I have recently acquired 3 different colours of the same 100% silk yarn- Louisa Harding's Mulberry. It's a beautiful yarn and I'm SO EXCITED to have something in pure silk to knit...because that feels expensive. Even though I didn't pay much for this yarn, it's nice to know I'm wearing something, theoretically, expensive because money equals power.
But my dilemma is what precisely I should knit. And dear readers, that's where you come in! Although I should warn you, my computer-ineptness disallows me from responding to any comments on my blog. I don't know why this is or what I'm doing wrong, but for some reason I cannot fathom, I cannot comment on my own blog. So if you do comment (and I hope you do! I love comments!) and I don't write back, please don't be upset! I am reading and delighting in your responses and if my brain worked better/differently, I would be responding.
So here are the 3 different colors I have (I took photos outside to get the most accurate reflections of color):
So, left to right, the colours are #09, #18, and #21, if any of you are familiar with Louisa Harding yarns. In layman's terms, I'd say the furthest on the left is watermelon (pinky red), the middle is lilac (light purple with slight pink undertones) and on the right is berry (deep purple). I have 12 balls of the first two and 9 of the last, enough to make a sweater in each (perhaps only 3/4 length sleeves in the purple).
#1 - Casablanca, by Annie Modesitt
Style- Wide neck/off the shoulder (neckline is tightened by crochet edging, so I can adjust to suit my preference), long tunic in lace.
Cost- Free
Yarn/Needles- Recommends Karabella Zodiac (98 yards/50 grams), a Worsted weight yarn in 100% cotton, needles alter between US 5, 6, and 7.
Pros- It's free. I love open necklines and they're very flattering on larger busts, plus, since I am *officially* a crocheter, the final edging won't be a problem.
Concerns- I wonder if my yarn, which is significantly lighter than the recommended yarn, will make this pattern too airy. On the other hand, it is a lace pattern, so that might look very nice (although it will require a tank top underneath, most likely). A few people on Ravelry have commented that it "looks best with a belt" which makes me think it might be a bit shapeless. Do I want a straight up and down tunic?
#2 - Lily, by Marnie MacLean
Style:
Pattern Description from twist collective.com: “Knit in the round with seamless construction and wildflower lace panels and raglan sleeves.”
Price: US $7.00
Yarn/Needles: Recommends Fiddlesticks Silken Merino (114 yards/50 grams), 50% silk/50% merino wool. Needles- US #5
Pros: I fell in love with this sweater when I saw this version. Is that gorgeous? No seams, and the details are limited to the sides, which makes a nice break from the more typical "central panel" design motif.
Concerns: No sure how well silk yarn knits into bobbles (the little balls which comprise the side design). If they're saggy or sloppy, the pattern would be ruined. And it's not lacy, per say, so perhaps this would be better in a wool blend? Hmm...
#3 - Wakame, by Angela Hahn
Style: Light, lacy tunic, designed to hang low over hips (but I could shorten it) and be worn over something.
Price: US $5.50, but I bought it during one of InterweavesOnline sales for about $3.00
Yarn/Needles: Recommends Tilli Tomas Fil de la Mer (70% silk, 30% SeaCell; 140 yd/50 grams), and US # 7
Pros: Calls for an almost identical yarn, and I already have the pattern. Very pretty lace work.
Concerns: No shaping, and #7's will make a VERY drapey, lacy effect...which is gorgeous, but means this will be more of a statement piece, not something I throw on regularly. To prevent the lace from snagging on anything, I'd likely wear this over leggings rather than jeans.
#4 - Milinda, by Joan Macgowan-Michael
Style: Square neckline with gathering beneath the bust, and lacy details along torso and lower sleeves.
Price: US $8.50
Yarn/Needles: Recommends Cascade Cotton Rich DK (136 yards/50 grams, 65% cotton/36% nylon) or Cascade 220 Sport (165 yards/50 gram, 100% wool), US # 7
Pros: Very pretty, feminine style and shape. I like the square neckline and lower lace detailing.
Concerns: Empire waists can either look really great on me (emphasises my bust) or terrible (makes me look pregnant) and I can never predict how it will come out until I've tried it on. US #7 makes me think the pattern will be quite a loose fabric, and there are a few other patterns around for free which seem sort of similar. Sort of. Check out Jaden by Ruby Lo and the HelloSunshineLaceSweater by Javede.
Then, there are a few sweaters that are short sleeved, which I could try, likely lengthening the sleeves to make them 3/4 length (which I always prefer). Have a look at
Oi! So many choices!! Does any one have a preference? Or if you have any other ideas, please let me know! I'd love to hear what you think, cyber-buddies :)
But my dilemma is what precisely I should knit. And dear readers, that's where you come in! Although I should warn you, my computer-ineptness disallows me from responding to any comments on my blog. I don't know why this is or what I'm doing wrong, but for some reason I cannot fathom, I cannot comment on my own blog. So if you do comment (and I hope you do! I love comments!) and I don't write back, please don't be upset! I am reading and delighting in your responses and if my brain worked better/differently, I would be responding.
So here are the 3 different colors I have (I took photos outside to get the most accurate reflections of color):
 |
| This guy kept walking past me as I tried to take this photo, back and forth, and back and forth and back and forth, and finally I said, "Can you please go away for a minute? I'm trying to take pictures of my yarn." And he had the nerve to look at me as if I were the strange one!! |
So, left to right, the colours are #09, #18, and #21, if any of you are familiar with Louisa Harding yarns. In layman's terms, I'd say the furthest on the left is watermelon (pinky red), the middle is lilac (light purple with slight pink undertones) and on the right is berry (deep purple). I have 12 balls of the first two and 9 of the last, enough to make a sweater in each (perhaps only 3/4 length sleeves in the purple).
