Inspiration
Dana’s Edit: It’s Hot Out But I Want All the Wool
When it gets really hot out, all I want to do is knit wool sweaters.
I should be knee deep in tank tops and knit tees right now, because it will be short sleeve weather for me well into October in the DC region. But I’m already thinking about which wooly sweaters I want to make for holiday photos and for crisp fall days.
Maybe it’s because I’m always a little chilly indoors that I don’t mind knitting with wool right now. It is entirely too humid or too rainy for me to sit and knit outside!
I’ve been knitting with plant-based fibers for the last couple of weeks—but I keep reaching for the wooly projects and WIPs I put away for more reasonable warm-weather knits.
Then I thought, why be reasonable? I can do both! I am an adult and I can do whatever I want to do. So I figured I would share with you what’s on my needles and what I’m itching to cast on.
Hold the Line by Sonder Yarn Company
I enjoy graphic sweaters and love stripes and colorwork, so I knew I would knit the Hold the Line sweater at some point (added bonus, it’s a free pattern).
When my local yarn shop had a trunk show of Periwinkle Sheep yarn, I jumped on her vibrant bouclé in a lovely red. I knew I would make a bold cherry red and graphite gray sweater. I split for sleeves and then tucked it away to work on some summer knits but, honestly, I want to finish it now because the color combo just made me happy.
Tea Party by the Stitchin Witch
And speaking of graphic knits, this checkbox sweater is calling my name. The only problem I have is deciding on what color combination of DK-weight yarn I want to use.
I always suggest mosaic knitting if you’re intimidated by colorwork because you only ever work with one color at a time. It gives you the look and feel of colorwork—without the floats.
This one is knit bottom up— and I might change out the colors of the blocks each row, if I could just decide what my main color is going to be. Decisions, decisions.
The Sheep Sweater by Rosa Pomar
When my friend sent me the link to the Sheep Sweater, I knew I was going to make it. It has steeks for the armholes and I enjoy the thrill of the steek.
I picked up some lovely Jill Draper yarn at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival specifically for this sweater. I want to start this sweater now because it is knit on smaller needles. For my gauge, I have to knit with U.S. size 4 needles. That can be a bit hard on my wrists, so I can only work a little bit at a time. It will be slow going—one of those projects I pick up a couple of times a week, work a few rows and then tuck it away again.
Slow going, yes, but, sometimes, those turn out to be the most beautiful projects.
Even though it’s hot out, my needles are craving wool and I must give in!
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I agree! Wool just calls my name! I have 2 sweaters that I go back and forth with, plus small projects in between! I hadn’t seen the Sheep sweater! Love it!
Oooo! Tea Party calls my name too!
I can SO see an homage to Princess Diana’s “Black Sheep” sweater using the 3rd pattern (I always loved that seweater, not only for it’s graphic boldness, but also most especially for it’s clear and emphatic statement on her status & standing within “the firm”)
Cannot wait to see Jelly Bean in that Tea Party!
<3
Oooo! Tea Party calls my name too!
I can SO see an homage to Princess Diana’s “Black Sheep” sweater using the 3rd pattern (I always loved that seweater, not only for it’s graphic boldness, but also most especially for it’s clear and emphatic statement on her status & standing within “the firm”)
Cannot wait to see Jelly Bean in that Tea Party!
<3
Dana—could you share the name of your LYS? Thank you!
I love your love of color and pattern … drat. Another sweater haunting/calling me … Tea Party. Can’t wait to see your colors!
I always love Dana’s posts….she is just a bright light! And I am always impressed by how much knitting she produces! You go, Dana!
Side conversation but related to your beautiful sweaters, how do you prevent wrist and shoulder injury when you knit so much? I’m having some shoulder pain. Though not certain it’s from knitting, I know it can be caused by the repetitive motion. Can’t imagine not being able to knit!
A great resource for knitters is the book Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting by Carson Demers. He was interviewed on Fruity Knitting a while back. Very informative and helpful for all sorts of physical issues.
Love the Sheep Sweater! I can see doing each round of sheep in a different natural-color fiber, with a true black contrast. Will have to think on that…
I love the sheep sweater! I’m adding it to my queue!
I can’t wait to see your finished Sheep Sweater!
I’m with you on the love of wool! I did one lacy summer top in machine washable and dryable linen, then back to wool. I’m doing the Ribby Swing Dress in sock yarn, but it takes 4,500 yards of yarn. Next, on to wool sweaters!
Just looked up that dress. Wow! I love it. I think it would take me the rest of my life to knit, but I put it in my queue anyway. Maybe one day!
Thanks for talking about how you treat your wrists. I’m finding I have to be careful of knitting time to protect my hands, which is new for me. Simple idea to take a break—who would have thought?
I always prefer knitting with wool vs cotton or linen, so I understand your choices. Also, I find it easier on my hand than cotton. Love Tea Party!
The first sweater was my choice when I laid eyes on it. The colors are very subtle for fall. Great sweater selections!
These sweater patterns are beautiful! I love all three. I will have to commit to which one to choose first. I always look forward to your posts. Thank you Maybe I will run into you at the next MD Sheep and Wool Festival.
Oh THANK YOU for the name of and link to the Sheep Sweater…it popped up then disappeared nearly instantly on IG, and even in that nanosecond knew I wanted to make it! And yes… I think I will not be monogamously knitting that one… I need breaks from “pay a lot of attention” knits for when I am tired but still want to knit. And yeah–I was in and out of DC from 1975 to 1997 and can still recite the daily summer forecast: hot, hazy and humid with a chance of later afternoon and evening thundershowers. I do NOT miss DC in August at all!
Love love love the sheep – but you didn’t mention your feelings about intarsia. Wow! You go, girl!