Letters
Daytripper: 4 Things I’ve Noticed
Dear Kay,
This Daytripper Cardigan is coming together so fast that I haven’t even suffered Sleeve Fatigue.
It’ll be done soon.
As I’m whooshing through this cardigan, here are things I’ve noticed along the way.
Magic Loop is fantastic. I’ve used a 32-inch (80 cm) cable for this whole sweater, swapping out US 9 (5.5 mm) and US 10 (6 mm) needle tips as needed.
If you haven’t tried the Magic Loop method, it is such a winner. Have a look at Jen Arnall-Culliford’s video tutorial to see what’s what. It means you can knit a small-circumference collar, then move right to the bigger yoke, then to the torso using one circular needle.
Steam blocking as you go is a help. Maybe it’s that I’m not used to knitting stranded on a big needle, but my yoke was pretty wonky. St. Kay of Rowenta reminded me that it’s not cheating to steam a bit as I went, and sure enough, the yoke started to look a lot less wacky after a quick bout with my steam iron.
Do watch out for your needles, though, especially if you’re using wooden ones. Hot steam could really wreck a wooden needle, so take care.
My color choices are working for me. I spent a middling amount of time (for me) stewing about what colors to use. Given the 38 colors to work with, I feel like I zeroed in on a colorway incredibly fast! I ruled out entire categories of color—I decided I needed to steer away from my favorite color, green, given that I have a number of green sweaters.
I’m using this combination.
Main color: Oatmeal
Yoke: Black Heather, White, Royal Fuchsia, Air Blue, Straw, and Crimson Red
Collar, Cuffs, and Button Band: Black Heather
This yarn is fascinating. Léttlopi makes me feel like I’m tapping into an ancient kind of knitting.
The rustic fibers feel good in my hands, close to the sheep I guess. I’m told that years ago, Lopi yarn had more lanolin in it than it does now. All I know is that Kermit is following this sweater around like a newfound friend.
I think he thinks it’s an Icelandic sheep.
Knitting Along
How’s it going, everybody? The knitalong for Mary Jane Mucklestone’s designs in Field Guide No. 17: Lopi is in full swing at the moment. If you want to see what the fuss is about, take a moment to visit the conversation going on in the MDK Lounge, “It’s the MDK Lopi Knitalong!” And finished objects are already popping up on Instagram. Have a look: #lopikalMDK.
Love,
Ann
Your sweater is looking fantastic! I think your color choices really work
Exactly what I came here to say!
Thank you! I’m seeing so many good combos on Instagram. It looks so different depending on contrast, hue, etc.
Love your colors!!
Thanks, Rev! ; )
So glad you took to Magic Loop, Ann. I did my duty as a new knitter by knitting a couple of hats with dpns. But Magic Loop turned out to be a game changer for me. I love how – in theory – you can get down to two or three stitches with it. Not that you would. But it demonstrates the versatility of it…..Love your colors for the sweater, too, like everyone else and how the fuschia gives it that punch. And that Oatmeal probably goes with everything. (I’ve got a roomful of yarn. I don’t need this temptation:)).
Magic Loop + interchangeable needles = good fun for sure.
Love these colors—restraint with some pops. This time of year when everything has been gray /dead for months outside I veer toward loud colored sweaters that I regret a few months later.
(Typed while wearing a screaming red FO just off the needles, while knitting Lagoon Lopi).
Funny you mention it–I think a wild version would be great fun. [scrambles off to color up another version]
This is looking so pretty! I LOVE your photos. They are beautifully done and so helpful.
Thanks. My eternal assistant Kermit is so helpful. He likes to art-direct while sitting on top of the thing he’s art-directing.
One of the wonderful benefits of the lanolin content in traditional unspun Lopi is that the sweater is practically rainproof (if it just drizzles a little and doesn’t pour). It is also dirt-repellent. My husband has a lopi sweater that he got for Christmas in 1994 and it has only been washed three or four times.
Oh wow, that’s so interesting. I guess sheep really do have it all figured out.
Perhaps another steek cutting party? It is going to take a bit of courage to cut the front of a cardigan for the first time.
Love the colors.
We’re definitely having another Zoom before long. I’ll try to have something to chop up on live camera!
Kermit is just trying to do his job as the MDK Yarn Tester! He needs to check whether the yarn is warm and soft. He does this by taking a nap on it. Let him do his job!
TRYIN TO BE HELPFUL BUT FOODLADY IS REALLY RESISTANT TO SUGGESTION
Is that sweater as short as it looks in the picture?
It’s hitting at high hip when I tried it on. Definitely a shorter cardigan, but I think it’s knit to the size specs. (This is the third size.) I haven’t wet-blocked it, which may grow it a little.
Beautiful colors. Very wearable. I hope mine will be.
Yours is going to be MAGNIFICENT, Mary! I just know it!
I made one yoke with some colors I thought I liked base on a the swatch hat I made and then I changed my mind completely and decided on blues. I hope there is enough contrast in the new batch of lopi I ordered but I know I will like blue.
Blue is the universal donor of colors.
That’s beautiful!
Thank ye! Really having fun with this quick lil thing.
I really like your choice of colours. It looks gorgeous already.
Thank you, Ruth! I’m wishing the single dots of red were a bigger thing. Red is just such a good exclamation point.
How about duplicate stitch over the reds for more of the pop you want?
I really like the way you used red here – *just* the tiny dots stand out with surprising effect. More would be too much here, I think!
Well done you! Colors are gorgeous snd welcome to the Magic Loop fan club. I failed to swatch the yoke and now have two different sized garments in one. Considering DayTripper surgery. Will report back.
Next time I’ll size up on the needle to an 11 for the yoke. I usually do ok with tension on stranded knitting, but this gauge was a little tricky for me. As they say, It Will All Sort Out In The Blocking!
LOL…re “universal donor of colors.” Reminds me of a comment by a retailer back in the sixties that despite all the changes in fashion “it is always a ‘blue’ year.” Chloe
I prefer a pullover ( shown) over cardigan. Did I miss the pattern somewhere?
Cheers
Lorna
Love the color choices. My Destination would be done if I hadn’t changed my mind on color so many times and ripping out.
So glad to see Kermit again, at least part of him. And your beautiful sweater, too, of course, Ann.