Back in March when I met Rochelle in D.C., I bought some yarn at Fibre Space, a great yarn shop in Alexandria, Virginia. I was mainly intending to window shop and enable help Rochelle pick some yarn, but then I saw a pattern booklet with the pullover Vashon on the cover, and suddenly it was absolutely imperative that I knit myself a chunky cabled pullover for our trip to Ireland in the spring.
Except as the temperatures at home started to warm up a bit, I started to cool on the project, and put it down for several months. But I picked it up again recently and now I have my chunky cabled pullover! Just a bit later than planned.
I made a few changes from the original pattern: I knit the body in the round to the armpits, I lengthened the body to a hair under 12″, and I gave it a crew neck instead of the not-really-a-funnel-neck-I-don’t-know-what-it-is that the original pattern has.
You can see the original below:
Source: Vashon pullover, © Berroco
You’ll also notice I knit full-length sleeves. Because a bulky weight cardigan full of cables? Why in the hell would I want 3/4-length sleeves? Answer: I would not.
I also knit the sleeves from the top down, but I often do that. A bit fussy to get them started with all the cables, but well worth it in the end to have a seamless knit (except for the three-needle bind off on the shoulders) in such a heavy yarn, which was a concern I had about setting in sleeves and knitting the whole thing flat.
And I love the way the sleeves looks! I almost lazed out and knit them plain, but I’m so glad I went for the design.
I knit the pullover to give me a little less than 3″ of negative ease at the full bust. Initially, I started in on size 9 needles and was getting gauge, but the fabric it was producing was awful and too stretchy. I went down to 7s and was much happier. The negative ease helps make this not feel too bulky and awkward since it’s a lot of cables and a somewhat heavy weight yarn.
The yarn is Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Chunky in the colorway Penn North. I wanted a vibrant color that wasn’t too out there for a rather traditional looking aran-inspired pullover, so yellow was perfect. As you know I think of yellow as my neutral so it goes with nearly anything, in my book. (Apparently including the woods.)
I paired this pullover with a skirt I whipped up last week, based on the same skirt from the 40s dress pattern I used for my Can-Can skirt, although it’s busy enough and the lighting was crazy enough that you can’t really tell. This time it’s about 2″ longer overall, and not that you can see it, but I lined it in red rayon bemberg to prevent it from clinging to my knees when worn with tights or leggings.
I’m not usually a big fan of lined skirts or dresses (much prefer to wear a slip), but I thought I’d give it a whirl to see what I thought. And it’s still not resolved! Argh. The first time it was too long (about 1″ shorter than the skirt) and you could see it whenever I sat down, so I chopped off the hem and re-hemmed it a bit shorter (about 3″ shorter than the skirt). Now it’s short enough that it catches on my tights, which was the whole reason I lined it in the first place. Soooo I may need to rip out the lining hem and let it down a tiny bit, after all that.
The fabric is a somewhat lightweight Japanese cotton from Lecien. I mean really, polka dots and flowers? Sign me up. It has a very Cath Kidston vibe to me. When I pulled out a stack of potential fabric last week, Mel voted for this one. I really love this print, and I suspect I’ll be wearing the skirt with lots of layers and warm footwear to keep it appropriate as the temperatures dip.
Like wearing it with my new boots, courtesy of the amazing folks at Sven Clogs. These are the most perfect addition to my wardrobe for fall and winter, I can’t even contain my excitement!
They’re shearling lined, which is a real necessity for me when it starts to get bitter cold. (We’re not there yet, but we will be.) I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit I usually spend a lot of winter in Uggs but seriously, I refuse to let my feet suffer (well, much) for fashion when it’s that cold! And winter here is some serious business. And my feet get cold easily. So there you go.
Now I have a much cuter alternative! My favorite style of shoe (you know I’m a sucker for clogs) but in a winter boot? Yessssss.
For reference, these are the 8″ tall ones with the medium clog heel in brown (you can pick natural, brown or black), with black leather and black shearling. And the bottom strap is removable. I can’t even express how much I adore these. I’m pretty much never going to take them off for the next several months. Admittedly it was a little warm when Mel took these photos, but I know they’ll get a ton of wear soon enough! The folks at Sven are the best.
Now back to knitting. Here’s a secret: I tend to knit a lot of cardigans because I can never quite figure out how to wear pullovers. I’m forever trying them on with skirts or over dresses and thinking “meh”. So I wear them with jeans instead. Time and time again. Which has gotten really old.
Turns out all I needed to do was wear them with a slightly shorter hemline. Because I’m such a shortie, it’s easy for me to feel overwhelmed by clothing, even in heels (which obviously lengthen your leg line). Somehow I was always left feeling a bit poorly proportioned in a below-knee skirt and a pullover. I know plenty of shorter women don’t have an issue with this, but for me, it never seemed like it was working.
But a couple of inches shorter was enough to hit a skirt-to-pullover ratio that I feel really good in! So I may head back to pullovers soon. (Well, once I finish the two cardigans I have going…)
Anyway, it was a glorious day to tromp around in the woods. Not the best choice to photograph a yellow pullover when the leaves are falling, but c’est la vie.
At this point, I’m feeling pretty happy with fall. Though I’ll be singing a different tune in two months, at least I’ll be armed with a thick pullover and cute, warm boots. Are you feeling prepared this fall?
outfit details
Vashon pullover: made by me (Ravelry project page)
skirt: made by me
fakelite lobster ring: misc.
red lucite earrings: Leetie Lovendale
boots: courtesy of Sven Clogs
This is so cute! I so wish I could wear yellow–it looks so fab on you, and I love that skirt! As for lining. My favorite way to line a skirt (admittedly not the “right” way) is to make the lining, attach at the waistband, and then tuck the bottom into the hem before hand sewing the hem. This only works when hand-sewing the hem, obvs, but it does prevent lining creep, and still obviates the need for a slip. I’m on the fence about linings too, actually. I don’t mind wearing a slip, and sometimes find lining more pesky than it is worth to make one, but I do tend to like the finished product better (enclosed seams and all that), so I’m trying to remind myself to take my time and make a nice end product.
