Saturday, November 24, 2007

A Winter's Sweater

Just in time for the cold season, Jim's sweater is back from the tailor's.

Pattern: Paton's Urban Aran
Yarn: Rowan Spun Chunky
Needles: 6mm

I'm thrilled with the results and so is Jim. Other than choosing the yarn or the pattern, he's been a part of the process the entire way through. He told me how long he wanted the body and sleeves. He specified that he did NOT want a two way zipper. He even looked through Ravelry with me to discuss the different options for the collar. The end result is perfect for him.

For my zipper-side edge, I only left one selvedge stitch, which I slipped. I wanted the front to come together quite snuggly at the cables and that's what I got.

I had the zipper installed by a tailor. She's done other work for me and I'm always pleased with what she does. Except that she wanted to put a plastic zipper in, but I over ruled her on that. This metal zipper has a fluid drape to it that mirrors the drape of the sweater. It cost me $25 for her work, but it was well worth it to me for the peace of mind. Plus, I don't have a sewing machine.

This was a very successful knit. I hope it lasts Jim a good long time. It's not a Christmas present
because I think he just deserves a hand knit for all the wonderful things he does for us.

I did not enjoy knitting those stacks of cables at the waist, but once they were over with this was a pleasant enough knit. The Rowan yarn washed up beautifully soft and was very nice to work with.

Here's one last picture. The color (Cardamom) is more true in this shot, and I love the brooding winter feel of the image.

16 comments:

  1. Great job on this garment!.

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  2. Anonymous7:13 pm

    Oh Laurie - What a handsome cabled cardigan!! Obviously made to fit Jim perfectly - lucky man!!

    (If I had a tailor that I KNEW would sew in a zipper that well, I would make more zippered sweaters! - oh and I can see why you might want to wait before knitting tightly cabled mittens)

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  3. Lovely sweater! Good Job Laurie!

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  4. Anonymous12:28 am

    What a fabulous sweater - well done!

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  5. That sweater is GORGEOUS! It is truly a work of art. Isn't it wonderful how we can show our appreciation with handknits?? Great job.

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  6. Great sweater for him. It fit's your husband so well, from color to pattern and size. Perfect for each other. I love the cables. He sure seems to enjoy the modeling shots :)

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  7. Wow, very nice!! I love that colour, and the fit on Jim is perfect. It looks so warm and cozy -- a wonderful winter sweater.

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  8. Perfect. And that photo of Jim where he's standing hip-shot, wow. What an excellent sweater for an excellent man!

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  9. That is a beautiful piece of work and it fits him so well!

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  10. Jim looks great in the sweater.

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  11. Great, GREAT sweater and very well modeled as well!

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  12. Anonymous7:18 pm

    That sweater is gorgeous and it looks fabulous on Jim! He knows what he likes and he was right. Nice job, Laurie!

    I'd never thought of taking the zipper elsewhere. This opens a whole new world of patterns.

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  13. Anonymous11:34 pm

    Ahem...I haven't visited for a few days and this is what you do! You post pictures, beautiful eye candy, sweaters with gorgeous cables for husbands. I'm not showing that one to my husband, let me tell you. He might think I love him less than you do yours. Waaaaaaaah! And that hat...well, I want that hat. I was so taken by the pix that I didn't have time to read all here and it's late and I'm tired. I'll be back tomorrow. Great stuff, Laurie.

    Connie

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  14. As always, you do such beautiful work!

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  15. really REALLY nice! where did you buy your zipper? we have such limited resources here for that . . and david loves zippered sweaters.

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  16. Anonymous3:49 pm

    Really, really nice--looks like you found a good yarn for the pattern. Nice work!

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