Friday, November 4, 2016

Harvest a finish..............


My Harvest sweater is finally finished.  For such a simple knit it sure took me long enough.  I started this back in July and finished it on October 30.  Maybe it would not have taken me so long if I didn't make it so big.  I think loads of people have made it with negative ease, tight so it is form fitting.  I wanted mine big, big and extra long.  Sort of like wearing your Dad's sweater, or maybe your boyfriends, not that I have one of those.


I made some adaptations to this sweater not all of which were intentional.   The thing is when you are using a pattern, especially a very well written one you should actually follow it.  Maybe visiting my girlfriend in North Carolina and chatting and adding stitches was not the best combination.  I kept adding and chatting and well there we have it an extra big sweater is the result.


I also made rolled sleeves instead of a garter stitch bottom to the sleeve.  I am not fond of garter stitch unless the whole sweater is in that form, I just don't like the extra bulk.  Rolled sleeves have to be made extra long because frankly they roll up.   All in all I can see myself throwing this on one chilly morning and heading out the door.  It is big enough to wear a heavy top under it, frankly it is big enough for Little Buddy to be under it with me.  Better too big, than too little is my new motto.  Maybe my other motto should be read the freaking pattern while knitting a sweater if you want it to fit properly.


Made with Berroco Remix in the colorway 3971 which is a dusty rose,  I ended up using 6 skeins of yarn, totaling 1,296 yards.  Made with size 7 circulars,  size 7 double pointed, and size 6 double pointed for the last three inches of the sleeves to make them a little narrower.

Am I in love with it?  I am not sure yet but I will let you know when the temps drop under the mid 80's and I get to wear it. So that is more yarn that has left my stash as of late, hooray for me.  I have passed the yarn store several times lately and have not stopped in even to say hello.  It is much to tempting so I can't stop.  So far I have made it two months with no yarn purchase, it is a start.  I am just under 35,000 yards of yarn in my stash right now, maybe I can make it to under 30,000 by the end of the year. 

Thank you for all of your excitement about Little Buddy and his Halloween costume, he wore it again on Tuesday night for dinner, tail and all.  Never a bad idea to have a rescue pup eating dinner with you just in case something happens.

P.S., Jennifer over at thistlebear is having her wonderful Winter Link Up Party.  I forgot to mention this when I posted about this wonderful sweater.  Since I did not finish a thing last year for her party I am glad to link up this finished sweater right now.  Come on and join the fun.

43 comments:

mamasmercantile said...

I love your oversized cardigan intentional or not, definitely my style. Something to snuggle into on a cool evening stroll, perfect.

AnnieOBTextiles said...

It is beautiful Meredith and I can imagine it becoming a great favourite once the temperature drops. I love the fastener too, so effective with the yarn and shape of the jacket.

Clicky Needles said...

Well I love it Meredith, looks so warm and cosy, we could do with here right now, temps have dropped!

Clicky Needles said...

Well I love it Meredith. Looks so cosy and warm.

Bridget said...

That sweater looks sooooo cozy! I'm sure it would take me longer to knit than it did you, don't feel bad. ;-)

Glad your house is safe, with Chase around ...

have a good weekend, Meredith!

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

We're definitely getting chillier here and your harvest sweater would be perfect, it's a gorgeous colour too xx

Janet said...

It's not big, it's snuggly. XXX

Sue from Oz said...

I love this sweater...it looks so warm and cosy...just the right thing to wrap yourself up in on a chilly day..kinda like a wearable blanket! xx

CJ said...

My littlest boy likes to dress up on ordinary days as well. I like it. There are plenty of days ahead of him when he won't be able to dress as a superhero / ninja / alien / vampire. I personally would like to wear a tutu sometimes. Never had one when I was little. I would like the tights and the little top as well. And my hair in a bun. Love the cardigan, and what a gorgeous colour. It's definitely chilly enough for that here. Wishing you and yours a good weekend. CJ xx

MargaretP said...

Your new sweater looks wonderful, we wear sweaters to keep warm and part of that with me is also to feel comforted, I do not like the cold !
I think making this beauty a bit large will amp up the comfort factor, and you can't go wrong with the extra length to keep your back warm, if your back isn't warm a lot of muscles tend to tense up and you end up with not only an aching back but also fatigue from your blood supply trying to keep that area warm.
What a lovely choice of colour, so rosey and warm I am sure you will love wearing it and it will be your go to snuggle up.
Some days I could sure do with a rescue pup around here, you are very lucky to have one that lives in and is on hand for all emergencies. ...aren't their little imaginations amazing and entertaining, always worth the time to stop and listen.

Mac n' Janet said...

I hate form fitting clothes so all my sweaters are large. Love the color of yours.

bittenbyknittin said...

What a beautiful sweater! Maybe it won't seem so big if you think of it as a jacket? I have a sweater that is oversized. I am going to add a zipper to it, to make it more jacket-like, then wear it on top of other knitwear. That just may get me through the winter!

