a little knitting and some random thoughts
The reading hoodie is progressing slowly (although if I wasn’t procrastinating on Uni work so much it would be even slower). This is the first shoulder, completed up to the point where those stitches will be grafted with those from the back shoulder without any more knitting. More playing with seamless set in sleeves. I think I’ve worked out how to do the hood too, so I really want to get to the that. I know I started off writing up really detailed explanations on how I’m making this. It seems doubtful that there are many people other than me who would want to knit an entire 4ply hoodie, so I’m not planning on selling a pattern for this. However, I found writing up the process interesting, and although I don’t have time to do it right now (need to make sure it turns out well too!) I would like to finish it and compile the previous post into a page or pdf file or something. More of a sweater recipe than a pattern, because I think it would be quite adaptable to different yarn weights - except for maybe the cuffs, which I do think are the best part of this, those might be a bit impractical if they were thicker. Anyway, as I said, I would like to do this but it’s always good to know whether there is any demand for it. So let me know if you’re interested.
I’m in the midst of finals, trying to write an essay on the relationships that some ‘black Atlantic’ writers have with symbolism. With all that I’m reading for that and all the crazy things that are going on in the world today it seems important to remind myself that while my education might be hard, it’s also a very, very privileged position and one that amidst all of the procrastination and avoidance an opportunity to appreciate whether or not that makes it easier.
On a lighter note, my mother claims that I didn’t emphasis my stubbornness nearly enough in my last post. No idea whether that would be at all possible but try imagining some foot stomping and screaming thrown in. But that’s not important, because bizarrely I actually won. Knew there must have been something prompting me to write up that story so close to the deadline and after I had decided not to bother. Strange.
Posted: April 18th, 2007 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 27
Comments
Comment from Cirilia
Time: April 18, 2007, 4:39 pm
I’m right there with you–it’s so turbulent to be a student. When I’m at my grumpiest I remember how lucky I am and how much I wanted to be a student, how hard it was to get this far and I feel pretty embarrassed. Talk about cognitive dissonance.
Good luck with your papers and knitting!
Comment from Karma
Time: April 18, 2007, 5:35 pm
I am definitely interested in learning more about your seamless set-in sleeve process. Even if it’s just narrative, a la Elizabeth Zimmerman, rather than a pattern.
I loved being a student. Uni was such a difficult, yet amazing time. Now I can look back fondly and I hope you will, too, someday!
Comment from Josiane
Time: April 18, 2007, 5:36 pm
I am totally interested in your sweater recipe, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be alone!
Comment from Laura
Time: April 18, 2007, 5:43 pm
I’d definitely be interested in a 4-ply hoodie pattern. I prefer the drape of 4-ply generally - thicker yarns can really add bulk.
I also remember the grumpiness and procrastination of my student years… It’s worth it in the end though!
Comment from Adrienne
Time: April 18, 2007, 5:50 pm
Don’t know if I’d ever knit a whole sweater in 4ply, but I, too, would love to hear your ideas about top down set in sleeves. I’ve tried them a couple times and gotten “eh” results, what you’ve got there looks great!
Comment from Harper
Time: April 18, 2007, 6:00 pm
I’m with Adrienne — I’d like to hear about the sleeves (and your solution for the hood when you get there). Reading about someone’s process is very useful even if you don’t knit their pattern, it might germinate somewhere else. In fact, I find I am less drawn to patterns without some kind of narrative.
Comment from Philippa
Time: April 18, 2007, 6:57 pm
I’d certainly be interested in a 4-ply hoodie recipe. Firstly because I have a lot of 4-ply yarn from some jumpers I’ve unravelled, and I love hoodies, and secondly because I really like the way you construct patterns and it would be great to add your thoughts in pdf format and a recipe to my knitterly education.
Just, you know, in case neither of us had any other work to do :). Good luck with it all. I was an English finalist once, and eveb now I’m a medical student I still think it was pretty tough.
Comment from Becky
Time: April 18, 2007, 7:12 pm
i would definately be interested in a recipe to adapt. I have a load of lurid pink aran weight yarn that iv got to use up somehow! and i also hate seams!
Comment from Sarah
Time: April 18, 2007, 8:15 pm
Add me to the list of the interested! :)
Comment from Rachel
Time: April 18, 2007, 8:57 pm
I’d really like to see the 4-ply hoodie recipe! Seems like it’d be a really good reference to have around.
