Designer Kirstin Wiola Ødegård
I am down to the last strokes. The body is now knit and I have almost finished the first sleeve of this top-down stranded knit sweater. The pattern is “Agnes” by Kirstin Wiola Ødegård. I have knit lots of stranded knit mitts over the years but this is only the second sweater. Working on a larger piece has gone a long way toward improving my stranded knitting; especially in the tension department. Stranded knitting on a larger scale (sweater vs mittens) definitely lets you know when your tension is off. It makes you sit up and pay attention. The lozenges in this pattern should be roughly oval-shaped, not a squished down diamond-shape. Compare the lozenges at the collar, bottom left, where I started the sweater to the top right where I have found the sweet spot. The lozenges on the sleeves are almost the same shape as those in the lower body. Hooray! It is those little accomplishments that make all the difference.
When I first started stranded knitting I was just happy to be able to knit holding a strand in each hand. Now I look more closely at gauge, the shape of the motifs, the sturdiness of the ribbing or a buttonhole, the seamlessness of the underarm, etc. etc. Each little thing I do, accomplish or adjust builds my skill set. But the key is to set the goal in the first place and not accept whatever happens as I tink along. After I figure out one piece to the puzzle, I turn my attention to the next and little by little, stitch by stitch, I find my way.
Kim, such a metaphor for life!
That is very lovely Kim. One of my bucket list items is to learn how to do colorwork well. Like you said, little by little. Enjoy the process.
Take care
Colynn
Lovely to hear from you, Colynn. It is interesting how my new boundaries have actually forced me to become more creative. Since we downsized and I no longer have a dye studio, I have had to find other ways to get my “colour fix”. First, it was blending my own colours using my blending board or handcards. Now, it has spilled over to stranded knitting/colourwork. All the best, Kim
Hi Kim
Your sweater looks beautiful. I have knit several things and I know how tricky the tension can be. Hope we can meet up again some time soon. Doreen
Thanks, Doreen…there is certainly a learning curve. I had never experienced tension challenges until I started with stranded knitting where I need to adjust for areas with no stranding, areas with “luce” and areas with larger motifs. It is fascinating and makes me appreciate the knitters from days gone more and more as I realize how very talented they were. It would be fantastic to meet up and talk weaving, spinning, knitting and all things fibre….it has been way too long.