Inspiration
Easel Sweater No. 4?
First of all, if you haven’t read “RibbonQuest 2017” from new MDK contributor DG Strong, please scamper over there to enjoy it.
It’ll give you strength for whatever knitting journey you’re on. Truly.
I’m heartened to hear from somebody who can get a full-throttled, single-minded knitting fever going. And sustain it for 16 months. It makes me feel less weird about knitting the same sweater three times in a row.
Maybe these look exactly the same to you, and yes, maybe they are all Sue McCain’s Easel Sweater from Field Guide No. 3. But to me, I’ve got 21 Inuit words for the uniqueness of each of these sweaters. They look nothing alike, really.
See the sworgly parts?
This yarn relieves a knitter from worrying much about dye lots and conformity. That’s putting it mildly. You just go.
Lichen and Lace Superwash Worsted is the game changer here. That’s Marsh Lily on the left, Pressed Flowers on the right.
We just received a new harvest of the yarn that spawned this Easel Sweater mania, and my first thought was I think I need a sweater of that.
Yes, Megan Ingman strikes again, with a brand-new delivery of Lichen and Lace Worsted Superwash. She calls this shade Wild Flowers. Which is not the same as Wildflowers. I’m sure there’s a reason for this, probably having to do with the Canadian language or something.
The greens are all over the place. There’s red and purple and gold in there. It’s just great. I’ve got no idea how this is going to look knitted up, but by golly I’m game to find out.
At this point, if you haven’t yet sipped from the cup of Lichen and Lace, this Wild Flowers color would be a decent place to start.
I think a person wanting to take it slow might try out this yarn for a Colorwash Scarf, Kirsten Kapur’s swishy swash from Field Guide No. 3 that would be nice in this worsted weight yarn. The pattern calls for fingering weight, but if you up the needle to a size 9 or 10, four skeins of this worsted weight yarn would work up into a really pretty thing with nice warmth for the coming ice age. Or whatever weather extreme is next.
We have a tiny bit of Marsh Lily left, as well as this new Wild Flowers in the Shop. A crazy person would make a log cabin blanket out of these two shades. I don’t think I’m crazy. But I am curious.
If you’ve been experimenting with your Lichen and Lace yarn, and feel like some show and tell, there’s a topic over in the Lounge, “Lichen and Lace Yarns.” So curious to see what happens with this lovely stuff.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with knitting the same sweater multiple times – you love what you love! Thanks for the suggestion on knitting up a Colorwash Shawl in worsted weight – sounds snuggly for the cooler weather.
Want one. As my mom would as, “What size needles?” We’re old school.
Ahh. This is all just so GORGEOUS!!
I’m on target to start my Easel Sweater this weekend, Lichen and Lace + stash yarn. I’ve been a model of self-restraint finishing other stuff and I CAN’T WAIT.
THRILLING!!! Show your work over in the Lounge. I gotta see!
I say this with all the love in my heart, Ann. Maybe it’s time to admit that the Easel Sweater is your drug of choice? Maybe a nice 12-step program?
It’s like Doritos–the only way to get the taste out of your mouth is to eat more Doritos.
Dear Ann — I’m delighted that you have found a sweater pattern you love. But frankly, to my eyes, the Easel tends to look like a scrap project. Not that there’s anything wrong with scrap projects, but if I wanted a scrappy sweater I’d go to the odds & ends stash!
Here’s to Knitter’s Choice!
Trust me, you’re not the only one with this opinion. : ) Ask Kay what she thinks of my Easel Sweaters …
I’m reminded of Noah Liff, the owner of a giant scrap metal plant in the middle of downtown Nashville. “You may see an eyesore,” he’d say to people, “but I see something very beautiful.”
Ah, but the use of such heavenly yarn elevates this from scrappy to what my mom used to call studied casualness. I purchased two skeins of that Marsh Lily colorway to make a scarf. My originally intended pattern did not seem to fit the yarn; ultimately, I cast on for a K1 P1 rib which I think will show off the best features of the yarn without the scarf curling.
Really, there is something special about the Marsh Lily yarn. I can’t put my finger on it exactly. The quality of the color reminds me of a precious find in an antique shop, a vintage doll or vintage hair ribbons. The feel of the yarn is both soft, and substantial.The colors are gorgeous, and change with whichever light I am working. It’s kind of mysterious, in a serene sort of way.
Some of the colors are long time favoritesof mine, and some I have shyed away from because my mama did not like them on me. I am now making friends with all, and I hope they pool like crazy!
This yarn adds elegance, sophistication, and a sort of class to the humble “scrappy” sweater. It, however, is not boastful of its own charms, but is secure in its own worth.
I can totally understand the urge to reknit this one. Especially since, when I looked at the first picture again to choose a favorite…I honestly couldn’t do it. All so nice, and each in it’s own way. If someone laid out those sweaters in front of my eyes and said, “Pick one and take it!” I would probably stare for ten minutes then burst into tears.
This new batch of colors is luscious. I can’t wait to see what solid you pull to make the sleeves – and maybe pockets??
I totally love the pocket idea. Everything is better with pockets. Genius.
I ordered my yarn and am going to make the Colorwash Scarf….or a Honey Cowl. Hmmmm, reminds me of reading about someone falling down the Honey Cowl hole. Seems to me she made a few more than three. I am only on number two and the first one is going to be a birthday gift in December.
A Honey Cowl! Now there’s an idea. I think Kay made one once? ; )
Would love to see how this turns out!
Sworgly is my new favorite word.
I’m not usually a fan of sweaters in variegated yarn, but I’ve been totally captivated by your collection of easel sweaters and am sorely tempted to make one – seems like the perfect pullover to cheer up a gloomy day. Thank you for some happy inspiriation.
I’m curious what needle size and yardage you used (given that your projects converted a fingering weight pattern to use with worsted weight yarn).
You know, I’ve never made a variegated sweater before this, ever. I have 14 years of blogging gray and blue and bluegray sweaters to prove it lol . . . . There’s just something about this yarn that I can’t resist. And this sweater pattern is really simple and lets the crazy come out without interruption.
The Easel Sweater pattern by Sue McCain actually calls for worsted weight yarn, not fingering, so i just grabbed my size 7 (no other size needles are required, another bonus of this easy pattern), cast on a swatch, and hit gauge right away. No conversion required. In terms of yardage, I’ve been making the size 36-38 sweater, so I’ve had six skeins on hand of Lichen and Lace for each sweater (200 yds/skein), to give me room to select the skeins that look best together. Actual use is closer to five skeins. And the contrast color is around 200-300 yards–I THINK. I wasn’t really keeping track, but I think that’s what I used.
I love your easels. They look like the happiest sweaters one could wear. I’d not thought of making one previously, but I might have to now, with a v-neck or scoopier neck variation maybe since those look better on me. Keep on making easels Ann!