Well this one has been a long time coming. I bought the yarn for this when we went to WEBS last summer, started it in September and had delusions that I would be able to wear it in the fall. (It's okay, you can laugh, I don't mind.)
The elemental boatneck by hannah fettig (love her!) from interweave summer 2009.
I somehow underestimated how long it would take me to knit something on size 3 needles. I finished the body in early November and put it away to better use my time to knit warm, cuddly things. I brought it out in early march thinking (reasonably accurately) that it shouldn't take that long to finish the sleeves and it should be ready for spring, and voila! here it is!
Can I just say that Hempathy is one of my new favorite yarns? Elsebeth Lasvold's yarns are surprisingly affordable, (btw it is taking a serious strength of will for me to stay away from the Webs anniversary sale) and they knit up very nicely. This sweater is SOOOO lightweight, I'm totally sold on it. I think it is my new favorite yarn for spring/summer knits.
My main complaint about spring/summer knits is that cotton and bamboo are so heavy and the yarn is still so thick that even tho it's not wool I am still all sweaty and feel like I am encapsulated in insulating material that actively prevents the breeze from finding me. Basically it's just not my thing. But this sweater - this sweater is thin, really thin, and it weighs NOTHING. While the longish & snug sleeves make this impractical for one of those Philly-hot 98 degree days, I can definitely see wearing this into the 80s (for reference that means it should take me through June and then I can get it back out in September).
Now I am all about finding other things I can knit in this yarn. :-) Wow I have really waxed poetic about it! I guess all I'm saying is don't knock it 'til you've tried it!
Alterations: Knit cuffs & hem on smaller needle, knit sleeves from the top down.
Also, in an attempt to be able to purchase some more yarn for spring/summer knits I am doing some serious stash busting. I have decided that my two for one rule includes selling yarn, because really I'm just trying to minimize my stash, there are no rules about HOW I get rid of it. Check it out & thanks for looking!
Oh wow! this is lovely! And good to know about the Hempathy...I've always seen it at the yarn store but didn't know what it would be like actually knitting with it. Now I want to try something with it! I feel the same way about spring/summer knits...cotton yarn is still way too heavy for here.
Posted by: Emily | April 07, 2011 at 03:49 PM
What a gorgeous sweater! It's just perfect - it fits you beautifully, and the color is wonderful, and it sounds like it'll be a great summer sweater for at least a lot of the season. Hooray! Also, I, too, like Hempathy - I knitted a skirt out of it (that is, alas, too large - it was from back in my "knit it two sizes too big and at least you know it won't be too small" phase). I should think about doing a sweater sometime...
Posted by: Jocelyn | April 08, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Oh Wow! That turned out great!! Maybe I'll knit one...
Hempathy you say? Hmm....
Posted by: Heather | April 08, 2011 at 08:48 PM