Wednesday 24 February 2010

FO: Ravelympics Sweater!!


 Pattern: Twiggy Tunic

Needles: 10 mm circulars

Yarn: Mirasol Sulka

Mods: None.


Notes: I finished my Ravelympics sweater!!!!

At the beginning, I had a really difficult time understanding the pattern- I had it in my head that, because the sleeves are knitted first, that it was a top down construction (it's not). Silliness, I know. Once I figured that part out, it was smooth sailing. I love, love, LOVE Sulka yarn, it's so deliciously soft and cuddly. And all those FO photos of being outside in the snow? I'm actually not that cold. That's a toasty sweater, people!
 G took some WIP shots of the sleeves and yarn cakes out of doors:
And if you haven't already seen it, you must check out Eliza's tutorial on how to wind a perfect yarn cake with nothing more than a toilet paper roll. I actually prefer this method to using a ball winder- it produces a larger centre pull area, which I find allows for smoother pull without any tangles. it's how I wind my yarn all the time now.

 And for those of you who have been reading this blog for a while, you've probably figured out that I'm at the cottage for these photos. G and I took a couple days off work to create our own long weekend, where we visited his parents at the cottage. I'm going to say something a little crazy here.... I prefer winter cottaging to summer cottaging.  There is a different kind of tone to winter cottaging. I love the peacefulness of it, the slowed-down moments of discovering deer tracks through the snow across the yard, or the fragrance and warmth of a crackling woodstove. And oh, the light- I am in love with watching the day's progression over the snow, the way it sparkles in the sunshine, the long blue shadows at dusk.

Plus, snowshoeing!!! My favourite. below, a few photos, including the bird seed cakes we made to hang off the trees for the winter birds:

That's not the cottage in the background- it's a barn.

43 comments:

Allison said...

Great work! It's such a wonderful color. Looks like your weekend was a ton of fun, too :)

The Sweatshop of Love said...

So pretty! That color is stunning and you are in the perfect spot for taking pictures of it! I love the neckline.

Unknown said...

I'm totally with you on the winter cottage weekend. I love my family cottage on the beach in the summer, but being there in the winter is a completely different experience, it's quiet and peaceful and cozy. Love the sweater too!

jillian said...

It's gorgeous! Lovely photos too.

Anonymous said...

absolutely gorgeous sweater! it makes me rethink my decision not to make twiggy.... the winter cottage looks amazing.

Hilary said...

Congratulations on crossing the finish line! It is a fabulous sweater and it looks great on you! I completely agree about the winter cottage thing. My family has a cabin in the mountains and we visit in all seasons. But I definitely love it in the winter the best.

Crystal said...

Lovely job! It's a great colour for you as well. Very autumny, so I am sure you will get lots of use out of it in the fall as well! How do you find the sleeve length? I always pull on sleeves, so I think a short length might bother me.

veera said...

Beautiful! The sweater, the color, and the weekend: everything.

Teresa said...

That looks like so much fun. Unfortunately I've never been out to a cottage in the winter, I'm certain I'd love it so much more than summer cottagetimes.
The sweater is lovely, and that yarn = fantastic. congrats on completion early!!

Unknown said...

Love. this. sweater!!! love it! My ravelympics (baby) sweater has yet to be blocked and seamed... maybe I should do that...

Frk.Badegakk said...

That´s a lovely sweater! Looks great on you!

Clumsy Knitter said...

Beautiful! I love the pattern and the color--it looks great on you! I agree with you that there is something quiet and relaxing and peaceful about a long cottage weekend surrounded by snow. :)

Anonymous said...

So beautiful! What a great sweater!

Ibunnysavetroy said...

hm. jealous! I haven't even finished my socks yet! so pretty!

Anonymous said...

the sweater looks awesome! and thanks for the link about ball-winding... I predict waaay less frustration next time I try winding without a swift.

leanna x

Jill said...

Fantastic! I love the color.

I'm with you about winter cottaging. Its so peaceful and slow in the winter.

Kat said...

Gorgeous tunic! I wish I had the time to join the ravelympics but with moving house and starting a new job I just haven't had the time.

Anonymous said...

WOW! I don't think I've ever seen bulky yarn look so graceful. Really lovely :)

I agree - winter is incomplete without at least a little cottaging.

Sarah said...

Wow, you did it! And it looks great. I love your cottage pictures too.

Maryse said...

Congratulations for this gorgeous sweater! It's lovely! Great pictures!

Stephanie said...

wow! what a beautiful sweater in such a short time! So very impressive.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos! And gorgeous FO! Love the simple lines and elegant neckline!

Beautia said...

Your sweater looks fantastic, and I love the color!

Skein said...

Love it! Great photo but gosh does it look cold brrrr

Aesderina said...

LOL I love your last comment.. it made me laugh very hard. I think it looks more like the winter olympics there than in Vancouver!! I absolutely love that colour!! Thanks for the link for the ball winding!! I bought a ballwinder from Knitpicks and it doesn't work very well

setinink said...

oh that color is fantastic. and i love the photos of you in the snow! :)

Monique said...

Beautiful work as usual. Looks great and the photos are fun. Love them! I know what you mean about winter at the cottage versus summer. There is a quiet coziness that winter brings.

Angela said...

Love the sweater!!

kingshearte said...

That sweater is beautiful! Great job.

Michele Saunders said...

Congratulations on finishing your sweater! It is beautiful! I love the color and it looks great on you.

Those madelines look delish! I will take on with a cup of tea please. ;-)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful sweater on you! I just recently came across your blog and I am in awe of the beautiful knitting you do!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful sweater. Love the fit! Your husband is quite the photographer as well.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Lovely fit and excellent color choice. You make winter look fun in these photos, despite my hatred of all things cold!

knittyornice said...

omg i just saw the pics on flickr and just about died!!! soooo pretty! what a beautiful color too... so awesome.

tss said...

Gorgeous sweater!! The fit of your sweaters is always perfect on you. Do you think you would ever consider doing a short tutorial on waist shapping/negative ease? Just a thought! Lovely work as always!!

Sandy said...

The sweater is beautiful!! It sounds like you had a very nice time at the cottage too :)

Salihan said...

Oh wowwy! That's one stunning sweater and an equally stunning lady. Congratulations Julie! Hope you win a gold medal for this. And as usual, your knitting has blown me away. :) me@salihan.com

Kara said...

Stunning! Another amazing sweater. You look gorgeous.

And winter cottage-ing sounds divine.

Knit - R - Done said...

I am so homesick for snow now! Beautiful sweater. You made bulky yarn look really slender.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! You look absolutely stunning in it.

kaetrn said...

i am with you- i love winter and also early spring cottaging! we spent many many summers on nantucket growing up, and i loved it. but the year we went in early march was the most memorable...chilly walks and bike rides, followed by afternoons and evenings by the fire. heaven!

claire said...

I'm french and I've just discovered your blog... So many wonderful things! This one is so beautiful! Love it!
See you soon!

Christine said...

What a perfect sweater, congrats on the womderful finish.