Finally, I have a finished project to share with you all! It’s about time.
This is my latest sweater, with the delicate name of So Neat and Sweet in her Simple V-Necked Jersey (pattern link on Ravelry, my project page on Ravelry). It’s from A Stitch in Time Volume 2. Now I know all of you other vintage knitters out there know about this fabulous book by Susan Crawford, of course. But I can’t reiterate enough how lovely her books and patterns are, if you’re not familiar with her!
This was knit in Quince and Co. Finch, a 100% American wool (sourced and spun here). I just loved knitting with it. It’s not superwash (so hand wash only), but is very soft and springy with a tight twist and is very lightweight to wear. I see lots and lots of projects in this yarn in my future. (In fact, my languishing Vintage Knitting College colorwork pullover is in the same yarn.)
I started this pullover the last day of February, but was so caught up in packing and moving, I didn’t finish it until Friday. The body pieces flew by, but knitting both sleeves at the same time seemed to drag on. (Of course it didn’t help that I didn’t actually knit at all for over a month, being too busy and brain dead to do so.)
This was a pullover I really enjoyed knitting. You’re in for the long haul when you knit a long-sleeved sweater in fingering weight (4 ply) yarn with an allover stitch pattern, so you better enjoy the journey. And I did! The stitch pattern was over 6 rows and was actually quite easy to memorize, which made it a good project to knit on the go.
As I’m sure you know by now I love to tinker with patterns, however I knit this exactly as written. I only made two changes: (1) I knit the smallest size, for size 30-32″ bust, which actually measures 35 1/2″. That gave me 1/2″ negative ease across the bust instead of positive ease. (2) I knit a couple of extra repeats of the pattern in the sleeve caps because my rows are always short.
I wouldn’t call this an easy pattern for a beginner. While the stitch pattern and shaping is quite simple, actually decreasing in pattern can be a bit tough, even if you’re used to it. I knit the back first and then decided I’d prefer my armhole decrease stitches to be in purl, so that’s what I did for the front. (No one will ever see the back and front of my armpit at the same time so I wasn’t going to rip back to re-knit the back. So there.)
It really came out just like the original!
{Source: A Stitch In Time Volume 2, © Susan Crawford}
I’m a sucker for little details, and love how a line in the rib pattern flows down from the center of the sleeve cap at the shoulder seam, as well as in the center of the v-neck. Wonderful symmetry.
Usually, I would use mattress stitch to attach a neckband, however I followed Susan’s instructions to use a flat slip stitch (described in the book), and I like the result. It was a good way to match up the decreasing neckline edge with the edge of the garter stitch band (which I think is more fiddly to deal with than a stockinette edge).
Needless to say, I’m over the moon about this pullover! And since I’ve decided yellow is my new neutral (not that I ever had a neutral before), I know I’m going to get a ton of wear out of this.
Now, what shall my next vintage knit be?? Something from a vintage booklet? Or something from volume 1? I just can’t decide!
Lovely! I hadn’t thought much of this pattern when I saw it in the book, but it looks amazing in yellow!!
Oh, yummy! I agree that this color is fabulous on you. I’m currently knitting from this book too! Really all of the patterns are so lovely.
P.S. Love your bracelet too!
It looks great. I like the pattern with a bit of negative ease and the yellow looks lovely on you.
Beautiful! You did a fantastic job. And those books are definitely on my wishlist.
Another fantastic job, that’s the one thing I can’t find are cute vintage sweaters, you have the best collection and bonus you make them!
This is gorgeous – I love this book, so many beautiful designs and you have made this one fabulously! I am currently working on one from the first book “Such a Debonair Jumper” – I recommend this one it is knitting up beautifully and the pattern is easy to remember.
Wow, this is just gorgeous. You are making me feel guilty about a sweater that I started last October . . . hmm, I should find it and start knitting again. By the way, I am really like the hair, I know you were going through a hair funk a little while back, and I think it looks just lovely.
Oooh! I love the detail with the shoulder seam and the rib as well. Lovely!
Oooh! I adore that shoulder seam detail as well. What a beautiful sweater!
This makes me want to improve my knitting skills… I have a stash of vintage needlework magazines but I am really a crocheter at heart! I think that you should knit something short sleeved for the summer.
Wow – that jumper is just fantastic – the colour is great too! Also – how pretty are those earrings your wearing!
GOREGOUS! Love the colour, which really makes the stitch pattern pop! It looks lovely on you!
It. Is. STUNNING!!!
I’m knitting the Jan sweater in yellow at the moment. Most of my latest buys are yellow, but I don’t know why.