Teresa Kasner said...

BRAVO on this wonderful project! I hope you love wearing it and get lots of good use out of it after all the time you invested in it. I have worn the heck out of all my shawls. I'm a shawl-aholic now I guess. Dayle and Travis and Caleb are out crabbing today, I just found out they have 24 keepers at last count! They're doing it tomorrow. I can't wait to eat some of them! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Pradeepa said...

Looks so cozy and snuggly! Have a nice weekend.

Araignee said...

I love everything about that sweater. I am going to have to go take a look at that pattern.

karen said...

That is one beautiful sweater. Well done my imaginary friend.

Annie said...

What a terrific finish! If I ever work up the nerve to tackle another cardigan (the one I started three years ago still isn't done...), this would be a great choice.

And thank you for the snickers and grins. Your gentle humor always makes me smile.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

This sweater looks like the most comfy thing ever! Think of the friendship involved in those extra stitches! Hugs.

kathy b said...

What a great finish MEre. I think I saw the yarn price. You actually have an outstanding value! under 80 for that gorgeous knit? And the joy of knitting it!!! GOod job . You continue to inspire me

Lilbitbrit said...

Over size is so comfortable, slip it over anything. I love it, you are so talented.

linda said...

It's perfect meredith just the type of cardigan I like it will be so comfy warm and snug, a fantastic stash-buster I hope that you'll link it to the new stash party on Sunday. :) xx

Caffeine Girl said...

I think your Harvest is gorgeous. It's a good pattern to do oversized. I like what you did with the sleeves. Those garter cuffs a bit heavy. I have been wearing mine, though not as much as I'd expect in November. We keep having highs in the 60s!

Nance said...

I could have used that sweater today! Sunny and 57, but a very brisk and cold wind here in NEO. It would have been perfect.

Anonymous said...

I really, REALLY like that sweater! I think that one will end up being your go-to on chilly mornings!

Judy S. said...

Great sweater! I LOVE that color and your shawl pin, too. That pattern is on my list......someday!

Babajeza said...

To chilly mornings! :-) Have a nice weekend. Hugs, Regula

Between Me and You said...

Love all of it. Looks like a real Labour of Love and such lovely knitting. Xxx

Penny said...

What a beautiful knit! I love dusky rose, it is one of my favourite colours. I don't think I could tackle such a big project as rhis. The finish on it is so professional lookomg. Really lovely x

deb said...

It's lovely and so cozy looking Meredith

Jo said...

It's fabulous, I like a cardigan to be on the big side, it makes it nice and cosy and especially useful for cold days.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Your cardigan is a lovely color and so glad you got it finished so you can wear one of these cooler days. It gets cool in our house in the evenings so I pull on a sweater or sweatshirt instead of hiking up the heat too high. Happy week!

Anita said...

That's too funny!!! Sorry....but you sound a lot like me with the knitting. I can't cope with cable patterns that don't go all the way to the top of the jumper or cardigan. Your cardigan has turned out lovely though and I love the clip you've used to close it...very nice. We can always say chatting can make us do mistakes, that happens all the time. lol. I always blame my girlfriend Heather for my knitting mistakes. lol What are friends for?

Jo@awholeplotoflove said...

It looks fab, far far better to have it bigger than smaller. Wrap it round you and use it as a warm cuddle x

Jo said...

I thought it looked big from the picture, but maybe it is a sweater you will wear in the house in the evening when you are curled up on the sofa. It is always good to finish something isn't it. I am off to check out the other winter projects now.. Good Luck tomorrow! Voting day and all that... Jo xx

Vera said...

I love your sweater - great color and it just looks wonderfully cozy. Perfect for a chilly morning or evening. Glad Little Buddy is keeping you all safe!!

Gracie Saylor said...

WOW! As usual I so admire your work, Meredith! I hope you enjoy wearing your beautiful sweater! xx

Needles and Wool said...

I love your sweater it looks so cozy! I hope that you enjoy it once the colder weather comes. I agree with you bigger is definitely better with sweaters!
take care,
Lisa

Suzan said...

Such a lovely job!!
Just remember - you are a very busy Lady!!!

Pammy Sue said...

Hi, Meredith! I'm visiting a few blogs this afternoon after a looong absence. I LOVE your new sweater. It's looks beautifully knitted! Just perfect. I really like the color too. Glad to see you're still at it. Love, Pammy Sue ♥♥♥

Rachel said...

So beautiful, you're very talented! I love the color, and that you made it a little bigger. I would wear this all the time!

Cecily Graham said...

Isn't it lovely, finishing a big project like that? It looks beautiful, and I hope you find that you do fall in love with it once it gets cold enough!

Jennifer Hays said...

Hi Meredith, I really like your sweater. I think you'll enjoy it more with time, as you have a chance to wear it more often. Thank you for joining in with my link party!

linda said...

Congratulations Meredith your lovely sweater has been featured. :) xx