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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Shetland Sampler Cardigan Complete!

By Leigh

I'm delighted to announce that at long last it's done! 

I'm pleased with how it turned out.It's the best fitting sweater I've ever made for myself.

Project Particulars:

Fiber - Shetland, both American and British, from both fleece and roving. I had a total of 20 samples to work with and I have several people to thank for this:
  • Cathy, who donated a lot of fleece, both locally obtained and from Riverbend Farm.
  • Tina, who donated some of her own.
  • Sharon, who did the same.
  • Mim, from whom I got a sample via Sharon!
Yarn - 2-ply handspun measuring 16- 18 WPI. Photos of all 20 can be seen at this page of my Fiber Gallery. If you click the links under the photos, they will take you to blog posts with photos of the raw fleece and spinning details for most.

Sweater Pattern - Measurements were copied from my Rare Breed Sweater, with an adjustment made for the neckline. Though technically not true Fair Isle knitting, I did use a Fair Isle Stitch Pattern.

Stitch Design - From Anne Field's "Dyepot Fairisle Sweater," The Ashford Book of Spinning, pages 98 - 99. This required calculating yarn amounts for the color rows, details on how I did that here.

Knitting Details -
  • Gauge - 6 stitches/inch and 8 rows/inch
  • Technique - stranded knitting in the round
  • Needle size - US 2 circular for sweater body and sleeves, US 0 for K2P2 ribbing
Techniques Used -
I started the spinning for this project in June 2007. Swatching started in January 2008. I took my time and did not do any knitting during the heat of summer. I also set it aside at times to ponder various things I needed to figure out or calculate. Does it seem like it took that long? I can't tell. I lose track of time with a project like this. But I've learned a lot and I'm very happy with the outcome.

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38 comments:

  1. MiniKatMarch 18, 2009 at 12:05 AM

    Your sweater is fantastic! Is Catzee as impressed as she looks? I know I am impressed. Greatly impressed.

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  2. TraceyMarch 18, 2009 at 1:59 AM

    Wow, great job, it's just lovely.

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  3. GeodyneMarch 18, 2009 at 2:57 AM

    Leigh, it's absolutely stunning! It definitely looks as though it deserves the work and thought put into it.

    I love the photos. Such a sense of fun. :)

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  4. charlotteMarch 18, 2009 at 3:10 AM

    This is absolutely amazing, and which enormous job it must have been!

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  5. Spindlers2March 18, 2009 at 4:27 AM

    Leigh, it is just lovely! A beautiful poece of work. So nice to see a picture of you, too - but only half a cat? :)

    Carol

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  6. TheresaMarch 18, 2009 at 6:15 AM

    It's just beautiful and it looks like it fits perfectly.
    Inspiring.

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  7. LeighMarch 18, 2009 at 6:32 AM

    Ah yes, only half a cat. Such is the joy of trying to photograph oneself with a timer and a tripod. She was a volunteer cat after all. Actually her interest was more along the lines of "what in the world are you doing while I'm trying to look out the window," rather than the sweater itself. Unless of course I leave it laying around somewhere. Then it immediately gets claimed as a cozy kitty bed.

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  8. vlb5757March 18, 2009 at 6:35 AM

    It has been such fun watching the sweater evolve! What a nice nice sweater. I know you will enjoy years of wear.

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  9. cyndyMarch 18, 2009 at 6:52 AM

    Wow Leigh! It is just fantastic! You look terrific in it! Amazing work...

    I liked this project of yours for so many reasons...thank you for posting about the process and the techniques!

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  10. Woolly BitsMarch 18, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    don't know why you're complaining about being the model - it fits perfectly and suits you really well! I think it's worth every minute you spend on it - doesn't it give you great satisfaction to make something that well? I think you should be proud of yourself!!
    enjoy wearing it for many years to come...

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  11. AnnieMarch 18, 2009 at 8:39 AM

    Your sweater is beautiful, Leigh! And like you I hate modelling sweaters for my blog, but in the end usually have to do so. For us, followers of your blog, it's nice to put a face to the name...

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  12. MimMarch 18, 2009 at 9:17 AM

    Everything is perfect, fit, color model! Beautiful work! I didn't relize I had a hand in this sweater. Cool!

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  13. CathyMarch 18, 2009 at 9:51 AM

    Thank you Sue for suggesting the tripod!!

    The sweater is wonderful - so nice to see it being worn and to know some of the fleece that went into it.

    And give that kitty a pat - obviously someone(s) had to keep you in line.

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  14. SueMarch 18, 2009 at 10:20 AM

    It's beautiful! Congratulations!

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  15. AnonymousMarch 18, 2009 at 10:26 AM

    So fun to finally get to see it finished and on you! It's very beautiful and it looks so good on you. Congratulations!

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  16. pethikemouMarch 18, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    brava leigh!
    your sweater is beautiful and it looks comfortable too. as always, thank you so much for sharing your work with us.
    happy spring!

