FO: Rusted Root

Oh, the dreaded Summery Sweater!

Dreaded because it usually means silk or cotton or linen is called for, and my hands will ache the entire time with the dreaded inflexibility of it all.

Alas, I discovered Rowan Calmer before it was unceremoniously discontinued, so I have a nice little stash of it squirreled away. It's cotton and acrylic micofiber blended together, but it's plied tightly and bouncily so the yarn has enough give that it's closer to wool in feel. I picked up the last 4 skeins at the bottom of the bargin bin last summer at Le Bon Marché, an ultra luxe department store in the 6th. I picked this top because it was knit top-down, so if I was tight on yardage, it would just be a little cropped.

I love the cherry-red color and I love the fit. It's a snug raglan tee, but stretchy and comfy, and as long as I don't wear something terribly low-waisted, it will keep my stomach covered.

The puffy little cap sleeves make this.

The pattern is Rusted Root from Zephyr Style. Despite the tight gauge on US 5 needles, I had this done in a week and a half without really even hustling. I used every single last bit of the 700 yards of Calmer.

WIP- Phyllo Yoked Pullover

I just can't seem to help myself- as soon as I have one sweater off the needles, another one gets cast on right away.

I impulsively cast on for the Phyllo Yoked Pullover.



It's from Norah Gaughan's book "Knitting Nature". I bought the book when it first came out a few years ago, but let it sit on the shelf until I felt confident enough to tackle a project. Her patterns tend to have unusual construction elements or some sort of crazy cable or lace pattern that looks harder than it actually is.



This pattern is fairly simple- you knit the body and sleeves in plain stockinette, attach everything on one circular needle, and then start the yoke pattern. There are decreases worked into the pattern so the spiraling diamonds get progressively smaller as you work your way up to the neck.



It is also very addicting...I haven't put this thing down since I started it a couple weeks ago.

Since it's the season that requires me to try non-wool yarns, I decided to give Rowan Calmer a shot. It's a cotton/microfiber blend. I'm really quite pleased with it...cotton usually hurts my hands because I find it tough and inflexible, but the microfiber really does wonders to make this soft and almost silky.



Meanwhile the Escargot mitts are languishing away at the bottom of my knitting bag. I need a sunny afternoon to sit in the park and finish those already.