Sorry for the lousy photos, it's been overcast and raining every morning this week.
So what do you think? I'm having a tough time deciding, and sure could use some advice from you guys!
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Scottish Yarn
My parents recently took a trip to Scotland, and very sweetly made an effort to go to New Lanark (about an hour outside of Edinburgh), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring an 18th century mill, which still produces wool and textiles. They very thoughtfully brough tme back a sweater's worth of yarn:
I love the colour! It's beautiful donegal tweed yarn, 90% wool and 10% silk, and I'm really looking forward to knitting up a gorgeous winter sweater to cuddle up in. Now, there are three things that are looming large in my mind to potentially make with all this gorgeous, gorgeous yarn:
Now technically, Peterborough (the first one) and Nidden (the second one) call for worsted weight, and this yarn is DK (which Nespelem calls for). The trouble with Nespelem is that I find myself leaning more towards Peterborough or Nidden, because I like the long look and the drapey style. And when I look at the other FOs, peopel have been using DK weight for both of those other sweaters as well, with lovely results; and they all call for 4mm or 3.75 mm needles, respectively. Which means I feel pretty confident about subbing in some DK and just have a slightly lighter weight cardigan if I decide to go for Nidden or Peterborough.
So what do you think? I'm having a tough time deciding, and sure could use some advice from you guys!
So what do you think? I'm having a tough time deciding, and sure could use some advice from you guys!
awesome fall color! All three are pretty patterns, but I think the first will look best with tweedy yarn. The third needs a smooth saturated color.
ReplyDeleteI really like Peterborough. It looks so comfy & cozy, and yet very pretty at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYou know what the colors remind me of? The original EZ sweater featured in Twist Collective last year! Beautiful color.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for the first one! I can't resist the cable detail on the front.
ReplyDeleteThat yarn is very beautiful! How kind of your parents :)
ReplyDeleteI love all three of those designs (what a fabulous booklet they came from), but I'm kind of drawn to the second one. And it seems more your style than Peterborough.
Oh gosh -- hard decision! I like the first two best also (love Norah Gaughan's designs). I think I'd choose Nidden (love the lacy pattern down the front) but don't think you could go wrong with either. Whatever you make will be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI wish I'd been a knitter when I was in Scotland several years ago. What fun it would have been to visit all the lovely wooly shops there! Must go back, I think ;).
Blessings,
G
I can so see you in Peterborough. That is just your style. You're so tiny It shouldn't be a problem to switch gauges - you might be able to just knit a lager size (after knitting a gauge swatch, of course!).
ReplyDeleteYour parents are wonderful to bring you back such a perfect gift. (Does your mom need a sister to buy yarn for - I'm available!)
ooh, just added peterborough to my queue!
ReplyDeletePeterborough! It just seems to "click" with both your style and the yarn. Definitely worth the gauge swatch effort! :-)
ReplyDeletePeterborough! Love the colour, how thoughtful of your parents!
ReplyDeleteoh the first one for sure!
ReplyDeletelovely yarn! lucky you! i like the longer options better, also. and of the two of them, nidden's underarm fit seems a little off to me. thus: my vote is for peterborough.
ReplyDeleteMan, they are all fabulous sweaters, and that yarn is drool-worthy! I love the color. Hmm, I would pick the first or second, I think. I agree with foxflat that the third would be best in a more solid color.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous yarn! This shade will be perfect on you.
ReplyDeleteI also tend to think Peterborough would be the best match for this tweedy yarn.
well I have all three of these in my queue as well but I'm thinking maybe Peterborough would be best suited to the yarn.
ReplyDeleteDid you mum happen to get a sweaters worth for herself??
My vote is for the first one. I love it. So very sweet of your parents to get you this beautiful yarn. My mom always feels weird buying yarn for me, but I adore it when she does.
ReplyDeleteI like Nidden - the yarn is gorgeous and the cable on the sleeves will really pop.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Peterborough. Lucky girl. The yarn looks gorgeous! :D
ReplyDeleteMy vote is for Peterborough, I love Norah Gaughan, what beautiful choices!
ReplyDeleteI'd vote for Nespelem, on the grounds that you seem to have several long cardigans already. It's a chance to stretch your wardrobe and try a different silhouette.
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE the first one...Peterborough! I would swatch for it with the dk and see how it goes. Good thing is, you already have the yarn...so you don't have to go out and buy yarn and then find out it's not going to work.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of Nidden. I think it would look awesome. :D
ReplyDeleteMy immediate thought was for your first choice, Peterborough. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely love the first one! you're so talented I'm sure you can figure out the weight difference:) Knit something you know you'll wear all the time!! :)
ReplyDeleteI like Nidden best -- I like the drape and perhaps I think though it could be belted like the others, it has the nicest flow to it.
ReplyDeleteI love Nespelem. Such a beautiful design and it really showcases the beautiful blouse underneath...Perfect!
ReplyDeleteI like the first tow , and would lean toward Peterborough.
ReplyDeleteI vote for the third one because you were complaining how your wardrobe needs a pick me up, and it is so unlike anything in the rest of your wardrobe, that it would be more of a statement piece.
ReplyDeleteThe first two patterns are lovely. But I think Nidden would work better with your yarn. Peterborough has fitted arms. I think the silk in your yarn would lend itself better to the drape needed in Nidden.