Thanks, Juliana! Well you’re not even the only commenter to mention finishing a hem with a lining that way, so sounds legit to me. 😉 I may have to give this a try in the future!
Tasha!! What a beautiful Sweater!! Great colors! I hope you weren’t to warm, what an awesome day!
I love the warm colors of the fallen leaves and you make our clog boots look wonderful!
Thanks so much, Lisa! It was a beautiful day to be out and enjoying the turning leaves in my new boots! 😉
Amazing work on this pullover! It looks great on you!!
Thank you, I really love it!
the pullover looks really great. i love yellow clothes and the patern… wow great work
Thanks! 🙂
I love this yellow! It’s going to be refreshing to reach for a sunny sweater in the dull dark grey of winter.
Isn’t that the truth! I know that’s why in the spring, I started both a yellow pullover and a yellow cardigan (which I’m now working on again). Anything to get us through the darker (literally) months!
Love colour and style – the neckline and sleeve length are much more to my taste than the original pattern cover. Just perfect for autumn!
Thank you! Yes, it did turn out to be just perfect for autumn, even if it wasn’t ready in spring for our trip! 😉
Loving the colour combinations. Great jumper
Thank you!
The sweater is SO beautiful and I like the modifications you made for the pattern. The sleeves are my favorite part 🙂
Aw thanks, Erin! I think the sleeves are my favorite part, too! 😀
You’re so dang cute! Loooovvee the rich yellow of your fab pullover. I’m so going to steal this look being that I too am a shorty and felt the same about the ratio. Now armed with this hemline info I will be ready for fall! Thank you!
Thanks! I hope it works for you. I was surprised that trying out a shorter hemline in general would lead to a completely different revelation about pullovers– you learn something every day!
This is so pretty! I loved the stitch pattern when I first saw this design, but was turned off by the neckline. Glad to see it’s possible to change it up!
Thanks so much! I agree about the neckline. But a rounder neck always feels more wearable to me! 🙂
Wow!! Your sweater is so lovely – just like liquid sunshine!
I love that way to describe it, you’re right!
Your jumper is lovely! I think the alterations you made make it look much nicer than the original too ^___^ I have difficulty wearing jumpers because I have such a short torso, but if they are not too chunky I just tuck them into my skirt. I really must bite the bullet one day and knit a jumper but I’m just so concerned I won’t like it once it’s done and all that work would go to waste!
Yes, I did forget to mention in this post but I’ve mentioned it before, I have a short torso as well, so that definitely comes into play. You could always knit a cardigan and wear it buttoned up, to see if you liked the fit/look, before doing a pullover. 🙂
Oh, what a gorgeous outfit! I love the colours together, so cheerful and happy and pretty. 🙂
Thanks so much! I’ll be grateful for the cheery color soon…well I love yellow any day, lol. 😉
Oh my gosh I love this jumper! Added to my Ravelry queue right away! Totally agreeing with your comment on the sleeves, I just don’t get those short and 3/4 sleeves lengths for chunky jumpers. Yes, it looks cute, but it’s so unpractical! I really, really like the boots too, too bad they are way out of my price range 🙁
Agreed, I love the line of shorter sleeves, but with such a thick pullover, if it’s cold enough to warrant wearing it, my arms will be chilly! And the boots are definitely a save–up-for item, to be sure. They also do have closeouts and sales on their site including boots, so a good thing to keep an eye on. 😉
Tasha, these pictures came out beautifully! I’m always impressed with how wearable and professional your knitting projects are. This pullover is gorgeous and fits you perfectly! And I’m glad to hear you figured out a way to wear it that makes you feel comfortable.
As for the skirt, I always line my skirts and dresses with Bemberg rayon, and I always attach the lining hem to the skirt hem to prevent the lining from peeking out. It gives slightly more heft to the drape of the skirt, but it’s great at preventing static and keeping the lining hidden from view.
Thanks so much, really nice of you to day! And you’re the second person to recommend lining in that way. I’ll have to give it a try. I feel like it’ll be a slippery mess trying to get the shell and lining to play together in the hem, but worst case I can just hem them separately in the end. 🙂
Vashon! I bought that same booklet at Fiber Space when I lived in DC over 4 years ago, and you’re reminding me that I’ve always intended to make one. I agree that the shorter hemline makes pullovers much more wearable, and it’s a silhouette I’m learning to embrace with jeans as well as dresses. Great outfit, totally inspiring me!
Thanks! And how funny that we bought the booklet at the same place! 🙂
Those clog boots look like some genius put them together and said “Voila!” a shoe your feet AND soul will adore! Now that doesn’t happen very often… Gorgeous!
But your pullover is seriously sweet. I’ve done chunky wool cables in a cardigan, and yes. It looks overwhelming and well ~ fat. Not really a success story, plus the knitting stretched I think? I will take note about the negative ease! Should’ve knitted a size down or something. ♡
xox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill
What a great way to describe the boots! And thanks for the compliments on the knit. Sorry your experience with heavier wool and cables didn’t work out as well. It was definitely a bit of trial and error to get it right. 🙂
Yes!!! I’ve been waiting for the reveal of this one!! Weeeee! It’s so exciting for me (and probably you lol. obviously) to see something go from “Oh Rochelle, what do you think of this color?” to OMG AWESOME FINISHED SWEATER! It’s so cool. Also, love the dress and the boots!