Dilemmas
- This is quite a lightweight DK yarn- one 50 gram ball gets me 136 yards, and it's all silk so it won't bounce back and suck up extra space as a light DK in wool would do. I'm having a bit of trouble finding patterns that call for light DK yarns.
- These are not colours I would necessarily pick up if not seduced by the 64% price reduction. (I know, right? I can sniff out a bargain like a bloodhound, even online.) They are all lovely and I am very pleased with them, especially since I'm always wearing/knitting/buying jewel tones (red, blue, green) or greys, so it's nice to branch out into "hues."
- I've never knit with 100% silk before. Silk is very much considered a luxury yarn, and often mixed with other fibers, both to reduce cost and increase the lifespan of the textile (silk is prone to rot and fading, more so than many other fabrics). It does not stretch like wool, and blocks beautifully-it really opens up to show lacy, intricate patterns. Plus, given its delicate nature, I can justify making a very intricate, time-consuming project worthy of an Artiste, as I'll be especially careful wearing it (although I'm obsessively careful with all my handknits. If someone approaches me with coffee, a cigarette, sharp objects or anything else I deem potentially harzardous to my sweater, I ask them to step away).
#1 - Casablanca, by Annie Modesitt
 |
| Photo: Annie Modesitt |
Style- Wide neck/off the shoulder (neckline is tightened by crochet edging, so I can adjust to suit my preference), long tunic in lace.
Cost- Free
Yarn/Needles- Recommends Karabella Zodiac (98 yards/50 grams), a Worsted weight yarn in 100% cotton, needles alter between US 5, 6, and 7.
Pros- It's free. I love open necklines and they're very flattering on larger busts, plus, since I am *officially* a crocheter, the final edging won't be a problem.
Concerns- I wonder if my yarn, which is significantly lighter than the recommended yarn, will make this pattern too airy. On the other hand, it is a lace pattern, so that might look very nice (although it will require a tank top underneath, most likely). A few people on Ravelry have commented that it "looks best with a belt" which makes me think it might be a bit shapeless. Do I want a straight up and down tunic?
#2 - Lily, by Marnie MacLean
 |
| Photo: Caroline Bergeron |
Pattern Description from twist collective.com: “Knit in the round with seamless construction and wildflower lace panels and raglan sleeves.”
Price: US $7.00
Yarn/Needles: Recommends Fiddlesticks Silken Merino (114 yards/50 grams), 50% silk/50% merino wool. Needles- US #5
Pros: I fell in love with this sweater when I saw this version. Is that gorgeous? No seams, and the details are limited to the sides, which makes a nice break from the more typical "central panel" design motif.
Concerns: No sure how well silk yarn knits into bobbles (the little balls which comprise the side design). If they're saggy or sloppy, the pattern would be ruined. And it's not lacy, per say, so perhaps this would be better in a wool blend? Hmm...
#3 - Wakame, by Angela Hahn
 |
| Photo: Angela Hahn |
Price: US $5.50, but I bought it during one of InterweavesOnline sales for about $3.00
Yarn/Needles: Recommends Tilli Tomas Fil de la Mer (70% silk, 30% SeaCell; 140 yd/50 grams), and US # 7
Pros: Calls for an almost identical yarn, and I already have the pattern. Very pretty lace work.
Concerns: No shaping, and #7's will make a VERY drapey, lacy effect...which is gorgeous, but means this will be more of a statement piece, not something I throw on regularly. To prevent the lace from snagging on anything, I'd likely wear this over leggings rather than jeans.
#4 - Milinda, by Joan Macgowan-Michael
 |
| Photo: Joan Macgowan-Michael |
Price: US $8.50
Yarn/Needles: Recommends Cascade Cotton Rich DK (136 yards/50 grams, 65% cotton/36% nylon) or Cascade 220 Sport (165 yards/50 gram, 100% wool), US # 7
Pros: Very pretty, feminine style and shape. I like the square neckline and lower lace detailing.
Concerns: Empire waists can either look really great on me (emphasises my bust) or terrible (makes me look pregnant) and I can never predict how it will come out until I've tried it on. US #7 makes me think the pattern will be quite a loose fabric, and there are a few other patterns around for free which seem sort of similar. Sort of. Check out Jaden by Ruby Lo and the HelloSunshineLaceSweater by Javede.
Then, there are a few sweaters that are short sleeved, which I could try, likely lengthening the sleeves to make them 3/4 length (which I always prefer). Have a look at
- Diamond Back Top by Kira Dulaney (US $6.00)
- Buttercup by Heide Kirrmaier (free)
- Date Night by Nikol Lohr (free)
- The Krista Tee by Joan Macgowan-Michael (US $8.00)
- Leaf Yoke Top by Angela Hahn (US $6.00)
Oi! So many choices!! Does any one have a preference? Or if you have any other ideas, please let me know! I'd love to hear what you think, cyber-buddies :)
DEFINITELY No. 3! Since when was 'statement piece' a 'concern' rather than a 'pro'?! I think you need to get out of that California-casual mentality and back into the sub-fusc-May-ball-statement-piece one!
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