Can I tell you how thrilled and astonished I am about the response to Zimmermania? I haven't counted, but by eyeballing, it looks like there are already about 80 participants. There have already been more than 30 posts gearing up for our 9/23 start date! Very exciting!
My first project was to be a Fishtrap Cardigan for Chris, but alas, it's on hold. My niece, Lorin, has requested a sweater for her 7th birthday. Naturally, another EZ sweater is in the works! I'm either going to make the Icelandic Yoke Sweater (Leaflet #14) or the Fair Isle Yoke Sweater (Leaflet #1) from The Opinionated Knitter. Either of these will need to be modified with either a henley-type collar or buttons at the shoulder to accommodate the child's enormous (22"!) head. I imagine this will be accomplished with steeks, to which I am brand new.
As for yarn, Lorin professes that she doesn't like wool. I debated whether to try to disabuse her of this idea from across the continent, but decided against it. As a compromise, I picked up a ball of worsted Misti Alpaca in grey for the body whilst I plot the colors I want for the yoke. I've ogled this super soft stuff as long as I've been knitting. The gauge of the Misti (5st/1" on US 7) is between the original gauge from the two sweaters - Icelandic is 4st/1" and Fair Isle is 6st/1", but using the percentage system this should not pose too big a pattern problem. I'm just trying to decide whether it's too fine a yarn for the more rustic look of the Icelandic sweater - I do love that one. I see it in Lamb's Pride, actually. But I wonder whether that's the first wool sweater the child should have... in my experience, the mohair makes it a bit tickly. If you have any opinions I'd love to hear them!
But I do have one design question for you. I don't have much experience making children's clothes, and am wondering about ease. What do you think is the ideal amount of ease to be built into a worsted-weight sweater for a 7-year old? I normally make my own sweaters with zero ease, but of course that won't work for a kid. Any wisdom to share?
[Cross-posted at Zimmermania]
Posted by jess at September 21, 2006 11:03 AM | TrackBackI'm tickled to death about Zimmermania- for me it was the perfect storm of finding "Knitting Without Tears" finally on the library shelf (now to be continually placed on hold by me), seeing j a r e d 's post about the seamless hybrid, and Mr. Frick asking me, plaintively, "So, when are you going to make ME a sweater?" I actually linked here through the Forecast KAL. So...where's Forecast? :-)
Posted by: JulieFrick at September 21, 2006 11:48 AMjess, i just thought to mention if the steeks figure into to the project (and you may already know this) eunny has the most illuminating and thorough series on steeking at her site. following her tutorial made the cutting of knitted fabric almost joyful, except for those few breathless moments waiting for the world (and vest) to unravel. good luck!
Posted by: mames at September 21, 2006 12:07 PMHiya! I'm glad you helped infect us all with Zimmermania - it's going to be fun (and inspiring) to see everyone's work!
On the subject of ease... my two girls (5 and 6) tend to be happy wearing sweaters with up to 2-3 inches of ease, and as they grow we can unroll the cuffs (it might help to make a patterned facing to encourage cuffing.) They've been known to wear a sweater for up to 3 years as it morphs from a loose, tunic-like pullover into a snug, waist-length top. Kids grow fast, and you can't handknit a sweater only to have them outgrow it in one season! So, if you put a bunch of ease in now (which should be fine for a 7 year old) the sweater should fit more stylishly when she is 9...
On the subject of nonscratchy wools -- how about Rowan Wool Cotton? That's my favorite for kids' clothes, and it comes in really nice colors. It knits up reliably at DK weight.
Posted by: Jen at September 21, 2006 1:14 PMWow...amazing. I've never knitted a Zimmerman pattern, or read her books, or even used one of her methods. How can I call myself a knitter? I will definitely be following this to brush up.
Posted by: Julia at September 21, 2006 1:29 PMthis whole zimmermania thing has me thinking - "I can't believe I've never bought, or looked at, one of her books!" Oh the shame! I gotta correct that ASAP!
Posted by: melissa at September 21, 2006 1:47 PMAlpaca can actually be quite tickly for some people too - what about a wool/cotton, or a wool/microfiber - or a superwash wool - like the Louet Gems, which always seems less itchy to me.
Posted by: Juno at September 21, 2006 2:49 PMWill she actually see a difference between wool and alpaca?
Posted by: sarahdotcom at September 21, 2006 2:52 PMI'm not a fair isle or steeking expert, but is alpaca "sticky" enough to steek?
Posted by: Angela at September 21, 2006 3:24 PMI want to knit one of seamless sweaters from K.W.T. book. But I want it to be bit, not boxy. How should I go about it when it comes to derease for waist shaping? Advice appreciated!:)
Posted by: magenta at September 21, 2006 6:21 PMi agree on the extra ease... more years of wearing! maybe 3-4 inches?
for some reason, although i can wear the most rustic of rustic wools, alpaca tickles me weirdly. maybe i haven't been using the super soft stuff? there seem to be little guard hairs that poke. how's the misti on the neck and belly?
I just started knitting a scarf(a request) with Rowan Cashsoft. It's VERY soft. As soon as my son touched it he said he wanted something made out of it. I think I made some socks out of the DK weight and they are warm and cuddly and have stood up to the washing machine.
Posted by: SallyT at September 22, 2006 8:51 AMRegarding ease: I agree with a commenter above. A good 3" overall should do it. Kids mostly get taller for a long time. Filling out left to right is a much slower process, but snug doesn't look right on a child that age (to me, anyway). It will also make it easier for putting on and taking off. Bear in mind the growing process. My seven year old (boy) grew like a weed this past year. And he's still going strong.
Posted by: Jennifer at September 22, 2006 9:56 AMI agree with all of the above for a child's sweater. They get so tall so fast. I just don't have the resources to get in on Zimmermania or I'd be in there like a dirty shirt.
Posted by: Dorothy B at September 22, 2006 5:13 PM