19.1.12

knitting and downton

a little downton, a little knitting
a little downton, a little knitting
flickr138
flickr137

there has been no better time to feel under the weather than these last couple cold and snowy days.  i'm tired of feeling cruddy, but have enjoyed making the most out of being stuck indoors and unable to much of anything.  and how did i luck out on getting sick while there's actually something good to watch online?  thank you, downton abbey!

and what goes better with a period drama than knitting?  after finishing a little valentine's present this last saturday, i decided to keep going on my hand knitting kick and see what i could make with four skeins of the perfect shade of grey lamb's pride wool.  i had been searching for months for a project to dedicate such a small amount of yarn to, but couldn't find one.  i considered adapting this beautiful sweater to a different gauge and smaller amount of wool, but was really itching to make something fast and easy.  i was shooting for a sweater that was more like a sweatshirt and found the solution to be a patternless, completely seamless top-down raglan.  i wasn't expecting to be so happy with the unplanned results!  incorporating the off-white cascade eco wool helped put a dent in my always too full yarn basket and made this simple sweater just a little more interesting.

five days of straight knitting and a very comfortable sweater to show for it.  and just in time for the weekend!

24 comments:

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  2. Elly, this sweater is so beautiful--I love to see the little gray fibers lifting off of the shoulders. I am beyond impressed that you knit it in five days! I am behind on my blog reading, but belatedly wanted to send my good thoughts to you on the positive news of your recent biopsy. You must be so relieved, and just looking forward to a fresh start. When your health is in question, everything distills down to that one thing. I hope that 2012 brings you every happiness. Keep making gorgeous sweaters and dresses and tops, and carving out a little time for yourself! Your creativity is a great inspiration to me.

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  3. Thats handknit?! And in five days? Wow I am super impressed, it looks so neat I presumed it was on a machine. I really hope one day my skills are that good especially as you say its 'patternless' - I wouldn't know where to begin! All the best.

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  4. Wow, I was totally predicting this would be a machine knit before I started reading, looks SO good! Loving the contrast bottom as well. I also would have no idea where to start on a 'patternless' sweater, haha! If you ever translated any of your sweaters (machine or handknit) into patterns, I would definitely be buying. Hope you're feeling better by now!

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  5. What a lovely sweater Elly, you look beautiful in it! Your knits inspire me in a serious way and I always seem to go find my needles after reading your entries. They are truly lovely. And Downton, I have been looking forward to season 2 all year and eagerly waiting for this Sunday. I've been re-watching some of my other english period drama favorites in the meanwhile while knitting this week. Hope you're feeling better and thanks for visiting me on my blog!

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  6. So lovely! I'm also loving shades of grey in my wardrobe lately. I agree with the commenters above, I thought it was machine knit at first too. Your tension is enviable!

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  7. That is lovely! Where did you get your top down raglan pattern from? Is it from a book or online?

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  8. Love it! You have inspired me! Ann in Indy

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  9. I've loved your blog for a while, but this sweater takes the cake. Such an impressive feat!

    Did you make the beautiful necklaces, too? Do you have a pattern for them?

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  10. what a beautiful pattern! i looove that sweater. i would totally knit that. great job! xo

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  11. wow, elly! i can't believe you didn't use a pattern! i'm so envious of all your hand knitting and machine knitting skills. also, i am loving downton also! though i have seen a few of the second season, i probably need to catch up. i'm not sure which ep is online now.

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  12. This sweater is simple yet full of beautiful little details, and it's wonderful ! Congratulations for such a beautiful project!

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  13. beautiful job! hope you're feeling better! xo

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  14. This sweater looks great! and I can't believe you finished it in 5 days! I've bee nworking on a toddler sized shirt for two weeks now,haha. The white strip at the bottom really does add something special :)
    xo

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  15. Glad you're recovering! That sweater is just perfect. I'm so envious! Love neutrals these days!

    knityorkcity.com

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  16. There are many popular knitwear designers and its tempting to want to knit whatever they are knitting.

    Midwest Scrapbook

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  17. What a good looking sweater - patternless? Wow.

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  18. This is just lovely. Instantly favourited it when I saw it on Ravelry! Get well soon.
    xo

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  19. great line.
    (and yes, the necklace, i see someone else mentioned those...please, how to? ) they are both darling!
    hope you are feeling much much much better.

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  20. Wow Elly! I can't believe how busy you've been despite being ill, you really put me to shame! Such a great jumper, I think a career in knit design is on the cards for you...

    Speaking of period dramas there's been some great Dickens adaptations on the BBC recently so if you manage to find any to watch in the US I'm sure you won't be disappointed! :)

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  21. Really?! New ones?! Like what? Those are Doug's and my faves! Thank you for the compliment Natalie - you're such a great knitter so it means so much!

    Thanks everyone! The one multicolored necklace is Garment House (i can always make more and put them in the shop if anyone is interested), and the other is a Puffin Necklace I made using the instructions found in Interwoven. It's such a beautiful book, I highly recommend getting it.

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  22. I love this sweater, I have had trouble finding sweater patterns that look so nice. It would be great if you were able to write up the pattern. I love knitting and watching Downton as well, I wish there were more episodes!

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