Inspiration
The It Sweater: Birkin
Dear Ann,
It’s chutzpah to declare that any one sweater pattern was the It Sweater of Rhinebeck 2017, but there was one sweater that we kept seeing, and seeing. We saw it in the original yarn and colors, and we saw it with substitutions and modifications that knocked our eyes out. The shape and fit looked good on every person we saw.
Sweater knitting is hard, this we know. So when you see a sweater getting knitted a lot, and also worn a lot, it’s special.
So of course I want to make it.
What was this sweater?
Birkin by Caitlin Hunter.
Birkin was published in May 2017 in Laine magazine, and it’s available now as an individual download.
Was Birkin the sweater inspired by Jane Birkin the style icon? Until I can check that issue of Laine, I will assume that it was. A quick Google image search revealed Jane rocking all manner of sweaters, but I did not find her wearing one with a floral yoke.
I searched the pattern notes for a clue as to why Birkin looks so great on everyone, and I think it might have something to do with this: “The sweater is knit seamlessly in the round from the top down and the body is gently shaped into an A-line by changing needle sizes.”
A-ha! The old changing-the-needle-size trick! I love that method, as it means you don’t have to fiddle with shaping increases, so the project becomes that little bit more portable and eligible for TV knitting. (And it also means that if the A-line is not for you, you just keep going on the same needles.)
The original version, with its delicate four-color patterning, is delightful, but I find the two-color versions even more compelling, somehow. I also love the contrast of a dark main color and a light color for the yoke, as seen here in Clare’s Monochrome Birkin.
(Wow. If you want to see an incredible body of beautiful knitting, check out Clare’s Ravelry project page: Dreamsbythesea. What an eye for great patterns, and incredible productivity. I feel validated in my love of Granito by Clare’s beautiful gold version.) Another dark-MC version, by gypsythedog, sealed the deal for me.
Backyard Birkin
For about two seconds, I was stumped on what yarn would be good for Birkin. I love the lightness of Brooklyn Tweed Loft, but would prefer something smoother and softer for a garment that gets everyday wear. I thought, “it’ll come to me,” and let it go for the moment.
And it did come to me, at dinner on Saturday night, when Alice O’Reilly was knitting along happily on a Campside Cardi, using her Backyard Fiberworks Sock, double-stranding it to get a DK weight. Yes—the very same Backyard Fiberworks Sock that we now carry in the Shop.
Here are my first-cut picks for a monochrome Birkin in Backyard Fiberworks Sock:
Main color: Inkling.
Yoke color: One Thin Dime.
Or Local Honey.
Or Patio. (This is hard.)
I also love the lower-contrast combination of:
Main color: Wine Dark Sea.
Yoke Color: Jamberry.
Or Pumpkin.
At the moment, I can’t even choose the main color, between Inkling (it’s inky blue! I love inky blue!) and Wine Dark Sea (it’s a red for neutral lovers! I’m a neutral lover!).
This is going to take a while.
Love,
Kay
Inkling and local honey would be stunning.
Birkin is on top of my to-do list followed by about 100 other patterned yoke sweaters. (What has happened to me – I used to be such a shawl knitter, and now it is sweaters, sweaters, sweaters all the time! Many of which are fingering weight ones, no less!)
Whatever you decide to choose – it will be lovely!
There must be a name for this syndrome, the same thing has happened to me! Birkin has gone to the top of my long list of beautiful yokes.
I thought I read somewhere that the yoke was inspired by flower crowns Jane Birkin wore. Also, I love Wine stark Sea with One Thin Dime – and I want to make this sweater too! Hmmmm.
Just came by to offer that combo!
The model photo suggests tha connection as well.
There is always Inkling and Pumpkin if you want to break out of the neutrals. You can’t go wrong with any of these colors, each looks so vibrant. I have been pondering a pattern for the yarn, you have got me thinking.
Love Inkling and Pumpkin!
Be like Ann and make TWO—–one in Inkling and one in Wine Dark Sea:)
My thoughts exactly! Why not both?
I shopped for Birkin at Sheep&Wool! I chose Harrisville Shetland in colors matching the original. Can’t wait to get started.