ReplyDeleteI personally like Peterborough the best. I think it will look beutiful in your yarn. Nidden is lovely, but I find the construction broadens the shoulders a lot, especially in the back. Nespelem feels very summery to me and maybe different yarn would be a better choice for it. I love the color details on Nespelem, but do not like the fact that the front halves do not meet in the center.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice of colour!! I love the hidden cardigan, I don't really like the last one... Good luck deciding!
ReplyDeleteI think the best choice for your new yarn is Peterborough. It's more fitted than the second one and looks more sturdy. The second one is too loose for tweed in my opinion. I can't see Nespelem with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so curious of your choice!
Hugs!
I vote for Peterboroug. It's such a cozy cardigan which will fit very well with the the tweedy yarn
ReplyDeleteAll good choices- you can't go wrong.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Peterborough. It would look fantastic with the yarn.
ReplyDeleteI love the way that Nidden is styled, but looking at Peterborough, I like the sleeves much more. My vote is Peterborough!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous color and what kind, thoughtful parents you have! I'll put in my two cents by saying that Petersborough will do justice to your new yarn. Be sure to post a pic of the finished product :)
ReplyDeleteThe first (and only) rule of knitting is to love what you are knitting. So, if you love the first 2, knit one of those. If others have done it, you know it will work. Love the look of the yarn and the color is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh, I wonder how helpful we'll all be?? I vote for the Peterborough as I, like you, love the long cardigan look. And I can see you wearing this with a great belt. Your parents are the sweetest!
ReplyDeleteOoh, pretty pretty yarn! Your parents made a great choice. Now the hard part: choosing a pattern.
ReplyDeleteI'm drawn to the first and third options, but I like your point about the shaping of Peterborough vs. Nespelem, so I would lean that way (Peterborough). Either way I'm sure it will be lovely. :)
The Nidden is a great sweater, I made it this summer and it's a beautiful lace pattern. I vote for it!
ReplyDeleteThose are all great choices. I have made and love Nespelem, but I think Peterborough would be great in this yarn. What a thoughtful gift that was!
ReplyDeleteI really like your number 1 and 3 choice. The number 2 choice had dropped shoulders that do not fit me very well. I'm eager to see which one you will decide to do.
ReplyDeleteI'm biased toward Nespelem because that one's in my queue at the moment. I haven't looked closely at the pattern, but maybe you could just make it a bit longer than the pattern calls for to get that slouchy look?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Color! I wish my mom would buy me yarn, but even after I've been knitting like crazy for a couple of years, she still believes it's a temporary thing...infuriating! But I digress. The color is beautiful, and I think the perfect color for you as well. I really like the first one, it'll look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful yarn! First one looks the best to me because of the color variations in the yarn. And since you model for Alana sometimes, I'm sure you've seen the Rocky Coast Cardigan by Hannah Fettig. I was planning on making that but now I really like the Petersberg. Decisions, decisions....
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely yarn! They really know how to do tweed, and I love supporting the old mills. I liked the top photo best (is it Peterborough?). That's a design I don't think I've seen before. We'll wait and see!
ReplyDeleteWell, seems like most everyone likes Peterborough - but I really like Nidden - seems a bit more dressy and carries the pattern more. Did not like the 3rd one - only because it is shorter than the first two. But gosh - how lucky you are to get yarn from Scotland!!! My father's ancestors came from Scotland and I just may have to order some of that yarn. I liked the Wisteria in DK.
ReplyDeleteJoan - the Knitting Queen!!
I am putting my vote in for Peterborough. I think you'll like the length more in the coming months, it's nice to have extra ass coverage when it's chilly! ha.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous yarn! Nice parents of yours!
Oh I would definitely make the Peterbourgh one and not worry that it's DK weight... should be fine.
ReplyDeleteOh that yarn is beautiful... such a soft colour - perfect for a cozy sweater. I'm thinking Peterborough!
ReplyDeleteLove the yarn! I vote for the middle one as my first choice, the top as my second...but I admit that of Norah Gaughan's designs, and I love many of them, Nespelem doesn't move me that much.
ReplyDeleteI've been to New Lanark and it is FAB! How great your parents got a chance to go and purchase some yarn for you! I've used New Larnark twice (here and here. I can't wait to see what you make with it!
ReplyDeleteI just L.O.v.E number 2!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I LO.Ve your blog as well! :)
Claudia, from Brazil
What about staying with the scottish/irish thing and looking at something by kate davies, ysolda teague or carol feller? I'm pretty sure Carol actually designed something recently based on that particular yarn...
ReplyDeleteThe yarn looks just lovely! Lucky you!!!
ReplyDeleteI think the Nidden would be my choice--I think the dk wt would adjust to the lace pattern maybe slightly better than the ones that are knit more densely.
Personally I like Peterborough. I love the stitch that makes up the band!
ReplyDeleteI pick the 3rd one for the neckline treatment alone. Love it! Also the proportions I like better. For me the longer ones don't seem to transition as well beyond casual. The 3rd one stands out for me to look the most flattering on you. Your parents are too sweet!
ReplyDeleteI love the 2nd! Not sure if I am in the majority of your commenters haha I think the shape of it is so simple that you can get away with using the lighter yarn! but I don't think you can go wrong with any!
ReplyDelete