Projects
The Gray Zone
Dear Kay,
It seems crazy that I’ve never made an all-gray, pure-gray sweater. I love gray. Gray is the middle ground, the in between, the blur.
It’s almost done, this gray sweater. It’s comical how slowly I’m making this cardigan. There was a time when I’d crank a sweater like this in a couple of weeks, zooming through it in a fever, as if I were going to forget how to knit before I was done, or that the yarn would go stale, or the pattern would expire.
I’m wildly distracted these days. But it has been a sweet thing to make my first sweater using our own yarn, Jane. [Wipes semi-tear of pride.]
Let’s go to the videotape.
At my last briefing (not to be missed, really) (quality content), this is where we were on the Jacobs Cardigan by Norah Gaughan. A rectangle with a wacky top part.
Just when I was thinking this would make a great pup tent, it was time to join the shoulders and get this thing looking like a goshdarn sweater.
A few short rows later, I three-needle-bind-offed the shoulders and zing!
At this point, this Jacobs Cardigan gave me a full Norah Gaughan mind-bending experience.
Here’s how that collar got to be looking like that. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever made.
After knitting the whole body in one gargantuan piece, and sewing the shoulder seams, it was time to work with the 31 stitches I saved on waste yarn at the right and left fronts of the cardigan.
Then—and this is the big THEN moment—I worked three inches more on each batch of 31 stitches, making two tabs, mystifying: how is this going to work?
Well, you three-needle bind off the ends of each tab together, then sew the side edge to the back neck.
THEN. You fold the collar in half, sew the edge to the back neck, and the rest of the cardigan edges gently fold under. Not stitched down, just sort of . . . there.
WUT? Trust me when I say that this is one of the most satisfying moments I’ve had working a cardigan collar, EVER. Very elegant.
I’ve got a sleeve to go, and I’ve finally got the hang of the stitch pattern, so I’ll be home free in the next few days. (Pro tip: do not watch Italian dramas with subtitles when learning an irregular knit-purl stitch pattern.)
Bundle up! We’re going to need all the comfort we can get this winter, and I think this Jacobs Cardigan is going to be my number-one comfort garment.
To recap: Jacobs Cardigan by Norah Gaughan, in Field Guide No. 28: Renewal. Yarn: Jane by Modern Daily Knitting, color Shadow. Third size. Happiness level: 9/10. (Would be 10/10 if I had avoided Italian drama with subtitles.)
Love,
Ann
I cannot wait to see you in this cardigan. Hurry up and finish, please.
I need a cardigan like this. Love it!
What a pleasing design – magical knitting is such a treat. It’s why turning a heel is still a thrill for me, even after a big (and even) number of heels turned. The stitch pattern looks literary to me, textual, like hieroglyphs or a closely-written manuscript. All in all, a great sweater. And grey. Ahhhhhhhhh.
Love this sweater @ann and the color. Definitely going into the queue!
Che bel maglione!
It does look comforting. Your stitch work is beautiful.
Thanks for this detailed description, it really helps to understand this magical design. Wow!!
Very tempted to add this to my queue!
I LOVE this sweater. It was an easy knit, and when the shoulders were bound off and the tiny seam for the collar was done, the magic happened here, too! The yarn was a joy to work with! This is one of my best fitting sweaters (after 60+ years).
This is encouraging to hear because I love the design and Ann’s writing makes it sound straightforward. The only thing that made me think twice are the short rows. Are they complicated, or described clearly? I have been knitting for over 55 years now and there seem to be short rows in so many patterns now; I dislike them intensely!
There is a very clear and complete description on German short rows in the Field Guide. Nothing was left to chance here!
Thank you for your helpful answer Irene. I may give it a try after my Christmas knitting is done!
Cathy, I encourage you to watch some videos (there are many) that explain short rows, and give them a try. They make such a difference in the fit of garments. That is the reason patterns have them, because they are so effective! German short rows are truly fantastic, almost invisible.
If you have been knitting for 55 years, I can draw the conclusion that you are not a very young person. All the more reason to exercise your brain and tackle a challenge. Good luck!
My brain gets plenty of exercise, thank you. For me, knitting is an enjoyable and relaxing pastime, and not an exercise in frustration. Have a good day.
And here I thought the Italian drama with subtitles was going to be Lydia Poet on Netflix. It’s a beautiful sweater!
I’m sort of sworn off sweaters (they take me so long), but now I want one of these to wear. Looks super cozy as well as really nice.
Beautiful design and pattern! This really is origami!
Watching the finale of ’My Brilliant Friend?’
Not knitting tv, though I picked up a few Italian words. Brilliant books as well.
Lovely sweater.
Love it!!
It’s looking great! Subtitles are a no go when doing most knitting, unless it’s something really simple. I did watch a series that was entirely subtitles, but that’s not particularly pleasing for a knitter.
Love reading your writing and laughing all the way through…great way to begin the day!
I’m with you, Meredith (also my daughter’s name). Ann’s writing is delightful to read…so much humour in this piece. I loved it!!
Looking forward to making this, thanks for the photos of your work in progress
Love the sweater! Love the color! Can’t wait to see you wearing it.
Thanks so much for SHOWING us — When you got to picture #5, I said “ohhhh”, out loud. I hadn’t believed that rolled looking edge would be anything but something that forever would need fiddling with. But it is actually quite nicely engineered (I know, you all told us that). Also that high, doubled collar will be so COZY.
Can’t wait to see the finished sweater, and I bet you can’t either.
Sounds like the aha moment when you make your first baby surprise jacket. Truly an innovative approach.
Swoon. I, too, adore grey. I, too, have very light hair and skin. Many greys (especially if worn near my face) tend to make me look embalmed. I jettisoned a grey wrap cardigan in the past year that was ratty beyond redemption, even though it was of mass-produced, heavily-acrylic blended origin. If I can find the right Oxford-y grey, I may have to give this one a go.
Wonderful description, Ann! You are a poet of knitting, as usual. That’s a very nice gray, and I’m a big fan of grays, especially darker ones. But wait–you have two male offspring and they’ve never asked you for (or grudgingly agreed to accept) an all-gray sweater? The ones in my household have caused me to log many hours knitting gray things.
Ann, this sweater is beautiful! Thank you for the fun explanation of the collar!
Gosh darn it Ann now I have to make this one, too.
This was the sweater I was most attracted to in this Field Guide. I’m happy to know that it’s so cool to finish. I have the worst time with finishing.
Stale yarn! Pattern expiration! Italian subtitles! I’m so intrigued by your explanation of the unique sweater construction…. Might have to tackle this. Thanks, Ann.
One of my favorite sewing patterns does the same folding collar thing. It is such a nice easy ways to finish.
And the fabric is a jersey knit fabric!
Pattern: Brasov top by Itch to Stitch
https://itch-to-stitch.com/product/brasov-wrap-top-digital-sewing-pattern-pdf/?srsltid=AfmBOoofvaiqZlx_M6UbDrBTwOhxr5Y–GnP-PryXQXtH4_6PLfvBSzM
In my queue!
Great idea ‼️
I just started on this, have about 6″ of back done. I LOVE THIS YARN AND I LOVE THIS PATTERN. So far 10/10 for me though I have had to tink back a couple times because I am trying to read a (not mind taxing) novel while knitting. Prob not wise of me, but it suits where my addled brain is these days.
I am bookmarking this page for when I get to the collar – I am thinking I may need it! The collar was one of the things that made me say THIS PATTERN although I typically avoid bottom up sweaters.
The Jane yarn is sweet, sweet, sweet. Real knitters yarn. I want a sweaters worth in every color!