Onto pastures new. Not at the expense of sewing I must say at the outset. It’s just I’m fed up of being in awe of everyone else’s knitting skills. I am desperately short of cardigans & sweaters (& smaller pieces of knitted things, but trust me to go for something big to start with). During Self Stitched September I also shrank one of my refashioned cardigans, leaving me with a candidate for felting (but one less cardigan!) So, one lunch time I ventured 5 minutes down the road from work to enter into the delights of this place …
Wool in Bath
It’s reasonably new & occupies the premises that once upon a time used to be a true favorite of mine: the craft shop. I used to love mooching around inside, peering through all the crafty decorations onto the shelves & drawers of boggly eyes, pipe cleaners, lino cutters and tapestry notions. Sadly it closed down, but at least its descendant follows on in its spirit. You’ll see there is a “SALE” sign up in the window. Unfortunately, & very unlike me, I couldn’t take advantage of any reductions so unfamiliar I am with yarn & how/ what you can do with specific varieties. Instead I squeezed onto the comfy sofa next to another browser where I could sift through more knitting pattern books than I could ever imagine could be housed in one place. And when I talked to the lady (& her mini dachshund) about finding a classic styled cardigan for a novice like me to try, she only disappeared to come back with even more pattern books! I wanted lots of them!
But I decided upon a Kim Hargreaves pattern, Wisdom.
Wisdom by Kim Hargreaves, click on image to go to website
It’s from the Cherished book, which has some lovely knits in it.
Wisdom is made with lots of double moss stitch with a round neck & cute little inset pockets knitted in a contrast colour. I’ve stuck completely with the recommended yarn – Rowan felted tweed.
It’ll be purple with lime pockets.
I’ve borrowed this book from the library. It’s fantastic – it might have to go on my wish list. There are lovely projects, a full array of different types of stitches and techniques. It makes me feel confident just reading it! ”Oh yes, I can do that, & that, & most definitely that …” What I’m totally impressed about are the diagrams. I reckon they can’t be beaten – they are the best I’ve seen for crochet too.
So, where am I? I had bought this back in August. Tell you what I couldn’t believe how much it came to (£Lots more than I expected!) I was expecting to be able to knit it whilst being sociable in the evenings. And that is still the plan- it’s just taking me longer to get started than I thought it would.
I have knitted 2x tension squares after having to reduce my needle sizes, twice. I have knitted about 10 rows now (exciting!) But my very wise mother (who has also turned her immensely capable hands to knitting in her past) advised me & I sighed. I should knit another tension square -how do I know that these needles are going to be right?
OK Mum, you are right – as always. I just want a cardigan though!!! I will learn though, won’t I?
Sounds like a marvelous project — purple and green, yummy. Sadly, your dear mother is right: you really must suffer through making those dratted gauge swatches. But when you find the magical combination of needles and yarn that are right for your hands, you’ll be amazed at how quickly the sweater grows in your fingers. At least, I always am amazed. To be sure, I usually knit up socks, as they are smaller and less sweat-inducing on my lap in the summertime. Happy knitting!
This is great! Knitting supplies can get quite pricey but having a self-stitched wool sweater can’t be beat. Congratulations on getting started with this new craft. Warning: it’s highly addictive!
I noticed that there are adverts for a new wool shop in bath and had it booked in for a visit when next I visit my son.
I never do tension squares ,which is perhaps the answer to why my knitting is so crap,as I just want to get on and make something.
Keep at it…if I can produce a jumper anyone can…especially if they are dedicated enough to produce multiple tension squares.
Thanks for your kind comments re my knitting attempts.The next jumper is already under way ( no tension square needless to say) and might post about it over the next day or two if it looks like it might be going right!
Catherine, your comment made me laugh – I don;t think your knitting is at all crappy – how on earth do you get away with not knitting tension squares- & yet produce such gorgeous knits?!
Oooh purple and lime you say?! Um yes – listen to your mother especially when you are new to this knitting lark! Gauge is all-important! You have picked a premium yarn and pattern so take your time to get it right and you will be rewarded in woolly heaven!
Thanks Roo, those are my thoughts too – not spending that much & frittering it away through needless haste. But it’s hard!
