Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Bumpity bump bump bump

I have a bit of a backlog of projects to post about.  I don't quite know how this happened, but I'd best get some up here on the blog for posterity!

First up is a new vesty cardigany type thing...
Details
Pattern:  A heavily modified version of Bump by Gina Bonomo. 
Yarn:  4.25 x 100g balls of Rowan Big Wool in Cassis (col 24).  A funny (sort of) story about this yarn.  I bought it a few years ago, maybe 5 years, on sale at a yarn shop in Mittagong (which no longer stocks Rowan yarns).  I had always thought I had 6 balls of it, and so while I was planning what to knit from it, I based my planning on the fact that I had a certain amount of yardage.  And that it's really too hot in Sydney, even in winter, for a long sleeved garment using a super bulky yarn such as this.  So I always figured it would be some sort of vest.

Anyway, I bought this pattern on a bit of a whim, and when I got the yarn out of the depths of the stash cupboard (ok, one of the stash cupboards), I found I had 8 balls of it.  GAAAHHHHH!  It really could have changed my planning entirely.  But by that stage, I was over planning, had bought the pattern, and just wanted to cast on.  So I did.
50g ball of worsted/10ply yarn on left for scale!
And I ended up only using just over half the yarn anyway!!  Now I am trying to decide whether to destash the remainder or keep it for some other project at some time in the future...heh!

Sticks:  12mm and 10mm KnitPicks Options.  It's funny, people think it's really quick to knit garments with superbulky yarn and huge crowbar needles.  But really, it's not that fast!  I mean, the knitting grows quickly, of course, but I find I knit so much slower with such huge sticks.  Nevertheless, I did get a completed vest in a pretty short time!
Hello small hand!
Time:  20 June 2011 - 30 June 2011 (ok, a vest in 10 days, when I was working on other things as well, is pretty quick, isn't it!)

Modifications:  The pattern only gives two sizing options.  I did some extra raglan increases for the armholes (it is knit top down, seamlessly - good for superbulky yarn, to avoid even more super super bulky seams!).  And I did the raglan increases as yarnovers, to give it a bit of a lacey look and also allow some air in (as I was still a bit unsure about whether a vest in this yarn would be too hot for Sydney!). 
I did not do the reverse stocking stitch section on the pattern, which starts just under the bust.  It just didn't really appeal to me.  Instead, I kept increasing on the front edges, and then added a stepped garter edging down the fronts, and around the bottom.  I thought a smoother line would be more flattering in a vest which already adds enough bulk through the yarn.

And I have worn it a few times and have been pleasantly surprised at how cosy but not hot it is to wear.  Yay!  I'm not sure it is the most flattering of garments, but it's red and it's cosy and I like it anyway!

26 comments:

Bells said...

"Ok, one of the stash cupboards" - such a truthful statement!

I think it's very flattering. I like the lacy increases. Good move. And I like the garter hem. For something so bulky (love the scale pic! Thanks for that!) it sits quite flatteringly. Is that a word? Anyway, it's great. Good job.

How much is left over? A nice bulky beret?

kgirlknits said...

The bulky yarn speaks for itself, I think you were right to leave off the rev. St St detail. Looks great on you!

DrK said...

oh hello little hand indeed! i am surprised at how flattering this is IRL, esp for bulky yarn (that doesnt really look that bulky), but i think its because of the mods you made. very clever. and very high on the smoosh factor!

MadMad said...

Oh, I think it's very flattering! And I love the mods you made, too - and that widdle hand, of course!

2paw said...

I love the tiny little hand, so cute!! Your cardi/vest thing is so nice and I think it is very flattering!! I agree, large sized needles are horrid I once used 8mm and it was terrible. I couldn't get a knitting rhythm going at all.

Donna said...

I love it! It's a great use of bulky wool - some of them look so chunky when knit up, but this looks fab!

Donna Lee said...

That would be a perfect transitional garment for our weather here. When it's not cold enough for a full sweater but when you want some added layers. I love the color and I disagree with you. I is flattering. It's a great color and looks neat and comfortable.

Lynne said...

By the look of that small hand, I'd say you're not the only one who likes it (or, at least, touching it!)

Dorothy said...

I think your vest looks fantastic. Red is a good colour for a vest as it goes well with so many other colours.

amy said...

The yarn looks fabulous, but I never know what to do with bulky yarn, much. My sister says my stash isn't balanced because it's mostly fingering and worsted. I like what I like, I guess. ;) It's true, I made my hemlock ring on 9s I think it was, and at first it felt like knitting with logs!

Enjoy wearing it your last few days of cool weather!

Michelle said...

I think it looks great on you! And in 10 days? You can't scoff at that!

Sarah said...

Ooh yes this is luverly - kind of what I was after with my Short Lucky but you've got a great fit with yours - I don't know how you're managing to read books and have a backlog of projects to show - you demon knitter you!

Unknown said...

Love it! I never thought about the issue with bulky yarn being slower. Makes sense.

Virginia G said...

It's cute! And I love the tree closure in the first picture.

Anonymous said...

Well, I was just thinking how nice you looked in it, so it might be flattering... Looks lovely.

I can't knit with superbulky yarn - once the needles get over about 6.5mm they are no fun for me.

We should organise a get together - could Connor nap here?

Gidgetknits said...

Nice and cosy! I love the back view - that really doesn't weigh you down at all.

LynS said...

I've seen you in it. You're wearing it. You must be finding it useful. And, above all, it fits well and looks both smart and comfortable. An all-around excellent project.

Mereknits said...

I may have to make this right this minute,its perfect.
Have a great weekend,
Meredith

yoel said...

This fits you really well and looks so versatile! Great job!

Caffeine Girl said...

I think it is adorable and I would think about giving it a try except there is no way I could handle all the mods you came up with to make it so cute.

(No one who calls herself a writer should write a sentence that long!)

1funkyknitwit said...

This turned out great Jane. I love the colour and it fits you well it's also very practical, I bet it will be well worn. I also love the little ones hand in one if the pic..ahaha too cute !

Love the brooch btw ;D

Alwen said...

Hello, small hand!

It doesn't come off as that bulky, I have to say. I wouldn't have pegged it at that weight if you hadn't said!

Yarny Days said...

This is so cute, and looks very comfy!

Lily said...

Gorgeous! I love the colour and the holes at the arm seam. That brooch is also fabulous.

xx
Lily

Faeryfay said...

Love the vesty cardi!

Ann said...

Looks so good on you - both the color & the pattern. It's a nice cardigan for spring.