Check out my friend’s version @encyknits on IG. Also thank you the shout out and flattering pic of me on your Rhinebeck roundup post. xx
Ooops @encyaustinknits on IG
I came home from Rhinebeck on Monday afternoon and a half hour later owned the pattern! I too fell in love with it after seeing it on several people. What a gorgeous, flattring sweater!
Oh my! This pattern! Happy that it is finally cooling off here in Western Massachusetts. It gives me the desire to make and wear that sweater. Love that Wine color.
Thank you, Kay, for featuring my pullover and for being so kind! My head is swelling as we speak… x
Your knitting is beautiful as is your art! Is it for sale somewhere?
I meant are your paintings for sale, not your knitting. 🙂
Thank you, Susan! My artwork: not currently for sale, though this may change at some point. I need to be a bit more prolific, I think!
I think you need one in inkling and one in wine.
ohhh this is so good. I was also blown away by the looks-good-on-everyone quality of Birkin at Rhinebeck . The 4 color leaf & flower yoke is just a little sweeter than what I like to wear–but with a monochrome yoke? YES!!!! thanks for the link.
I’m saying the Wine Dark Sea with One Thin Dime. Although you can’t go wrong with any of her yarn…..
xoxox
Hey, whats the difficulty level (asked the woman who only seems to finish hats, scarves, afghan collaborations, or 1 sweater every 3-6 years.) O- and a mash up vote, dark wine with local honey-its a fall leaf saturated color thing.
Ooooh…. Wine Dark Sea and Pumpkin! I would probably never have gotten to that combination myself, but now that you’ve put it out there, I love it!
Pumpkin is where its at!
There were a lot of yoke sweaters (in that heat!), but even more asymmetrical shawls, ranging from skinny scarves to the full fade.
My vote is for wine dark see with one thin dime as the yoke color. Whichever you choose it will be lovely I’m sure.
I love both of those sweaters and I’m pretty sure that I’m going to have to make one or both after I get through the Christmas list.
I have not heard of this method to make A line. Is there a rule of thumb or does it change with the pattern?
I think it’s just to go 1 or 2 needle sizes up. If you went up more than that, the fabric would change noticeably, although of course that could also be a desired effect.
Thanks. Will have to try it sometime. Love the blog. Read it everyday!
I’m so glad you featured Clare’s Monochrome Birkin. She’s one of my Ravelry friends, and indeed all her work is admirable. The Birkin pattern didn’t stand out for me, among the myriad of beautiful yoke sweaters out there, until I saw her version.
I’ll further your confusion: try Wine Dark Sea with Local Honey as the contrasting color. While you think that over, the Big Floral Damask Thing is growling again…I think it’s hungry.
I absolutely love the reds and oranges!
You just keep teasing me…every single day. I STILL have not finished my Granito…what am I to do? I love this sweater so much!!! But I CAN NOT start another project until I’ve finished that other sweater, and all the other things on my needles.
Inkling, local honey, jamberry
Now I want to knit a Birkin. Inkling and local honey would stun I think. And I think dark wine sea with pumpkin would really be a great combo.
Good grief, that rav page was humbling, inspiring, encouraging. My wingeing over too much knitting going on around here is now banished and I hope I can drink in the gestalt of it all as guidance and inspiration. O! Folie du doute! Be gone!
I am still a big fan of the Wine Dark Sea color. Like you, my top two are Inkling and Wine Dark Sea. That being said, of all the possible combinations you posted, I think that Wine Dark Sea and Jamberry would be exquisite together, as I love “close harmony” color play! I can’t wait to see what colors you end up with!
That’s interesting, I don’t feel like I saw a single Birkin at Rhinebeck but a ton of Sunrise Highways.
Be like Ann. Knit 3 or 4 of them in different colors.
I love the Birkin, too. Clare’s version is stunning. But if we’re talking Caitlin Hunter and Backyard Fiberworks, let’s talk about Tegna in Wine Dark Sea. Swoon. 🙂
Inkling and local honey. So regal!
After seeing how your lovely stripe Kaffe Fassett suits you in the photo on the blog, I’m going wineberry. You wear reds very well.
Not that you even mentioned this combination, but Local Honey with Pepper Sprout…like leaves pressed on parchment.
My Thoughts Exactly!
This is a fabulous sweater! Think it would be a good beginner to colorwork sweater for a novice to colorwork?
why not wine dark sea base and Inkling contrast?