My absolute favorite color is green. The perfect green is a true Kelly green, a perfect medium tone of green in all her glory. But honestly, I love green in every shade. So when I was struck by a skein of MJ Yarns in the colorway peacock a few weeks ago I knew it would pair perfectly with a skein of studio worsted from Neighborhood Fiber Co in the colorway Clintonville. And I was right. And I used both these amazing green yarns to make myself a sweater I’m naming Eden, because doesn’t it look like a lush garden in paradise?
Here’s what I have loved lately in finished garments and helped shape what Eden would become, the drape and lightness of dk or light worsted weight yarns knit on larger needles. Once I knit Cracked Pepper I was kind of hooked. So when I pulled out my gorgeous green skeins I decided that I would knit on size 10 needles and make a sweater again without a pattern because I why not? For this sweater I wanted:
- Neckline: I didn’t want a v neck but I didn’t want a crew neck either. I went with a circular yoke sweater again (I love the construction) and started by casting on 96 stitches to give myself a wider neckline. I figured if it was too big I’d tighten it up with a garter stitch border but I loved how the rolled neckline turned out.
- Body: I figured since it’s winter I didn’t want a really fitted sweater, so I did a gradual a-line shape so that it pulled away from the body. It can easily hide my Thanksgiving meal belly. Priorities, folks.
- Sleeves: So I’ve learned that knitted sweaters are super warm but I don’t always want to be that cozy. My preferred length is elbow or three quarter length sleeves. This is just beyond my elbow so if I do wear this to a holiday party I won’t feel like I’m overwhelmingly hot from my sweater.
- Length: I ended up calling the yarn shop and buying the last skein of the Peacock yarn so that I had 3 skeins (215 yards) of it so that I could make this a longer piece and not worry if I had enough for my sleeves. I have a little yarn from both skeins left (the solid was a 400 yard skein) but this would’ve been much shorter if I hadn’t picked up the extra skein. Thanks to my work knitting buddy Lavon for pushing me to pick up that last skein.
I didn’t think I would like the rolled neckline but once I blocked it and put it on I decided I didn’t want to mess with it. It’s clean and simple. I went with a simple circular yoke doing KFB increases that are pretty seamless and blend in with the yarn. I have contemplated embellishing the top half just a little with some green flat back stones. If I do I’ll post about it but right now I love it in its simplicity.
This was also my first time trying MJ Yarns and I love how nicely it worked up. I hope it wears just as nicely. I’m itching to wear this one so hopefully I will wear it to work next week. I’m thoroughly enjoying all of the sweater weather we’re having and wish it would stay cool and breezy like this for the next 3 months and we just skip winter entirely.
So I’ve got another sweater on my needles that I’ve already separated from sleeves that I hope I can get down to the sleeves by Monday (fingers crossed) and then November will mark the beginning of my holiday knits for family!! So what are you working on this weekend?
I know it’s because she believes I am all hers and it doesn’t help that he travels but we’re working on it. We came home on Friday and she had hopped up on the bed and peed on his sweatpants. It doesn’t happen every day but we’re definitely closing off our bedroom door while we’re away. On a more positive note, she’s a total goofball, loves to try to lick Cher (which Cher lets her do for about 30 seconds) and loves playing with toys. Despite peeing on things, we’ll keep her. I do think I’ll have my husband take her to doggy training soon so that maybe the two of them will bond.