It’s such a great book. I love your sweater and instantly looked at the pattern.
My knitting skills aren’t up to that yet.
Just need to get my head round that K1,P1,K1 into next stitch 😉
Wow, this is amazing Tasha, and it certainly lives up to the title of the pattern too! I don’t think I could contemplate knitting such a fine sweater with an all-over pattern, so am just marvelling at your fine knitting skills.
Wow, that is so cute!
Oh how fabulous! I adore the colour and the pattern- A super bit of knitting you have done there! I haven’t bought the second volume yet as its too pricey for me at the moment 🙁 And I too have finally finished a project, which I’m sure will be on the blog once all the ends have been sewn in and buttons put on…. ok so really it isn’t finished, but I’m sure you know what I mean!
tupney x
Oh how fabulous! I adore the colour and the pattern- A super bit of knitting you have done there! I haven’t bought the second volume yet as its too pricey for me at the moment 🙁 And I too have finally finished a project, which I’m sure will be on the blog once all the ends have been sewn in and buttons put on…. ok so really it isn’t finished, but I’m sure you know what I mean!
tupney x
So pretty! And I love the colour. I am in constant awe of your knitting skillz.
So pretty! I envy yyou your skills!
Wow that is great. You are very talented! I have only done a few knitting projeccs and they took me a long time, so it seems to me like you really whipped this sweater out quickly.
I have been totally bad about commenting this spring, but am trying to do a bit of catching up and commenting! 😉 I had to tell you how pretty this sweater is! The color really suits you, and the style is gorgeous. I’m loving that you used the Quince and Co. yarn to; some of their yarns are on my wishlist. 😀 Can’t wait to see other outfits you wear it with!
Oh, and I got SiT v. 1 for my birthday, and I cannot wait to dig in to some of the reworked patterns (since all I have is access to the original book, which only has reprints of the original vintage patterns, and no modern reworked sizing).
What a pretty sweater! And that color just suits you perfectly. I have been pining over those Stitch In Time books for a hot minute now, but they’re currently way to far out of my budget and the library doesn’t have them (not even on the interlibrary loan, boooo). So I wait and oogle everyone else’s finished projects 😀
That is SO beautiful! It is exactly the colour I am dreaming of at the moment and the pattern details are so much more evident in your pictures than in the book. And yet another knitter saying she loves Quince and Co – how much longer can I resist?
Beautiful! And such a pretty, sunny color. I looovvee the Stitch in Time books. I have Vol. 1, but haven’t gotten around to purchasing vol. 2 yet. I’m going to have to move it up on my wish list 😉
Hey, you did a great job! That must have been so much work to do because it’s such a thin wool. But I think you loved doing it. I think knitting is so meditative. It lets you calm down. Best wishes!
YAY! Yellow should be your new neutral, but you look great in red too. I wish I could rock yellow like you do.
Your sweater looks like a work of art; so clean and nicely finished. It’s really lovely-amazing-fabulous. 🙂 Makes me want to pick up my needles again.
I’m ever so jealous of your knitting prowess!! This looks amazing, and I adore the color on you. I wish I had the patience to really become good at knitting.
xo,
Em
Wow, perfection! It looks lovely on you.
That looks very lovely on you! I really need to get that book.
Beautiful! I love that color on you!
Makes me wish I knew more beyond the basic knit stitch.
Love it! The neckline is really nice too. I like the thick v-neck.
I think yours looks even better than the original! What a great color. You knitters astound me with your skills!
It turned out great! I must get the 2nd book someday! 🙂
WOWOWOW! Love the colour you’ve chosen! Adore your lip and nail hue, too!
Love it 😀
What a wonderfully bright, cheerful hue you opted for. I love pieces like this for the instant punch of happiness they can bring to even the grayest days. Marvelous job on this swear, dear gal, it turned out splendidly and looks cute as a button on you.
Wishing you a stellar Thursday,
♥ Jessica
That sweater is AWESOME!!!! And I LOVE that color!!! Great job!
The color is amazing! And it looks fabulous on you! So jealous – I can not re-capture my crafting mojo for the life of me 🙁
Thank you everyone, so, SO much! ♥ ♥
it’s absolutely fantastic!
fantastic, I’m in love with it!!! I’ll definitely follow you 🙂
it turned out really beautifully! that color is so good on you!
You honest to god are amazing
India
X
Your honest to god amazing …
India
X
Beautiful work. And you look just like my mum… back in the day… 🙂
Lovely work! And you look just like my mum… back in the day…