Friday 14 August 2009

FO: Reading Hoodie

This took longer than I thought it would to knit, but I love, love, LOVE the final result! It's perfect for many things, including a frolic with a cute pony. I'm wearing a long sleeved shirt underneath this, and I'm absolutely roasting!! Don't let the lace fool you, this is a toasty sweater indeed. (apparently I'm just showing off my underarm seaming skills, while putting my hair back) Pattern: Apres Surf Hoodie Yarn: Knit Picks Bare - Merino Wool/Silk Fingering Weight Needles: 3.25 mm circs Mods: Adjusted pattern for knitting in the round, instead of knitting the front and back separately. Notes: I spent a lot of time reading while knitting this, so I thought Reading Hoodie was a good name for it. I love the pattern, I love the final result. The experience of knitting it was a lot like knitting Thermal- it took a lot longer than I wanted it to, but the results were perfect. I will say that I regret knitting it in the round- I found that doing increases and decreases while keeping in the lace pattern really challenging (although I will consider that it may be due to all the reading while knitting...). When it came time to do the sleeves, I knit them flat and seamed them. Much faster; but then I've never felt put off by seaming. I never wear hoodies with the hood up, but here's the hood up back view. I found these photos on my camera, and thought I'd share. Here's one of my cats, Yarn, contemplating the hoodie in progress: "Hmmm, how hard is this whole knitting thing, anyway.... I'm sure I could do it!" "a long sleeved lace hoodie on 3.25 mm needles?! You must be nuts!" Erm, yup. But being nuts leads to lovely white lace hoodies!!! Now excuse me, I'm going to frolic with more ponies.

36 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks perfect! Definitely worth 2 months of work. How do you keep a book open while knitting? I'd love to be able to do that. And your vacation spot looks lovely too. I wish I had ponies at my cottage!

Anonymous said...

wow that sweater is gorgeous!!! I love this look on you and the fresh color. Perfection!

Susan said...

What a great photo-shoot for your wonderful FO! Absolutely gorgeous. It looks perfect!

Sarah said...

It is so pretty and your cat is adorable. I like how it's tongue is showing a little bit. Great job on the hoodie.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely lovely result!

Erin said...

I can't believe you just happened to have a pony around for you photo shoot. That is awesome. The hoodie is gorgeous--the best FO of this sweater I have seen.

Pam said...

Gorgeous sweater -- and nice pictures. Congratulations.

Do you think this will be a fall/winter sweater?

Teresa said...

How amazingly beautiful is this project?! Wow, I love it.
I must also admit to being jealous of the pony frolicking. Looks like fun (and I truly admire the seaming skills!)

lekkercraft said...

Soooo pretty, Julie! I love your photo shoot, and those perfect seams :) i sure wish I could do those...

Clumsy Knitter said...

It looks perfect! Absolutely worth the effort. :)

Kim said...

Very nice! And the pony and kitty photos are adorable.

Reckless Glue said...

the hoodie and you: both gorgeous! and an adorable kitty named Yarn? This post has everything haha

Salihan said...

Gorgeous! Your patience paid off and I'm sure you'll keep wearing it for years to come. And your cat (clever name btw) is far too cute! :) -me@salihan.com

Anonymous said...

BEAUTIFUL! Maybe someday I'll brave tiny needle sweater knitting... or maybe not. Your cat is the cutest.

mjm knitting said...

The reading hoodie is stunning, and I love that one of your cats is named Yarn.

CassieMarie said...

It looks really lovely! so worth the time. :) I think it would look really cute with a skirt as well!

Jess said...

so cute! the pictures are just beauuuutiful :)

Michele Saunders said...

Wow! This is beautiful. You did a wonderful job and it looks great on you. Perfect.

Connie said...

Great FO shots! The pony is adorable. Yeah, lace is warmer than it looks :) I guess that's why lace shawls are so effective at keeping you warm even though they look so slight

jennifer said...

I know many have already said so, but it looks perfect!!! Well done, Julie!

Jackie said...

Goodness I want one now in like a bright red or cinnamon color.

Maryse said...

Wow! This hoodie is beautiful! Nice pictures! Very much worth all the work!

Patchie said...

LOVE this! Might make me venture into large projects on smaller needles...

yoel said...

Oh my stars, how lovely! It fits you like a dream. I had sort of filed away this pattern for a while, but I suppose it's now time to actually knit it now that I've realized it'd so pretty!

Sweet Yarn! She (he?) would so knit, except for the opposable thumbs problem ;)

Anonymous said...

That looks lovely on you. Perfect colour, perfect fit. Perfect pictures, too! :) Very crisp and colourful.

Cute pony and kitty, too. ;)

Hilary said...

Julie, it's amazing!! The fit is spot on, the color just lovely, and the knitting perfect! It looks completely professional. And I love the photos! That pony is just adorable. :)

weezalana said...

Wow, that is GORGEOUS! I've been eyeing that pattern, but haven't warmed up to the idea of knitting an entire sweater in fingering weight yarn and needles. But now...hmmm...

Ella said...

It's beautiful! I love it!

Kristin said...

Oh I LOVE this sweater. Great Job, I wouldn't have the courage to make it.

Rima said...

It is a beauty! I cant imagine making something like that. You did a splendid job.

Jennifer said...

*Beautiful* sweater, adorable ponies and cute kitties, gah and I'm going to fall over from the awesomeness!

Jill said...

That is awesome, it looks like it was worth all the work. I love this pattern and have been contemplating making it for a while now. You may have just convinced me!

melusine_tricote said...

Wow !! This hoodie is very gorgeous !!! And the cat is beautiful ;-)

Hania said...

This is absolutely gorgeous!

pickles said...

wow! Amazing!

Anonymous said...

Luverly! It was worth it the slog.
And how not suprising that your cat is called Yarn!