LinB & Andrea, thank you for your encouragement! It’s good to take it up- I have high hopes!!
Ooo! Exciting, you know what dear photo-alonging- in- public friend? I am knitting Wisdom too! In Rowan felted tweed (in the colors ginger and watery). And I looove the yarn. And it is taking much more time than I thought too (that darn moss stitch), but I love the pattern!
Oh, and everyone, including your mother is right about the tension… I love your color choice. It´s gorgeous!
Well fancy that Solvi-photoalong-in-public-queen! When you mentioned it recently on your blog I suspected we might be knitting the same thing. Don’t wait for me – I might be some time!! Your colours sound delicious too …. can’t wait to be inspired by you
Ooh, brave you are! I do drool over the knitted cardigans, but I fear I’ve never finished a knit project in my life and only ever one crochet piece bigger than my hand. My mom’s eternal basket of unfinished knits may have scarred me as well—I think on a subconscious level I’m convinced that nothing home-knitted can ever be finished.
Perhaps someday when I’ve more free-time (and energy) than sense… Good luck!
I’ve recently started knitting too. So far I haven’t made any tension squares. I’ve only made little things so far, like a stuffed toy rabbit for my sister, scarves, phone cosies etc. This weekend I’m starting on my first clothing item! Pretty excited. It’s a Rowan pattern, “Tender” from the book “Winter Drift”. Like you I chose the recommended wool, in fact the exact same colour as the pattern photograph because I liked it so much! I’m hoping with the chunky wool and big needles it will be a quick-ish project so I don’t lose interest half way through. Short attention span. Good luck with yours, I’m looking forward to seeing your finished cardigan. I love your colour choice.
Hello Victoria…. I feel like I should have gone for chunky to give me the illusion of progress! Good luck with your “Tender”
Ooh, I love Kim Hargreaves patterns, that wool, and also I have that same book and love it too. So I think you’re all set! I predict once you get started you’ll sail along. My only suggestion for you is, once you’ve done let’s say 6″ of the back (or whatever your first piece is), check your gauge again, just in case. In the spirit of getting the most out of your investment!
I often remember something a friend once said to me, which is very true: “knitted garments are very forgiving”.
Have fun!
Thanks Christine, I will take that advice & am glad that this will forgive me!!
I agree with everyone else and your mum. You have taken the most important first step – tension squares. When I started knitting I would skip this step out of impatience. I learnt the hard way. Months spent on a make in expensive Rowan wool, only to put the item on and it was huge on me. I knit fairly loosely so usually have to go down a needle or two. Good luck! Gorgeous colours.
Sounds so familiar … I’ll not learn the hard way …. just this right needle/ gauge slows me down!
Ooh, those colors are so pretty! I did my first two knit projects without tension squares and was rewarded with a pair of too-big socks and a pair of almost-too-small gloves. I guess tension squares it is, from now on…
So pretty! I have been hoping to get wise through knitting for years, but so far no luck. I do have one hint on gauge: start knitting on a sleeve, then if you are a bit off there are fewer stitches to multiply your discrepancy and you can adjust the size only suffering a slightly too small or too large lower arm, which is no big deal.
Hi Alessa, you are convincing me that there is wisdom in tension squares! And Sigrid, you knit so well I wouldn’t be surprised if you have an offroad trick or two … I like your tip …. we’ll see what the next tension square brings! (I may have to unravel the back I’ve been too impatient to start!)
I’ve got that one on my needles at the moment but with the green as the main colour and red pockets. It looks stunning. I’ve made other things with this wool and it knits up a dream. Beware instructions for the button band though. As far as I can see they have left out the instruction to add garter stitch button band to left front although it’s clearly referred to elsewhere .. or perhaps I’m not reading it correctly. Good luck ..
You need to take about 12-16 stitches out of each side of the Rowan “Tender” and knit on #13 rather than #15, otherwise even a “small” would fit a cow! I ripped out my first sweater and did it again about 1/3 smaller than the patter suggests. Seems ok now.
Thanks Jerry – I’ve not got anywhere near that stage yet … have had to take a break to knit for Christmas (am now kind of trepidatious of what it turns into!!)