The Sweater Gals

We're sweater proud!

Sweater Gals 2012 at the River Gallery Sculpture Garden.

The women who took my "My First Sweater" workshop celebrated their accomplishments last week with a lunch and outing. The weather was a tad warm for sweaters, but we wore ours with honor all the same.

They treated me to lunch at Tony's Pasta Shop and Trattoria in the Bluff View Art District, downtown Chattanooga. [I'll have my usual, Spaghettini Con Crudo with grilled chicken, thank you very much.] Dessert was at Rembrandt's Coffee House, and then we walked down to the River Gallery Sculpture Garden.

Here are "The Sweater Gals" in their hand-knit Mr. Greenjeans sweaters.

Sharon's Fiery Red raglan.

Left: Pat in her Silver Gray raglan.
Right: Jane chose Capri blue for hers.

Left: Lois likes to push up the sleeves of her Lichen green raglan.
Right: I used a combination of Grenadine, Ecru and Jet Black on mine.

We topped off the outing with a visit to Genuine Purl, a local yarn shop, to peruse the new spring arrivals and find some bargains in the play pen. The store associate did a doule-take when she realized we were all wearing the same sweater.

It was a wonderful afternoon! And, don't their sweaters look fabulous?!?

Sweater Workshop progress--Day 4

The last "My First Sweater" workshop lesson was today. To our pleasant surprise, we were all treated with an embroidered tote bag that was personalized with each of our names. The totes were made by Sharon, one of the participants, and are perfect for any knitting WIP (work in progress). I always say, "You can't have too many projects or too many tote bags!"

The Sweater Gals (from left): Sharon, Lois, Jane and Pat.

Here is the progress made on each of their versions of the Mr. Greenjeans sweater. The cabled ribbing is textural and quite striking knit with this multi-ply yarn (Fibra Natura Sensational). Several students commented on how easy and wonderful the yarn was to work with.

They all enjoyed working with this sweater pattern. Several techniques were introduced to the first-time sweater knitter that could be mastered with a little confidence and perseverance. 

The pattern offered a challenge and held one's interest without being overly complex. If a mistake occurred along the way (we all know this can happen), it was not difficult to correct.

A 2 x 2 rib shawl collar will be added to cascade down the sweater front. The hunt for a single or multiple buttons is underway. 

The WIP shown below is mine. My students have all surpassed me on the progress. When the sweaters are complete, we'll be headed out to lunch to show them off. I can't wait to see the final outcomes. 

Beginning Knitting class starts tomorrow evening. Here's hoping there will be future sweater knitters in this class.

Sweater Workshop progress--Day 3

The sweater knitting continues... This one is in Fibra Natura Sensational color #40839, silver gray.

One thing nice about knitting a top-down sweater is that you can try on as you go; and deviate where necessary. Like cooking, you add a little here... taste... add a little more... taste... until the soup is just right. So, here is the continuing progress of the Mr. Greenjeans sweaters. Some of the knitters have gotten past the dividing row and are able to try their sweater on.

 

You go, girls!

Sweater Workshop progress--Day 2

China checks out my sweater.

Even though there are no "Knitting Police," there are definitely Knitting Inspectors and Fabric Testers. The Inspectors have been monitoring the progress of the Mr. Greenjeans sweater projects.

Here is my progress for the second day (days are not necessarily consecutive). I have about two more 6-row repeats before I get to the dividing row (where the sleeve stitches are put onto waste yarn). I need one more episode of Harry's Law to get to that point.

Lois is using the color #40805 Lichen (Fibra Natura Sensational) for her sweater. This is a gorgeous color! She has already gotten to the dividing row.

Lois is using Fibra Natura Sensational in color Lichen.

Lois' Knitting Inspector has approved her work.

Sweater Workshop progress--Day 1

After a full session of number crunching—horizontal and vertical measurements of the Mr. Greenjeans sweater pattern—my Sweater Workshop students were chomping at the Cast On edge to get started on the real thing. The next session is in two weeks so I thought I'd keep a visual diary on my sweater's progress. Here is the first day's progress.

Mr. Greenjeans Sweater; top-down construction with raglan shaping.

Day 1: Cast on. Begin the 6 row sequence (marked with split stitch markers). Yarn: Fibra Natura Sensational, color: Anemone.

One stitch double increase at raglan sleeve lines.

I've changed the pattern's raglan increase stitch [yo, k2, yo] to something less lacy. My double increase is  [k1, k1b, k1] all in the same seam stitch. I did a bit of adjusting on the placement of the increases as the pattern's double increase occurs across 4 sts while mine uses 1. 

Swatching for Sweater Workshop

Why do we make a gauge swatch when we knit? Well, in the words of knitwear designer, author, teacher and Trendsetter Yarns company owner, Barry Klein, "If you don't swatch, you get what you deserve if your garment doesn't fit."  'Nuff said?

Stockinette and cable pattern swatches for my First Sweater knitting workshop.

After taking body and Favorite Sweater measurements in our first class session, my First Sweater workshop students are busy knitting swatches this week in preparation for the long anticipated sweater cast-on. The pattern, Mr. Greenjeans by Amy Swenson, calls for two swatches—one in stockinette for the main portion of the sweater, and the other in a cable rib pattern that is used on the cuffs and lower bodice.

Workshop project: the Mr. Greenjeans raglan cardigan in Fibra Natura Sensational.

We're using Fibra Natura Sensational superwash yarn for the project. The colors they all chose are gorgeous. After a "Pattern vs. Me" assessment in our next session, we'll begin.

Knit your First Sweater Workshop

Are you ready to tackle your first hand knit sweater? This workshop is for you.

 This slightly-cropped raglan cardigan features a single button closure, a cable ribbing and an eyelet detail at the sleeve line. Techniques covered in this workshop include a top-down seamless construction, raglan sleeves and knitting cables without a cable needle, plus discussions on measurements and fitting.

The workshop will meet for 3 sessions starting January 9, 2012. The workshop fee is $55 plus the cost of the yarn. The a pattern and handouts are included with the workshop. We'll be using Fibra Natura Sensational, a 100% superwash merino wool for the project. The sample shown here has stripes, however workshop participants will be making a single yarn (solid or variegated) version.

Please contact me at veronicaquilts@gmail.com for more details, to register and order your yarn supplies. Space is limited.