Pattern: Polly, from Thrown Together by Kim Hargreaves

Yarn: Elann Superwash Chunky

Needles: US 10.5

Notes: Polly is a raglan, knit flat (fine by me) and seamed together at the end.  I reduced the number of buttons by one (I forgot to make the first buttonhole, but I think I like it better with fewer anyway.)  My sweater stretched by 3-4 inches measured flat (so 6-8 inches total) after blocking.   I think that’s because the pattern stitch is a form of ribbing, although it was probably helped along by the superwash yarn.

The yarn was nice enough, if basic, although it did have a tendency to split.  It is very soft, and compared to the other Elann chunky yarn (peruvian chunky) it feels like it will wear well.  It’s very economical for a chunky yarn, and I would recommend it in a heartbeat.

I wasn’t sure about the sweater when it was finished, but what it needed was the right shirt under.  I paired it with this turtleneck, and now I love it!  I never wore this shirt much before – it’s too plain on its own, but I didn’t have anything else it went with.  Polly was an easy knit, and it could have knit up even faster if I hadn’t been focusing on my socks.  I do like the mod of having fewer buttons – I think it makes the sweater more swingy rather than boxy.  Plus I got to use up the extra buttons from my Central Park hoodie!  My only complaint about this sweater is that the back rides up a bit (a common raglan issue) but since it is loose this isn’t so noticeable.

Pattern: Little Pumpkin socks

Yarn: Wollmeise 80/20 in Kurbis

Needles: US 0 DPNs

Notes: Favorite socks ever.  No joke.  The pattern was super easy to memorize, but has such a pretty result (this is my ideal in sock patterns – I get bored easily, but I’m not staring at a chart.)  I did have some trouble with the cables the first time, but then it was easy.  I knit on 4 rather than 5 DPNs, and that was no problem.   I knit them exactly to specs, and they are perfect on my size 8, slightly narrow feet.

The Wollmeise took some getting used to – it is strangely dry and unyielding.  By the end I was used to it, and I would use it again, should the insane demand ever die down. The resulting socks are sturdy and will wear well I think.  The yarn is slightly thicker than some, which I actually prefer (I am not a fan of, for instance, Shepherd Sock… too skinny.)  I used my regular doubled cast on (cast on with 2 strands of yarn, makes a stretchy top) and they are easy to put on, but they don’t fall down.  The color is gorgeous, simply one of my favorites!

My next socks will use Malabrigo sock.  Last night I cast on for a pair of Embossed Leaves, but I think the yarn is too dark for that… I will try twisted tweed instead (picked out by my husband, who thinks spiraling patterns are nifty.)