So there's over 1 lb. of navy worsted weight cashmere sitting in my stash at the moment. It's beginning to make me feel guilty: I bought it almost two years ago. A wee bit went to Chris' Boyfriend Scarf, but there's more than enough there for a sweater for me.
Now that the USMP only needs arms (no progress there, though), I'm committing to use the cashmere in my next project. I want a design that will show off the lushness of the cashmere, something you couldn't buy in a store without dropping several hundred bucks. My first thought was some kind of lush button-up cardigan, maybe with a turtleneck collar, maybe even asymmetrical. But after searching for just the right pattern I just couldn't find what I was looking for. So I settled on some non-cardigan options. This one goes all the way back to Rowan 32, Winter 2002:
Braid. Two things: First, the collar is actually a t-neck (why on earth does this model look so weepy? is the widdle modew having a bad day?), and as a rule I prefer crewneck pullovers. But I don't think it should be hard to turn it into a crewneck if I wanted to. Second, it's designed for chunky yarn. Maybe if I knit a size or two up with smaller needles? Think that could work? If not, I suppose I could design my own pattern with a similar motif, but I prefer to have someone else to swear at if it goes horribly wrong.
Of course, there's also this sweater from Phildar Irlandais, which I've been drooling over since March:
This pattern is created for worsted-weight yarn, which would eliminate the transposition problem, but has another difficulty in that it is quite a complicated pattern written in French. Also, the navy might not show off these more delicate cables to their best advantage. Still, it would be completely unique, something you could never find in a store. (Oh, and I'd ditch the thumb holes, bien sur).
UPDATE: For those who are interested, I'm pretty sure copies of that issue of Irlandais can be purchased here, from Knit 'n' Tyme. Mine was obtained via the good graces of the lovely Sarah in France.
I'd get tons of wear out of either of these girls, but it's a difficult choice between them ... ah well, I'm sure USMP will be giving me plenty of time to stew about the matter.
UPDATE: Er, well, also Sesame from the new Magknits is along the lines of what I was thinking about cardigan-wise, so that's in the running as well! (Although it is somewhat plainer than the other choices)
Posted by jess at September 17, 2005 3:17 PMI think the Phildar pattern is infinitely more attractive and wearable. It's got gorgeous details and the asymmetrical collar is very cool. If I were you, I'd go with it. There are plenty of folks in blogland with experience translating french knitting patterns; I'll bet you'd get lots of help if you asked/looked around.
My two cents... :)
Posted by: Karma at September 17, 2005 5:01 PMOh, I love the thumbholes! I hate it when sleeves ride up. I've thought of maybe adding a stirrup to an existing pattern, but I like their sleeve/fingerless mitts idea much better.
Posted by: Manda at September 17, 2005 7:14 PMThe new Rebecca (30) has several lovely options that were designed with cashmere. You can see some of them at http://www.rebecca-online.de/cont_en/.
Posted by: jillian at September 17, 2005 7:40 PMI think the Irlandais pattern would look great in navy. It would be great in a charcoal grey color also, but navy...perfect with a nice knee length wool or denim skirt. In charcoal, I see it looking very subtle with pewter buttons, or glamorous with rhinestone encrusted brooch-style buttons. :) I sent a copy to my french speaking mom to translate, but I don't know if she's going to be able to make heads or tails of it.
Posted by: andrea at September 17, 2005 9:39 PMOh yeah, we should have a knit-a-long on the Phildar pattern, actually. Maybe we could start...oh...November? I have to find yarn and move first. We could meet up every once in awhile at a nyc(?) stitch n bitch or something and compare notes.
Posted by: andrea at September 17, 2005 9:41 PM'nother vote for the phildar, it's absolutely fab!
Posted by: J. at September 18, 2005 12:44 AMI love the Phildar. Enough that I am considering ordering the book and translating - so I need to know where that help is on the internet for translating patterns from French. Because it is more body conscious it looks a tad more 'today' than the Rowan. Also, if you read through your last several entries, you keep coming up with sweaters that are a little too roomy. The Rowan, by nature, is roomy - are you going to be comfortable with that? or will you always feel like you're wearing your boyfriends sweater?
I vote for the phildar sweater. It's definately unique and looks like something you can only get at an upscale boutique.
Posted by: yahaira at September 19, 2005 9:26 AMI actually knit the Irlandais pattern in charcoal alpaca. Which was too fuzzy, so I wasn't happy and ripped it out. But I (with help) translated the whole pattern, and could help you if you got hung up, I think. It was a fun knit, and the pattern is really lovely. I'll be trying it again with more appropriate yarn. Actually, the charcoal alpaca is now a USMP waiting for sleeves!
Posted by: Julia at September 20, 2005 9:15 PMThe Phildar pattern is available in pdf format here:
http://niqui.canalblog.com/docs/Pull_New_Age_Phildar.pdf
And there is a French knit-along for it here:
http://tricotcolchique.canalblog.com/
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