I felt really excited about sewing during Me-Made-May but somehow my sewjo has really collapsed in the past fortnight. I think it’s down to a combination of having difficulty finding the right fabric for the projects I want to work on and feeling a tad overwhelmed by all the sewing events I want to take part in, but don’t have time to.
BUT I am happily back into knitting! After some hiccups on that front, I’ve regained knitting confidence through the Owls sweater knit-along organised by Kat of A Krafty Kat and Sabs of Tybalt: King of Cats. I’ve had the Kate Davies pattern on standby for, literally, years but never tried it. Knitting is so much more of a commitment for me than sewing (and it’s much harder to modify the fit as you work) so I think I’ve been unnecessarily cautious about picking knitting patterns to try.
The knitalong was perfect for building knitting confidence: Sabs and Kat were great for giving advice throughout the project and the pattern is quite easy to follow. The only real difficulties I encountered were in trying to use the magic loop method to sew the sleeves in the round. I gave it a shot because I couldn’t find the right sized DPNs, but once I got my hands on them, knitting the sleeves was a dream. (I also knit quite tightly and had to cast off three times (!) before the neck opening was wide enough to squeeze my head through.)
I used Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky in Ruby (bought from This Is Knit in Dublin) and love the colour and softness of this merino wool. It makes for a really cosy – albeit seasonally inappropriate – sweater! I also decided, like fellow knitalonger Charlotte, not to sew on the button eyes as I prefer these little guys without them.
Buoyed by the success of this, my first finished knitted garment, I’ve already launched into a new project: the Panelled Effect Lady’s Jumper from Jane Waller and Susan Crawford’s book, A Stitch in Time. The pattern requires a bit of concentration but is not so complicated that a novice knitter can’t manage it. I’m using another Debbie Bliss yarn – a 4-ply in a steel grey colour.
Lady Stitcher 
Everything you’ve said about the knitting process remains a complete mystery to me, but I like your jumper a lot. Welcome to the owl club!
Ha, knitting code, eh? 🙂 Thanks!
Ohhh lovely! I’ve never tried cables – that should be next on my to-tackle list. I’m making an Andi Sutterland cardigan at the moment, but have just noticed that I’ve messed up a couple of rows down so it’s in my bad books at the moment!
I hate that feeling – part of you wants to go back and make it perfect, but part of you is totally fine with it! Andi Sutterland’s designs are lovely.
Owls is a great introduction to cables. The panelled jumper though has ‘fake’ cables – it’s actually clever increases and decreases that form the pattern.
Love this! And love the owls 🙂 I have yet to commit myself to an entire knit sweater… I’ve have a few works in progress, but that’s about it. Beautiful job!
Thank you! 🙂
The owls are adorable! I love cable and I love owls…if only I could knit! It looks amazing and a lovely colour.
Thanks! 🙂 I think I’m drawn more to bright colours in the darker months of the year than during the summer, they really cheer me up on rainy days!
Looks brilliant! I love the colour. It’s been great knitting along with you – I’ve finally finished mine too, yay! Good luck with your Lady Jumper (apt name for you!) I’m looking forward to seeing it…
Thanks Sabs! I just read your latest blog post – congratulations!! 🙂
Your owl jumper is gorgeous… And I love the grey yarn you’re using for your new one, 4ply takes a bit of patience though, which I don’t always have! ! I’m knitting up a cardi at the mo( the Myrna from Andi Satterlund ) it’s an aran weight so it’s coming together quickly thankfully 🙂
Yes, that’s the really great thing about heavier yarn! Myrna is such a lovely pattern, looking forward to seeing the finished cardi. 🙂
This is loooovely. And the fits great!! I totally hear what your saying about being overwhelmed by all the projects you want to take part in. My head is spinning right now. I think i need time out!! Although I’m not a knitter so would probably end up baking or something!!
Ooh, baking (and the eating of the baking!) is definitely a good time out activity.
Looks amazing! Your ribbing & owls are so neat. I love the colour. I’m looking forward to seeing your finished Lady’s Jumper – it’s looking great so far.
