Inspiration
Dana’s Edit: All About Love
It’s February, a month that a lot of people think is all about love. I thought, how can I translate love into a sweater? I like to think about the details, and whether they give off a romantic feeling. Maybe it’s a ruffle, a pretty lace pattern, a sexy sleeve or even a little mohair. (I do believe that mohair makes everything better.) In previous columns, I’ve featured sweaters like the As If Tee and Paleta. They’d definitely fall into those categories, but I’ve got a few more lovely, loving sweaters for you this month.
The Lovable Sweater by Sylvia McFadden
One of the things I love about this sweater is that Sylvia designed it with the idea that everyone should value and love their bodies. It is meant to look good with negative or positive ease—no matter what size you make, it will look good on you.
If self-love isn’t romantic, and a wonderful concept to embrace this month, I don’t know what is.
In the MDK Shop
Kentia by Marie Amelie
Not up for a long-sleeved, full-length sweater? Love yourself enough to knit a short-sleeved top.
I love the lacy texture on the yoke of this sweater. I’m also always a fan of the possibility of using more than one color for a knit. Pick a blush pink for the top and a deeper berry tone for the bottom if you’re feeling the February love.
Alho by Anna Johanna
Mohair and a little lace pattern? I’m sold!
If you’re a fan of the Love Note sweater (of which I’ve knit three), this might be right up your alley. A single gossamer lace motif across the yoke and on the sleeve, knit with a strand of mohair and a strand of fingering weight yarn held together. It’s delicate, light and absolutely lovely.
Empress by Sari Nordlund
Inspired by Renaissance paintings, this sweater is the ultimate in romance.
The intricate lace work, with bobbles adding an embossed texture, would elevate any outfit from a pair of jeans to your favorite skirt.
Cherry by Midori Hirose
What I love the most about this sweater is that it gives you options: short, elbow length. or balloon sleeves, sheer body or full coverage. What’s better than a build-your-own-sweater adventure?
I see myself knitting one with mohair for the sheer body and with balloon sleeves, because I think a full sleeve is the best detail on a sweater.
If you love knitting, why not use this month to spoil yourself with a special knit? Maybe even make one of these patterns with a yarn you’ve been saving for a special project. And make that special project for yourself—you’re totally worth it.
All pattern photos from Ravelry.com.
As so often happens after reading one of Dana’s edits, I search Ravelry and find most of them are already in my favorites – I like her style!
I love The Lovable Sweater and how actively non-prescriptive it is about the fit. It reminds me of a jumper I had that was big enough to fit two people in. I wore it to death, I loved it so much. Regardless of what a pattern says is right, I’m never going to enjoy negative ease.
Thank you once again for such cute sweater ideas!
Every time Dana posts my list gets longer!
Can’t say I was a big fan of Cherry when I saw it in the white. Then I saw the second picture!!! It’s going straight into my favorite s/library
Love Dana’s picks. I love them all and didn’t remember I had already bought Kentia pattern. Now, I want to make it. So off to the LYS I go. (PS: I also agree that the Cherry pattern is better in the sheer and balloon sleeves. Lovely.)
Thanks for finding patterns I didn’t know about. Cherry is going to the top of my list.
Oh Boy. You get me very excited but then I have to remember that most things itch me on my sleeves….. Do you plan on any long long vests? Love your photos
I love the idea of mohair for a sweater! I never thought of using it so it was see through. Brilliant!
Thank you Dana for these great selections! Always fun to read how you think about knitting and color.
I love every single one of your designs on the MDK post today! Will you put them all into one book, and I’ll be one of the first to buy it? Thank you.
As usual, Dana’s post has made my To Knit list a few sweaters longer! I love knitting as a way to love myself – the process and the product are self-love, for me.
My greatest knitting sadness is that mohair makes me itch. I love all the mohair sweaters that have been out there lately. If anyone knows of good fuzzy substitutes, please share!
Have you tried Suri Alpaca?
Not yet, but it does look fuzzy! La bien aimee kumo is a blend of baby suri alpaca and silk, and I’ve been eyeing that for awhile. 🙂
These are so great! Going to my faves on Ravelry now— thank you! 🙂
I always look forward to your posts Dana!
What a great eye you have– thank you for sharing your finds. How did I miss this post in February? I must have had my head under the blankets, feeling the long winter doldrums….LOVE these! I particularly like the possibility of variation in Midori Hirose’s designs. I just finished her Chaika, which I first saw in your column!