Arctic Pool V Neck Pullover Sweater

photo by tenukihandcrafts

I purchased Wool of the Andes 100% Peruvian Highland Wool in Arctic Pool Heather from Knit Picks, with the plan of a couple extra balls, just in case. This time, I went to Ann Budd's “The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns.” I chose a drop shoulder sweater and, once I got my gauge, select a size that would give me a slightly oversized sweater. At first, I was going to make a roll turtleneck, but as I worked the back, I realized I don't care for turtlenecks and chose a v neck.

My gauge was 4.25 stitches per inch on 6/5 needles (6 for knit/5 for purl). Next I chose my size and started working on the back. I made a garter stitch lower edge so the hem would not pull in. I was in too much of a hurry to explore alternative non-ribbing hems.

As I was knitting the back of the sweater, I was trying to figure out how to knit the front and back in one piece, then pick up stitches for the sleeves. Then the current issue of Cast On arrived, with an article about steeks, which, as far as I can tell, is the invention of some witty circular obsessed knitter who just didn't want to sew a seam. I can't quite cut through knitting yet. More on this once I work up the nerve to make a sample steek.

The other thought I had while knitting the back was how to work the front and back in one piece. I paused my knitting to look at the stockinette stitch. It looks the same right side up and upside down. Curious. I'll explore this later as well.
I considered continuing through the front with two yarns and increasing to form the v-neck, then continuing on down the front with one of the yarns. I wasn't feeling too confident about this idea, so I decided to work the back and front separately. I didn't want try it full size. I'll frog if I have to, but I'm not going to entice the frogs. Then, another idea hit: sew the shoulder seams then pick up and knit the sleeve right onto the body of the sweater.

photo by tenukihandcrafts

It's a drop sleeve sweater, so picking up stitches is not a problem. When I looked at the number of stitches cast off at the end of the sleeve (because Ms. Budd's directions are for knitting flat) and counted the seam stitches. I needed additional stitches because I slipped the first stitch of each row for seaming. I placed scrap yarn at the front and back to mark the sleeves. The additional stitches were picked up from the row below. It worked out nicely.

Once I got a few inches of sleeve made, I compared the sewn shoulder seam to the picked up stitches for the sleeve. The picked up stitches are so much nicer and the 'seam' is flatter than the sewn shoulder seams.

I used k1 p1 ribbing for the neck and sleeves. At the neck, I double decreased at the center. I've never understood the knitting directions that tell you to sew one shoulder seam then pick up and knit the neckline. As with most knitting, I prefer to knit in the round.

The finished sweater is very soft and comfy. I did not make enough garter stitch rows, so the fabric does curl, but I'm considering adding a crochet edge. I have a lot of left over yarn from this project. These minor issues in no way detract from my enjoyment of this sweater. The skirt is in progress. I had to buy a new sewing machine and am still learning it. More on that in another post.

photo by tenukihandcrafts

This was my first project on the Knit Picks Options, which my adorable spouse gifted me at the holidays. KP Options is a kit of interchangeable circular needles in the most common needle sizes (4-11), with cables, keys to lock the needles to the cable, and a lovely zip binder. I love them! The metal is very smooth. To date, I've knit only wool on them, but the stitches feed smoothly. This system allows me to use one size needle for knits and a different size for the purls.

Next up: Grey Wolf socks on Two Circular Needles