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  17. Wool EnoughMarch 18, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    The sweater is beautiful and it looks wonderful on you. Congratulations on such a super successful project!

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  18. Life Looms LargeMarch 18, 2009 at 4:07 PM

    Wow - it is gorgeous!!! It looks great on you, and great with khakis.

    I didn't realize until this post that you actually spun the yarn. Oh. My. Word. I'm not sure I would be able to actually wear something that had so much work go into it. (Or, I'd at least take it off whenever I was in the presence of anything messy....like food!)

    Although, one of my spinning friends says that she thinks spinning lets her get more of her money's worth from fiber because she gets that much more enjoyment out of a project.

    Gorgeous!! Thanks for getting out the tripod!!

    Sue

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  19. bspinnerMarch 18, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    No one could look as nice as you do in your sweater. Worth every minute you put into it. Beautiful!!!

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  20. DorothyMarch 18, 2009 at 5:13 PM

    Not only is it a beautiful sweater and a good fit, it really suits you too. Many congratulations.

    Is it Catzee who's peeking in there? I can't decide, I think Rascal may be a bit bigger? My old cat Oscar always used to stick his head in front of the camera, don't know why but if he saw me with the camera he run up and peer into it!!

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  21. AnonymousMarch 18, 2009 at 7:25 PM

    Simply beautiful! If you enter it in any contests, (like Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, hint-hint,) I don't see how it could take anything but top prize. It is truly outstanding. Congrats!

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  22. DonnaMarch 18, 2009 at 9:28 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous intricate sweater- good job!

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  23. LaritzaMarch 18, 2009 at 10:26 PM

    Lovely! Congratulations on a job well done!

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  24. SharonMarch 19, 2009 at 12:11 AM

    Picture my dropped jaw - I want to grow up to be just like you. Better yet, I want to be your neighbor. Um, I'm not Ms. Rogers~

    I drove home after work to Robbie chasing/menacing Mickey. Someone needs to shear them!!! Mickey is in the sweater - not Robbie. I sent you the right karmic wool - I see that.

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  25. dawnMarch 19, 2009 at 6:04 AM

    This is a beautiful, timeless sweater! Kudos!

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  26. LeighMarch 19, 2009 at 6:59 AM

    Thank you all for your kind comments! Woolly Bits, I'm like Annie, for some reason I hate modeling for my blog. I hate having my photo taken actually. I'm definitely a behind the scenes type of person.

    Dorothy, you're correct, that's Catzee. And you're also correct about Rascal. He's much larger, about double her weight in fact. It's funny you should mention Oscar's habit though, because Rascal is the exact same way! Maybe it has something to do with being a black cat?

    Textillian, it never occurred to me to enter this anywhere. Doubt I could part with it though. I appreciate the comment however.

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  27. AnonymousMarch 19, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    This is a most lovely cardigan. An heirloom as well as so wearable. I have unexpectedly found 3 unwashed fleeces in the attic and I am spending hours washing and spinning. I will be reading all your related posts on spinning and dying as I am a novice.Your post comes at just the right time for me.

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  28. ErinMarch 19, 2009 at 11:16 AM

    A really impressive sweater. I'm so glad circumstances "forced" you to model it yourself. It fits wonderfully.

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  29. Tina T-PMarch 19, 2009 at 11:36 AM

    It's just gorgeous! I'm honored to be a part of it. (and the model is gorgeous too, don't ya think?) :-) T.

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  30. AnonymousMarch 20, 2009 at 2:49 AM

    Leigh, WOW!! And I'm glad you modelled it - it's nice to see a photo of you! And as you say, it fits you *very* well, so it would be a shame not to show that off. ;) A true master work, say I.

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  31. JulieMarch 20, 2009 at 10:17 AM

    Look at you, what a great sweater! I looks like it fits great and the color is perfect on you.

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  32. AnonymousMarch 21, 2009 at 7:19 AM

    Congratulations, what a triumph. I have followed this cardigan avidly from fleece to finish and I am so impressed - not only by your craft skills but by the way you apply them so thoughtfully to the materials. Wear it and bask! At least until the cat moves in. Don't they have an unerring instinct for the best quality beds?

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  33. De-DeMarch 22, 2009 at 8:12 PM

    Wow! I'm drooling! What a wonderful work of art you've produced. May it bring you joy for many, many years to come.

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  34. JackieMarch 24, 2009 at 5:05 AM

    It looks wonderful! Congratulations on compleating such an amazing project! You rock!

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  35. JanetMarch 24, 2009 at 8:14 AM

    Finished at last. You can be very proud of your work.

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  36. thecrazysheepladyMarch 27, 2009 at 8:18 PM

    Gorgeous!

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  37. Terri D.March 28, 2009 at 9:07 AM

    I admire your work. It is incredible and looks so wonderful on you! Your blog looks fabulous also! I can't wait to see more.

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  38. elizabethMay 21, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    Incredible! I love that you took your time to puzzle out answers, all that work and thought has definitely paid off!

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