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May 16, 2006
Green!
That lovely green yarn from Sundara Yarn is growing up to be an Hourglass from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Green is a color I don't tend to choose for yarn, but I like green and I'm trying to be better about knitting with colors that actually look good on me. Novel concept, I know. I talked to Purly about which green and we finally decided on this lovely olive green (it's #037 if you were wondering)
As you can see, I'm not very far on it. I knit the hem and knit that together with the body and I've done about 7 rows after that. Not much, but I think it will grow quickly. I debated on what to do for the hem. I've read about the hem flaring out and being stiff and generally being the least favorite part of the whole process. I thought about just skipping it, but then I found some instructions in the Knitter's Handbook. It suggests you knit the hem facing with 10% fewer stitches than the sweater itself and then increase to the proper number of stitches the row before the turning row. You use a provisional cast-on and then knit the hem facing stitches together with the sweater body stitches after you've worked the same number of rows as the hem facing. I've never knit a hem like that, but it makes a lot of sense, so I tried it. We'll have to wait to see how it looks when I get a bit more done on the body.
Comments
Oooh, very pretty color! I think it would look wonderful on you. Glad that you figured out a hem that works well!
Posted by: caitlyn at May 16, 2006 2:07 PM
Sounds like good advice. The green is pretty even though I'm not a fan of green.
Posted by: margene at May 16, 2006 2:24 PM
Wow, that color looks so different on your blog than on the Sundara site. I love it as the Hourglass! That green is such a wonderful color. So earthy and calm.
Posted by: Janet at May 16, 2006 2:36 PM
Gosh, I can't get over how pretty Purly's yarn is! I'm sure it is even more beautiful in person. I love the slight color variation in the green.
That sounds like a good idea for the hem. Hopefully it will turn out perfectly for you. And, apparently there still *is* one useful knitting book that I don't own... who would have thought? I am going to have to fix that! ;)
Posted by: Cyndi at May 16, 2006 2:44 PM
Don't let her fool you! Steph basically gave me free reign with the color and this is what I wanted her to knit. Heh. So I am to blame if she hates it or it looks terrible on her.
Your knitting is gorgeous! That hem sounds like what the instructions are for the Union Square Market Pullover hem. Not that I'm anywhere near finishing the hem, but it does seem nice. It's an elegant construction.
Posted by: Purly Whites at May 16, 2006 2:54 PM
Gorgeous! It's funny how you can just tell by looking at it that that yarn is awesome to knit with.
Posted by: stephanie at May 16, 2006 3:08 PM
The yarn is so pretty and I'm sure it'll make a great Hourglass sweater. The color is great - you and Purly did a great job picking it out!
Posted by: mari at May 16, 2006 3:08 PM
Yeah, that sounds like it make sense. Bet it'll look fine.
You're lucky you can wear green! I love green, but I look positively sick when I wear it. I have to wear it judiciously, in little spurts.
Posted by: Katherine at May 16, 2006 3:13 PM
It's gonna be very purdy! I think you'll find that hem to work well for you...
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool at May 16, 2006 3:14 PM
the color is absolutely lovely. i've got brooks farm four play percolating the stash for an hourglass one of these days, maybe it'll be a summer knit.
Posted by: anne at May 16, 2006 3:26 PM
That looks awesome so far. I guess I'm a weirdo because I thought the hem was fun! I'll have to check out the method you used though. I just cast on regularly and picked up a loop on the cast on edge and knit it with the stich on the need to do the hem.
Posted by: Angela at May 16, 2006 4:39 PM
That yarn is gorgeous! I couldn't see all the color variations when it was in the skein. You should talk to Lolly about that pattern, I know she had some problems with it. Also check the purlsoho site for errata - I think there are lots of typos in that book.
Posted by: Zarah at May 16, 2006 5:11 PM
I really like those colors. I have thought about doing that pattern myself. I'll keep my eye on yours until I finalize my plans!
Posted by: Stephanie at May 16, 2006 5:17 PM
Ooh I love your new wool. Green is a favourite of mine to knit with, but alas I do not seem to be using this color very much at the moment. I love your Amy Butler bag, very nice.
Posted by: Sue at May 16, 2006 7:36 PM
That Montse is a wise woman, and I think following her suggestion - 10% fewer stitches in the hem - makes a whole lot of sense!
Posted by: grumperina at May 16, 2006 8:40 PM
What a nice shade of grade. The flecks of paler color in it are really cool; it gives it a slightly camo look. (I'm big on camo fabric right now.)
I've worked those kinds of hems before and they look great in a finished garment. Montse is my knitting hero.
Posted by: Becky at May 16, 2006 10:53 PM
I've heard so many good things about Sundara yarn... you're starting to convince me to whip out the credit card! The green you've chosen looks beautiful, and very wearable.
Posted by: Carolyn at May 17, 2006 6:20 AM
Huh...that would have made the whole hem experiance a bit nicer. I really should read those reference book things that I own. Love the color, it will look wonderful on you.
Posted by: Leanne at May 17, 2006 9:37 AM
I've used that hem method and it works way better than the alternative. I think you'll dig it.
and holy crap i love that green.
Posted by: j a r e d at May 17, 2006 11:24 AM
That's a really pretty green :-) Thanks for sharing the hem tip, I have stored it away for when I start my hourglass.
Posted by: Areli at May 18, 2006 10:20 PM
