You may be asking yourselves “Didn’t she used to knit?” Well, I do still knit, though obviously not as much lately. But here’s the thing… I have 90 bajillion sweaters, and I’ve wanted to really focus the last few months on amping up my sewing skills, with the aim of making most of my wardrobe handmade, both sweaters and clothes (at some point in the distant future!) And I am probably more of a product crafter than a process crafter – I enjoy knitting and sewing or I wouldn’t do them, but I am more focused on the end result than the process. So knitting has fallen by the wayside. I knew that when the time was right I would want to start a new sweater – no way could I give up something that has been such a great part of my life! Lately, I’ve been missing it, especially after the beetle debacle, but it’s taken til now to get everything out of cold storage and sorted away.
I wanted to start a little cardigan to go with all the great sundresses I’ve been making, so during the Project Runway finale (so happy with the outcome of this season!) I cast on:
This is Dawn, from Kim Hargreaves’ Breeze book. I am creating a smaller size, since I think the XS would be big on me, and the stitch pattern is stretchy. I actually bought the yarn for this (Rowan handknit cotton) when I got the book, but I’ve only just now gotten around to it. I originally thought it would be great with my current dress project, but that’s what I get for knitting at night… this yarn is clearly ivory and not white. But that’s ok – it will go with everything that isn’t white, and I look better in ivory than in white.
I love this book… I’ve made several of the sweaters, and still have more planned! I’m planning to get Kim’s new book soon. I skipped her last winter one, because I was a little burned out on patterns (what?) but I’m over that now. I’ll probably get that one as well – because in spite of the expense of these books, I use the heck out of them. The styles are classic and do not date. Look at these beautiful sweaters!
Lovely! I am resolved to knit with more cotton – I find that I wear my cotton sweaters more, as they don’t overheat me… and are unattractive to bugs (yes, I am scarred.) Let’s face it, I don’t exactly live in the arctic circle, and I have a few sweaters (Vaila is one) that are almost always too warm. And since I’m sewing as well, and splitting my time, I don’t hurt my wrists on the cotton. I am actually amazed that I have managed to knit as much as I do and be a pianist without developing carpal tunel… though if I had to guess I would say that I don’t carry much tension in my hands or wrists, which may help? I do have tendinitis from long ago, but as long as I don’t go crazy with the knitting (as I sometimes have) it’s ok.
Now we will see how long it takes me to finish this one. The pattern is straightforward, but there are a lot of P2togs, which tend to slow me down. I worry that it might be a bit of a slog, but hopefully it will be worth it!
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
Wow, I can’t believe it, I just did a post on Kim’s patterns TODAY!!! This is really some coincidence! You are such a great knitter, I can’t wait to see this finished…
I’m a pianist and I knit all the time AND I am always lifting my increasingly larger children (age 2 and 4 currently) and I’ve never had carpal tunnel or tendonitis. I think some of us just have good genes for that sort of thing. I’ve never bought a Kim Hargraeves book before, but I think this post convinced me I need to order this one – those sweaters are all gorgeous!
Love the 2 short sleeved ones on the left – might have to check them out!
I know what you mean about wool knits – so much of what I have made is only worn for a couple of months of the year…
Hope you’re having fun with Doris!
All the patterns look gorgeous, no wonder you want to knit them all. I am thinking that perhaps I need to knit more with cotton as our summers seem to get longer each year and we dont really have that much winter weather. Your new cotton sweater will suit all those beautiful clothes that you make and wear.
Hi. Love to see you knitting once again but I also love to see the sewing – just can’t get enough of both. I can’t wait to see the sweater completed. I may have to look into purchasing Kim Hargreaves book as well (maybe, you should get commission). I unfortunately have had carpul tunnel and it is terribly painful. Years of typing and adding machines have done damage but I still want to knit and sew. Great job. Look forward to your blog each day.
Any suggestions for a simple summer top for my 25 year old daughter. I have some verigated mauve and would like to make her a top but can’t seem to find something that isn’t overly patterned. Thank you.
Wow, those are some gorgeous patterns! I am wondering where you order those books from. After doing an internet search, I can only find a direct order from her personal website, and they are super pricey. Without adding the shipping. I’m sure yours will be very pretty and can’t wait to see it!
WEBS has them:
http://search.yarn.com/search?w=kim+hargreaves&x=0&y=0
They are expensive, but I use them more than any of my other books. Heartfelt is my favorite, followed by Breeze. They don’t have the newest one yet, but they should soon!
Thank you for sharing some sweaters from the kim hargreaves book. I will definitely check it out. It seems to be just my style. 🙂
I’m a musician too- violin and piano- and when I knit I have to be careful about not holding tension in my arms. No carpal tunnel yet, but tendonitis has been a problem for me too.
Love it! I can’t wait to see the finished product.
I saw Misty for the first time yesterday — LOVE it! Especially Arielle. Any ideas for a yarn sub? Fine Milk Cotton is pretty expensive.
Dawn is great, too, and I am looking forward to seeing yours. I know it’ll be beautiful.
Oh, boy! I love those sweaters. So timeless and feminine. I like the first short sleeved one and the beautiful shrug the best. 🙂
So happy to hear that your starting a new project! I love seeing
your work and cant wait to see more.
Since I dont sew at all I have really missed your knitting lately. Just so you know it truely inspires me ( and many others I’m sure)
I’ve been waiting to see what sweater pattern you’d choose next, and that looks like such a versatile one to add to your wardrobe!
I’ve never knit a Kim Hargreaves pattern before, but I like what you’ve posted here, very classic. The only thing is, I need sweaters with at least 3/4 sleeves, as I am always freezing! I’ll get a break in May and then the A/C will be blasting everywhere.
those sweaters are beautiful! I’m really love Kim Hargreaves patterns, im going to start one shortly
good luck : )
I love both knitting and sewing. They satisfy different parts of me. Sewing is more frenetic and exciting, knitting a meditative indulgence. Welcome back to a knitting project – it looks gorgeous.
I like those patterns – I may have to pick up that book. After this month-long gala sewing project, I am really looking forward to doing some knitting and everyday wardrobe sewing.
Knitting is great but it can take a long time to finish, but with sewing it goes very quickly. Almost instant gratification!
I totally know what you mean with the cotton sweaters. I tend to spin everything I knit and I recently forced myself to start spinning cotton so that I could knit myself something I could wear year round!
The one you’re making is such a cute pattern and will look great over just about everything – and you can’t go wrong with ivory!
Those sweaters are really pretty, especiallyt the bottom two!
I love the dark brown sweater!!! It is super cute
I don’t knit, but those sweaters you posted are super cute. I hope the one you’re working on goes together smoothly.