Comment from cadi
Time: April 18, 2007, 9:54 pm
Hehe, I too have knit a hoodie from the top down using 4-ply. There’s something about living in a desert that makes knitting bulky seem less than desireable.
The insanity is, I’m now knitting a cashmere sweater on 2mm needles for my partner. Unfortunately, he is of a large and tall persuasion.
Comment from Natalie
Time: April 18, 2007, 10:23 pm
I would love to knit such a sweater as you have. Please post the pattern/recipe!
Comment from michellenyc
Time: April 18, 2007, 11:01 pm
i am also fascinated by this seamless set in sleeve - please post the recipe when you have the time, i can’t wait to try it!
Comment from lupinbunny
Time: April 19, 2007, 12:35 am
i like the idea of a 4ply hoodie, because it’s too warm here to wear more than worsted weight (not even that, really), so 4 ply means i could add my new favourite - colourwork.
and i’m really interested in the seamless set in sleeve. my guess is the sleeves are knit first, then as you knit the front/ back you k2tog with the last body stitch and the edge stitch on the sleeve?
Comment from Andrea
Time: April 19, 2007, 2:41 am
I second (eighth?) the motion for the sweater recipe.
Also as a grad student I am certainly looking for distractions from my school work.
Comment from violetsrose
Time: April 19, 2007, 12:15 pm
Yep, I too prefer knitting in 4ply - it just looks chicer somehow - so I’d love a pattern of this
Comment from Reve
Time: April 19, 2007, 1:31 pm
oh yes, please post about the hoodie when you’re done. i could put it on my ever lengthening list of things i want to make.
and congratulations on winner the contest.
Comment from Juno
Time: April 19, 2007, 2:54 pm
Love to read about it - I have 3000 yards of fingering weight camel/wool handpaint that I want to make a plain, plain and well fitted cardi with deep cuff and yoke ribbing out of. Love to see your thoughts sketched out.
Comment from pinsandneedles
Time: April 19, 2007, 3:01 pm
I’m currently working on a bolero, so I don’t know if I have enough yarn for a sweater at the moment. Though if the cuffs are as cool as you say they are, I’m open to anything you’re going to write.
Comment from BeppyCat
Time: April 19, 2007, 3:02 pm
I’ve been loving the posts on your hoodie project. You also inspired me to check and see if I can read and knit at the same time, and I was very excited to find out that I can! So a nice long project with lots of stockinette like your hoodie might even be something I’d make, fine yarn notwithstanding.
Thanks!
Comment from felinity
Time: April 19, 2007, 3:04 pm
I’ve been wondering how the hoodie was going! Your description of doing the facing for the hem has completely inspired me to do something similar in the near future.
I’ve never commented before but I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I really enjoy it. Please do put some more pictures and commentary of your hoodie up as you complete the final stages, if you have time. Looking forward to seeing the finished article.
Comment from kathryn
Time: April 19, 2007, 4:21 pm
congratulations ! you deserve it - seem to be one of the most prolific knitters i’ve come accross.
i’m celebtaring being an (adult ) knitter for a year, so i guess it wasn’t just a passing whim. interweave knits swallowtail shawl marks the occasion.
love your blog, its so inspiring.
Comment from Jodie
Time: April 19, 2007, 7:42 pm
I was enjoying reading about your hoodie and was hoping for more. More for the process than the percise gauge and stitch count.
I also read and knit at the same time. How do you keep your book open, or are they always text books?
Comment from kate
Time: April 20, 2007, 2:13 pm
I for one, would love to hear more about your seamless set-in sleeve. While I don’t hate seaming the way some others do, I feel it is time that could be spent doing something more worthwile — like knitting!
Comment from emily
Time: April 22, 2007, 6:30 am
yes please on the recipe/pattern–especially details on hood, sleeves, and neckline!
Comment from Nan
Time: April 23, 2007, 3:07 pm
I’d love to learn about the seamless set-in sleeve technique (in the shrug and hoodie). I do hope you will write something up! Thank you.
Comment from Jeannie
Time: April 29, 2007, 3:42 pm
Hello!
So, when will the pattern for that gorgeous princess (blue when debut), emerge? :)
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