Now we’ve moved into Summer, I thought it was time to crack on with a piece that would be wonderful not only to wear, but to knit. It’s too easy when the sun comes out to drop the knitting habit as wool and warm weather are not always happy bedfellows.
So, as I was browsing through a pattern book, along came Eldest Daughter, who looked over my shoulder and declared “I LOVE that one!” I frowned. She added “I really do LOVE that one”......
Well, I loved it too - it deep cut away V back would make what was a very simple knit into an interesting one. However, Eldest Daughter couldn’t make a decision on the colour yarn she wanted (Rowan Hand Knit Cotton). So I worked out that Cotton Cashmere would also work fabulously for the gauge stipulated (see our last blog post on yarn subbing). And there was a green there that she fell in love with.
So, here I am, knitting the first Summer garment of 2020 - and it’s not for me. But, I’ve fallen in love with this yarn. It’s light, it feels gorgeous. The yarn mix means that it has a ‘give’ to it when knitting, which 100% cotton often doesn’t. So I’m looking ahead to another project I can use it in, and this time it will be for me.
The pattern is in this year’s Mode Collection from Rowan. One of our customers has already bought the Cotton Cashmere needed to make another pattern from the same book, as she too quickly realised the yarn is a perfect Summer knitting weight. There are over 20 gorgeous colours in the range. Some so full of Summer prettiness it’s really hard to choose just one. Others will take you nicely from Summer into Autumn.
As well as ‘subbing’ the yarn, I also made a slight adaptation to the pattern. One that I do regularly. I am really not at all fond of sewing up a knitted project. I’m not very good at it (I have very little patience) and it often takes me the better part of a day to do. So, wherever possible I will pop at pattern into the round.... it really is as easy as it sounds. For this garment that means that everything from the ribbing to the bottom of the V on the back, is in one piece. Because I’ve got the knitting on circulars, I’ve been able to do without stitch holders. Once I had to divide, I simple left the front of the top on the circulars, and just worked back and forth on the back. In addition to less sewing up at the end, it also means my stripes are perfectly in line. And believe me that’s a bonus, as I ridiculously counted my rows incorrectly from the start. But although my stripes are just a tiny bit wider than specified on the pattern, at least they’re the same front and back, because everything started in the round!
It just goes to show - be brave - change a pattern if it will work for you; whether that’s changing the yarn type, the pattern format or even the design on the knitting itself.
If you’d like to get started on a new project using Cotton Cashmere from Rowan, use the code COTCASH to take 15% off at the checkout (until the 30th June).
We’d love to know if you’re knitting anything from the Summer 2020 Mode collection, and what you decided to knit it in. Now, I’m off to choose more colours…..
Boo