Monday, October 16, 2006

Rare Breed Sweater Swatches

Over the weekend I started working on some swatches for my rare breed sweater.

I have two sets of rare breed yarns to work with, one light and one dark.

The body of the sweater will be Ryeland yarn in natural white. My dark rare breed yarns will work with this:

Naturally dark colored rare breed yarns.From left they are: Ryeland (white), Manx Loghtan, Hebridean, Shetland, Lincoln, Soay, Jacob, and 2 colors of Navajo Churro.

I also have quite a few white and light color rare breed yarns. As a background for these, I dyed some of the Ryeland green:

Light rare breed yarns in natural colors.From left, these are: Ryeland (green), Teeswater, Wensleydale, Tunis, White Faced Woodland, North Ronaldsay, Leicester Longwool, Cotswold, and Karakul.

Using this motif, which measures 16 by 16 stitches, I will have enough different types of yarns for 2 rows of sheep on the body of the sweater.

This is a sketch of the design idea I'm considering:

Leigh's sketch for her rare breed sweater.My plan is to knit a cardigan so this view is from the back. I have some dark blue Hog Island yarn which I plan to use for the seeding pattern and as an accent in the transition pattern between the stripes of sheep.

It's been this transition I'm working on at the moment. So I've been knitting strips to experiment with possibilities:

I haven't decided which I like best. Perhaps I'll knit a few more. I tend to want something simple.


I'd like to be able to say I'll finish the sweater this winter, but I know myself too well. I'm pretty much an "all thumbs" knitter and so tend to knit slowly. I'm usually good for one sweater or vest and several pairs of socks each year. And with the kids in college our lives have changed. In the winter my knitting time used to be in the evenings, when we would read aloud rather than watch TV. Our favorite books then were the Little House series, the Ralph Moody series, Watership Down, and Rascal by Sterling North.

So with the daylight hours dwindling and long evenings of dark ahead, perhaps a trip to the library for a good book on CD is in order. Any suggestions?

© 2006 Leigh's Fiber Journal

Related Posts:
Winter Knitting Project
TA-DAH! Rare Breed Sweater Done!

4 comments:

CygKnit said...

Your swatches and samples are just beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing your progress--at whatever your pace.

As for audio, I've been working my way through all the classics that I have always wanted to read, but never find the time for. While Moby Dick on audio is a...challenge, I've enjoyed many others I wouldn't have read otherwise.

Jackie said...

Your sweater is going to beautiful. I like the first pattern the best. It sort of looks like fat sheep that are surprised , or in a strong wind with their ears flying. LOL

Good Kharma Bunny said...

Just to help you out I like the one on the right, so we all like a different one!
the decision is still yours!
al x

junior_goddess said...

YAY! Let's hear it for 60126 and the hospital on St. Charles Road! My little brother was born there. I'll be checking back on the sheep!