I wanted to knit a sweater that would have a similar shape and feel to a beloved, oversized and totally overworn sweatshirt. A sweatshirt that everyone has seen me in and most people have been hoping to never see me in again.
Well, bitches, that time may be now...
Given that there isn't anyone to take photos of me looking short, dumpy and middle-aged while I'm wearing my sweater, I was sort of at a loss for how to photograph it. I'm no Gale, ya know.
Last weekend, I had mentioned to our Cindy that I'd put the sweater while in progress on top of the sweatshirt to compare. She liked the idea of me doing that again here for the big finished object post. I like the idea, too.
Plus I couldn't come up with another idea.
The sweatshirt is huge. It's an extra large, but it's got to be bigger than that because it's HUGE! That's part of the reason I like so much. The slightly boatneck shape is more my style than your normal slightly choking tee-shirt style neck. I also love the extra room in it. Being able to put it on over a long sleeved tee (or two) is often enough added warmth to keep me going while saving me from being weighed down by a coat/fleece/jacket. Remember, I live in a part of the world where there's no real snow-bound winter.
In the first photo, you can totally see why I thought I might need to lengthen. However, I am happy with where the bottom hits so I'm good.
Anyway, the yarn is my handspun. The fiber came from our Joan. She very kindly made a million tiny green batts for me to spin. As you can see in the above photo, our Joan does not just dye everything a single color out of the bottle color and call it done. I love that. However, I was not totally prepared for one sleeve to start out a totally different color than the body.
I have since come to realize how fabulous it is and it's all good.
Fiber was BFL. Yarn was 4-ply. Honest to goodness 4 plies that were plied together off four different bobbins at the same time. Yeah, not my favorite thing ever, but I do love this yarn. It was a pound and a half of fluff. I used less than a thousand yards of yarn and still have over 500 yards left. There's another fabulous green something in my future... at some point.
Pattern is $5 in Paris. Wonderful free pattern that is an amazing starting point from which you can do anything your little heart desires. I'm proof of that and, yes, I am already planning my next one. Shut up.
It's a win. I couldn't be happier and I'm currently plotting my next sweater while I work on something that may be a slog. Only time will tell.
Congrats on the sweater! That's one hill I have yet to climb... and the whole reason I started spinning in the first place. I was under the illusion that spinning your own yarn would be cheaper than buying the yarn already made. Oi!
Posted by: Becky | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 05:00 AM
It looks great! Wins are always wonderful. Especially with sweaters.
Posted by: Jennifer | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 05:18 AM
It's wonderful! I love how the color changes...and it's BFL?...I love that stuff. So soft...It's gonna be better than a sweatshirt!
xoxo
Posted by: Marilyn | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 05:26 AM
I love it. You remind me that I have my own version of the oversized sweatshirt sweater, and that today is the perfect day to wear it. Didn't make mine from homespun, though. That takes yours to a whole 'nother level.
Posted by: Ruth | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 05:29 AM
Finally, you knit a sweater. Well done and worth the wait!
Posted by: joan | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 05:38 AM
A Cupcake sweater, and in such lovely greens. How glorious! I am both very impressed and filled with covetousness.
Posted by: Elizabeth | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 05:46 AM
Gorgeous sweater!! Don't you love making something that you envisioned.
Posted by: Karen | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 05:47 AM
Hand-dyed, hand-spun, hand-knit, well fit, it doesn't get better than that!!
Posted by: margene | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 05:53 AM
Awesome. And anyways, you should know that the latest trend in portraiture is to take a pic of yourself in the mirror of a public bathroom. Bonus points if you catch someone doing something weird/gross in the background.
Posted by: Kitten | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 07:33 AM
I -LOVE- it! It's perfect.
The subtle stripes and color changes are beautiful.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 08:40 AM
Cute! I think the color is so pretty. I suspect it's soft and cuddly but I can't feel it through the screen.
Lovely!
Posted by: silvia | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 09:50 AM
Very nice! It's smaller than the oversized sweatshirt, but that's probably a good thing? I love the greens. Looks like a new wardrobe staple!
Posted by: pdxknitterati | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 09:55 AM
Gorgeous sweater!!!
Posted by: Datagoddess | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Love me a boatneck! Lovely sweater and great color. I hope you wear it (out) well. :-)
Posted by: Patty | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 10:10 AM
I love it. The shaded flow of color is so pretty!
Posted by: Beverly | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 02:27 PM
GORGEOUS!!!The shading is fabulous.
Posted by: Carrie#K | Friday, November 16, 2012 at 03:18 PM
Looks perfect! Love the color(s)!
Posted by: gayle | Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 05:03 AM
Oh, hunny. It's simply fabulous! I love it. The colors are wonderful and I know you'll love it almost as much as the sweatshirt. I must say that at least your huge ugly sweatshirt isn't the awful khaki green that mine is. $3 value and I have never owned anything warmer. I believe it's because there are absolutely no natural fibers in it, so it acts like a huge baggie (I have no way of knowing and refuse to do the burning test:-P). You do so need another handspun (I LOVE THAT YARN) sweater for yourself. Hugs!!!!!
Posted by: CindyCindy | Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 05:42 AM
You knit a beautiful sweater!! I am sure it looks so much better on you than that sweatshirt you love.
I have missed checking in on you. Too much life around here. hugs
Posted by: Helen | Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 10:46 AM
Lol, hell hath no fury like a sweater knitter with proper gauge! Go get 'em! Lovely handspun, great FO!
Posted by: Kelly | Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Lovely! A beautiful color green as well!
Posted by: Hattie | Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 02:02 PM
quite the purty thang. Meee low gustah.
Posted by: KellyS | Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 06:30 PM
Well done!
Posted by: Natalie | Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Oh, thanks! It IS a fabulous sweater. I love the slightly variegated greens. Hurrah for comfy sweaters!
Posted by: kmkat | Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 12:38 PM
It is indeed a lovely sweater. Joan does amazing things with color. Thankfully, she batted it for you! And you...spinning and knitting it all. What an accomplishment. Seriously.
Posted by: Stacey | Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 01:48 PM
I love it. It looks so soft and comfortable and the color is gorgeous. I can't wait until I get good enough to spin yarn that I can actually use.
Posted by: Doris | Monday, November 19, 2012 at 03:32 PM
Yay! It looks awesome.
Posted by: Knittyotter | Monday, November 19, 2012 at 06:51 PM
I think I shall call this your Princess Sweater because I misread the post title as Princess in Suburbia.
I love your new sweater, and glad it will be snuggling you for many years. xoxo
Posted by: Sarah | Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 08:57 AM
finally catching up on blogs...and sweater is stunning. Nothing like handspun. Wear it in good health!
Posted by: Amy N | Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 12:28 PM