love the heathery quality.
One little surprise for me: this lovely swatch was knit on US size 10-1/2 needles and is 17 stitches x 25 rows to 4" square. For whatever reason, when I looked at the sweater in IK, it just didn't look like a sweater on the slightly bulky side. But I definitely got gauge on the recommended needles and I got a very nice, dense fabric. It reminds me a little bit of sweatshirt material from a density and comfiness perspective.
Relatively large needles and just a bit bigger than aran weight yarn also makes for very fast knitting. Here's the results of a couple of gaming sessions:
It's the little lacy detail in the ribbing that separates this sweater from just another cardigan done on big yarn and big needles:
I ordered the recommended amount of yarn, but I am already worried that maybe I should have ordered an extra skein. This sleeve took just about 3 skeins. I was thinking about trying to get both sleeves out of the way first, but now I think I am going to tackle the back next, just in case I have to be creative towards the end...
That's looking nice. I like your color choice. I'm still searching for a cardigan pattern to use for making my first cardigan and this is one I had seen and liked. I'll be interested in reading all about your experience on this one- even though you knit so fast and nicely that you make it all look very easy each time!
Beautiful lace at the cuffs, and WHAT a fabric. Lovely, lovely. I'm not surprised by your color choice, by the way. You wear purple so well :-)
Very,very nice.
It's definately the time for autumn cardigan knitting.Yours will be lovely.
I love your salt peanuts and the color is divine. What type of blocking board do you have - it looks amazing.
The Salt Peanuts is looking great! I've been working on mine for a couple weeks, and love it so far. I'm moving a bit slower than you though, I've finished the back and half a sleeve. There is a knit along for it, but the moderator seems to have abandoned it. You might find some of the tips helpful.
Also I second the question about the blocking board, what type is it?
I got Bergamo for that sweater, too ~ but mine's gray. And now I'm thinking of making a pullover from the fall FCEK instead -- but I'll watch your progress before I decide!
I was completely amazed at how non-bulky salt peanuts looks in bergamo. It just shrinks down and gets all squishy. I love it. I'm doing mine in a heathy green.
Theresa,
A bit off topic, but could you give me details on your blocking board, please?
What is it made of?(it's not the cardboard one, is it?) Looks like you can pin into it? Did you get it someplace easily accessible?
Love your blog, keeps me inspired, Thanks, Connie
That cardi is adorable and I love all the lace on the edging. The yarn looks sooo yummy also. Beautiful color. ;-)
wow! I've never seen a Salt Peanuts knit up so quickly! The color is beautiful - and isn't the fabric so suprising? Not like anything I've ever knit up before. Continue to have fun with your Salty Peanuts!
Don't you just love Bergamo? I just finished blocking my pieces and I've sewn together the shoulders and collar. It's taken me a very LOOONG time to get to that point! I was so confused by the directions on the fronts. If you need help, JenLa has written up something to help explain all those "at the same time"s. So jealous that you got gauge with 10.5! I had to go down to 6...super loosey-goosey knitter, I guess!
I've learned my extra skein lesson one too many times. Always buy one more than the pattern says. This is a rule. ;-)
I ended up using the number of skeins the pattern said, with just a little bit left over. Of course, I changed my mind about size after ordering, so I had lots of extra yarn if I had needed it.
I've got Bergamo in stash for Salt Peanuts too, and I'm worried about running out of yarn too. I ordered the prescribed amount but Elann had run out by the time I realized how *little* each skein actually knit!
gorgeous color! i can't wait to see it come together. after the end of doom 3, my boyfriend decided to get completely absorbed by system shock 2. it never ends!
To all those interested in my blocking board, it's a SpaceBoard. You can get it from KnitPicks (www.knitpicks.com) but you may have to order it by phone instead of online... it also takes a little time for it to come. Prepare to be patient!
As to "enough yarn" -- well, I am just lucky sometimes. I went back to Elann and discovered that they still have a lot of Bergamo in my color and my dye lot. I just ordered two more skeins -- and a Brittany crochet hook -- better safe than sorry, I figure. And for anyone who might want to make this sweater, there's plenty of the purple and the grey left...
And Lauren... there is always another first person shooter to try, another universe to save! Glad to hear that your BF has good taste in games. System Shock is both creepy and has a good story! I've been actually thinking about dusting it off and loading it on my new laptop.
Awesome color and yarn. Don't you just love the name too... Salt Peanuts! How fun! That pattern is a beautiful one and I agree I like the heatherly look of the yarn! Can't wait to see the finish product :)
Good luck with Salt Peanuts! It's a fun knit (although I found it a bit tricky since it was my first sweater).
What does John think of Doom 3? It's selling like hot cakes here in the UK.