Category: orange

I know, I know. I start a knitalong and then take on a test knit in between but that’s also the reason why I don’t have a deadline on the knitalong – we all get distracted! And this time I was distracted by a really good project, the La Briohème cardigan by Knit Graffiti (my Ravelry project page).

Let’s consider this my virtual Rhinebeck sweater because if I was going this weekend (I am not) I would totally be wearing this. I jumped on the chance to test knit this one for a couple of reasons – I love brioche and have wanted a brioche cardigan that wasn’t completely brioche and overwhelmingly hot, I like Knit Graffiti’s patterns so I was happy to test knit AND I had the yarn I needed in my stash. It was a perfect storm. Since brioche knitting is double sided it creates a super warm fabric. To have a full brioche sweater would be a bit suffocatingly warm, I think, but this is a perfect balance.

The closest I could get to you seeing the true vividness of this color was to try and photograph this in the shade. I used Knit Picks Mighty Stitch worsted in the color Conch (a really vivid coral – and all Mighty Stitch is on sale for the month of October) and Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in Clue Board from 1985, a wonderful mix of blues, greens, corals and pinks. I pulled this color combo together by chance. I was putting yarn combos together with the quantities I needed and seeing what worked. I loved the brightness and I love blues and peaches together so I went with it. It’s got orange, blue, green, pink…all the colors I like to wear. And the Mighty Stitch yarn is so soft and cozy ya’ll. Added bonus, I blocked this by putting it in the washing machine on gentle cycle with cold water and it held up beautifully. I know some people absolutely hate yarns with acrylic in them like Mighty Stitch but it’s affordable and perfect for my climate. In short, knit with what you love and forget what anyone else says. Okay, back to the sweater.

I will admit, it isn’t a perfectly executed knit on my part. I made a couple of mistakes with my brioche but honestly that was my fault for working when I was getting sleepy, or drinking a little wine, or because a dog stepped on my stitches and that created a bit of a mess. But with brioche I feel like it hides those tiny mistakes and still looks pretty awesome. Also, how else would you know it was hand knit if it didn’t have a mistake or two? It’s still good enough for me to wear and wear it I will!

And if you’re curious here is the entire look, pretty typical layers for this time of year. And of course I pair a bright sweater with bright pants and metallic shoes (they’re Bryr clogs, Sophie with the kilt in rose gold). But I can also throw this on with jeans or a skirt too. It’ll be a fun pop in my wardrobe. So anyone else interested in giving this knit a try? I can already see myself making a darker version in grey with neon brioche!