I joined the Handknit Holidays KAL. Was there ever a doubt?
I have a couple small projects in mind from the book, but I gave in and bought yarn for the pullover that I fell in love with the first time I saw it.
I wanted to modify the colorway a bit so I went with a yarn I could get locally (it’s just too hard to see how colors work next to each other online). I would have loved to have found a nice angora blend to work with, but nothing had the color variety I needed. So I went with Nashua Creative Focus Worsted. The gauge is 5spi versus 5.5 but the color range was right. What it means is I can knit one size smaller and get the right size.
I stayed fairly true to the original colors except I went with black instead of the green/brown shade as the main color.
I’m missing 2 colors as well. A bright red and a strong blue are on order.
I can’t end this post without talking about this yarn for a bit. Why have I not read more about this on the blogs? It is *wonderful* yarn. The worsted is the same gauge and yardage as Cascade 220 but with 25% alpaca. It retails at $8/skein so it’s very reasonably priced. There’s also a chunky and a subtle stripe similar to noro. There are 4 pattern books out now with designs ranging from simple cardis and pullovers to cabled or multicolored sweaters and outerwear. With almost 40 adult-friendly shades in their palette I expect to see this one gaining more attention this season.
Oooh, I’m excited to see how to works out. I’m quite like it myself.
The pictures on bcentral.com look as though some of the colors are plied and some are singles. Is that accurate?
Hey I didn’t know there was a KAL for the book!
It is really nice yarn, I agree. I especially like the “Work” book. I keep looking at it and thinking it will come home with me some day. I have my eyes set on one particular pattern… probably this summer.
Enjoy!
I LOVE that sweater. Can’t wait to see this. Now, I have to go check out this KAL site… you just had to point that one out didn’t you? 😉
Nashua’s gorgeous, isn’t it? I love that stuff. We carry the variegateds at KC, and Stitch DC has the solids that you bought. I love them. Keep us posted on the sweater.
Nashua’s gorgeous, isn’t it? I love that stuff. We carry the variegateds at KC, and Stitch DC has the solids that you bought. I love them. Keep us posted on the sweater.
How much yarn did you get? I was looking at the yarn requirements in the book and almost fainted. They can’t be right, can they?
Jessica — there’s definitely a mistake in the book regarding yardage for this sweater. I did the same thing as you at first. So I went to Kimmet Croft’s site (http://www.fairyhare.com/orderpage.htm) and saw that 1 ounce is 100 yards (NOT 400). At 100 yds/oz the weights seemed right so I went with it.
So funny you posted about the Nashua. I was just at the LYS today (Stash in Berkeley) and picked up the Nashua, thinking what the heck is this stuff? Never heard of it and it looks rather nice. Maybe it’ll start getting some press. Can’t wait to get my copy of Handknit Holidays, it’s such a *fabulous* book.
Hi there, how ironic! I picked up 6 skeins of the same yarn on Saturday from my LYS. The color I got is a beautiful crimson called “Carmin”. Lastnight I started making a capelet from the holiday Vogue for a Xmas present for my aunt. So far, I like the yarn. But frogging can get a little messy because the yarn is somewhat hairy.
I made some Fuzzy Feet with the Nashua worsted and I’ve started a cable sweater from the American Designer book. I also made a striped hat from their Wooly Stripes. I have to agree, it’s a great yarn, well priced and extremely versatile. I’m planning on using it more in the future.
I was able to figure out the yarn requirements needed but in looking over the pattern(in a full fit of must start something new now!!) I’m confused on the needles and gauge.
In the gauge required and the needles used they list size 7us – and I’m not seeing where they are used in the pattern at all. Am I missing something. My assumption is they are used after the twisted rib portion and the main body and sleeve are knit in 7’s.
Have you started actually knitting this sweater yet? If so, what did you do?