Thanks Charlotte! You know, my husband really wanted me to sew googly eyes onto the Owls when I told him I was foregoing the buttons. That would have been a, em, interesting effect…
Great jumper and lovely colour! Owls was my first full, wearable, garment I knitted, years ago now, but it spurred me on to knit many more garments. I love the way Kate Davies writes her patterns very straight forward and clear. Not at all daunting like some can can be! I’ll look forward to seeing more of your finished garments!
I’d love to try more of her patterns now after seeing this one through. She has so many lovely designs!
Absolutely divine!!
Thanks Elizabeth! 🙂
This looks amazing!! Very well done! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
There’s definitely a fatigue wafting over the sewing world at the moment, I keep reading similar things on other blogs and just wrote a very similar post on my own! So I’ve done the same as you and picked up my knitting needles again. I love this pattern so much! Your jumper is lovely and the colour is gorgeous x
There’s something really soothing about working on a longer term project. I think this is a good time to just take a bit of a sewing break and rejuvenate creatively though knitting!
This is beautiful!!! I’ve tried to knit so many times but I just get tired of it so quickly.. the short sleeved sweater I started back in Feb is still going and we’re well into winter now!
Well, there’s no better time for knitting than winter! You can always layer it when you’re done 🙂
Gorgeous sweater, and your next project looks great – looking forward to seeing it when it’s done! 🙂
You did a fantastic job on the sweater. I’d never have guessed it was a first project.
MMMay didn’t tire me out on sewing, but I’ll admit I have enjoyed wearing my RTW again. Still about a thousand projects on the go at home and nowhere near enough time to finish them all. Sigh.
Yes, it’s a bit of a relief not to have to concentrate so much on deciding what to wear! Ah, there are always more plans than hours in the day…
So beautiful! I love knitting and could knit all day but make myself sew too (it’s scarier than knitting haha). Beautiful colour and so flattering too. Well done!
I definitely find knitting more intimidating but agree totally that it would be very nice to knit all day long! It’s so relaxing!
Beautiful sweater! The fit is perfect on you. I’ve always been to scared to knit a jumper because of worrying about the fit too and it takes so long. Looks so good!
I’m exactly the same. I aimed to knit a size bigger than my measurements because I tend to knit too tightly and the fit really worked out well.
Gorgeous! Love the details on it.
Thanks Ingrid! It’s a great pattern.
Wow that is super amazing! Such a lovely colour on you and it looks gorgeous and snuggly on you – it seems to me that it will be perfect for an Irish / UK summer…. this warm spell is just a temporary state!
I am all set for the Margot PJ’s with fabric purchased in sale and paper pattern cut out. Just need to find a window of time for sewing them together ; )
Great! I’ve made a test gingham pair but really want to make a nice soft cotton pair. Then I’m all set for outside trousers! 🙂
Seasonally inappropriate or not this is a fantastic Jumper. I am so in awe and crazy jealous. My Mum has been trying to teach me to knit and I just can’t get it. Extra stitches just appear and then it gets so tight I can’t get it off the needle! One day maybe. But your make is brilliant.
Ooooh, I love it! I know how to knit but I have never attempted to do anything THIS major! Great job! 🙂
Oh wow I’m very impressed, this is so cute! And you’ve a fab figure by the way!
Hi Sue, I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award (although I wasn’t really sure if you may already have a nomination). I love reading about your makes and love your style!
Read my reasons for nominating you on my blog: http://carolinejoynson.blogspot.co.uk/
I love that owl jumper! What a great job!
Thank you! 🙂 Just thinking today I should stock up on some more wool and plan another one for winter…
Wow you’re a whiz!!! This sweater is beautiful! I love that pattern. Maybe someday I’ll work up the nerve to knit it. …or any sweater for that matter lol
Thanks Rochelle! 🙂 Ah you’ll be knitting sweaters in no time! Your hats are fab – that’s one thing I really need to figure out how to do before winter sets in.