Friday, April 07, 2017

White Pine (& Prejudice)

Complete -- what an exquisite word! Especially when it refers to a project that has caused considerable distress over the past eight month. Eight months. Because apparently I can grow a baby in about the same time it takes me to knit a single sweater...

But let's focus on the positive! My White Pine Cardigan is finished and blocked, and I am absolutely in love with it! My plan was to have this finished in time for the cold weather... oops.




The White Pine pattern by Amy Christoffers has been in my favorites for about 2 1/2 years! I was finally ready to tackle it last July, and chose Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (worsted weight), in the colorway "Conch." You probably know by now that I love the color coral, and this yarn is the perfect shade! I used the smallest size even though I was between sizes, because I generally wear my cardigans open and am not a fan of excessively bulky sweaters. Wool of the Andes is a very economical yarn (the price has actually gone down since I purchased it!), especially for an adult sweater. I ended up using 10 skeins almost exactly!




I learned a great deal from this pattern -- primarily twisted rib. Lots, and lots, and LOTS of twisted rib! I tend to dislike ribbing in general, but you'll not find me complaining about "regular" rib in the near future. I also became quite expert at fixing small errors made several rows back. In the past, such a discovery would have resulted in my tearing out every row until I reached the mistake, but now I know how to undo a few stitches (and put them back once the mistake is rectified!). I also know that this technique only works a few stitches "wide," a discovery which cost me several hours of work and re-work.






Sadly, I also learned that I did not like the way the pattern was written! After looking around a bit on Ravelry, I soon discovered that I was not the only knitter to have serious issues with the pattern. I ended up "rewriting" the pattern for myself, dividing up the steps clearly and using only the stitch counts for my size (not that there were many, which is one of my issues with the pattern). I still don't know how you are supposed to decrease in seed stitch without ending up with really wonky patches. Perhaps I need to consult a living, breathing knitter to find that out, but my solution was to simply omit the decreases (except in the sleeves, which fortunately are relatively hidden!). I am so very glad this was not my first sweater, because otherwise I think I would have been totally lost! Coupled with some errors on my part, it made the going very tedious. In fact, five months into the project and part-way through the first sleeve, I put the sweater aside.





I was eventually roused to finish it because I had other projects to start (notably a blanket for the baby-on-the-way!), and didn't want to leave this project in limbo. The last thing I need is an unfinished project cluttering my craft space or my mind. With renewed vigor, I finished the first sleeve and attacked the second. Fortunately, it didn't take long to pick up the pattern again, and I was soon humming along nicely. After bravely tackling the shoulder decreases, I was ready for the button band. That complete, all that remained were buttons and blocking.

I finished it off with the pewter buttons from Colonial Williamsburg that I mentioned recently. I'm so pleased that they're out of my stash and back in my closet! 




So that's the White Pine -- but what about the Prejudice? I'm so glad you asked! Quite simply, it was listening to the audio book of Pride and Prejudice that helped me persevere through those last steps. I have the version read by Rosamund Pike from Audible.com, and I highly recommend it! Rosamund has the most amazing voice, and reads with what I'd describe as "sedate variety" -- far from monotone, but also not distractingly dramatic. Apparently I'm on a kick of listening to books read by actors who have featured in Jane Austen film adaptations, because I immediately started Agnes Grey read by Emilia Fox once I'd finished Pride and Prejudice!

White Pine -- so many emotions knitted up in a single sweater... *wink* I will probably not be making another White Pine in the future; I am too scarred to voluntarily subject myself to the experience a second time (even though I'd doubtless have more success a second time around). But I'm glad I made the one, because I really do love the way this sweater looks! It's one of the patterns that prompted me to finally take up knitting, after all.




I must say, my manifold frustrations were nearly forgotten when my husband (who has patiently listened to me winge about this pattern many a time) observed it drying and commented on how nice it looked. I think he is still a bit surprised -- as I am myself -- when something I knit turns out looking... well, real! Fortuitously, our warm Spring weather gave way the very day after blocking, and it was dry in time to wear on one of the (presumably) last cold days this year. It may have missed most of the action this year, but it will be primed and ready to serve as a wardrobe staple next winter!




I still have three skeins of yarn left over, so at some point I'll be making myself a winter hat for next year. I realized this past winter that I need something to keep my ears warm on windy days! I can't remember the last time I had a winter hat/cap; I never really needed one in Florida. But in the meantime, I've already cast on a Blue Blanket by LondonLeo...


10 comments:

  1. This is beautiful, and I LOVE the buttons. I have a couple projects waiting on the perfect buttons.

    I've knitted lace, but I'm sweater-shy. I have a shrug I want to whip up for Easter, but we'll see.

    I love that baby blanket. I downloaded it right away because I'm always wanting to try different pattern for family babies. I think turning the cables into little owls with beads (like I've seen done on sweaters) would be adorable.

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    1. Thank you, Livia Rachelle! I'm so glad these buttons worked for this project -- especially since they have nostalgic associations for me. It can certainly be hard to find just the buttons, can't it?

      I'm still a little sweater-shy, myself. It's such a big commitment of time/materials/energy, and what if one were to get all the way through only to find out it doesn't fit properly? *shudder* But I'm growing a bit more confident with time and experience.

      I'm so glad you like the blanket pattern -- and I love that it's free! It's such a classic and understated design, in my opinion. Little cabled owls would be adorable!

      Cheers,
      Shannon

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    2. Yes, I find it easier to buy a ton of yarn for several smaller projects, rather than one large one. And I've invested in a couple sweater design classes (one on Craftsy and one on CreativeBug) for the fit fear.

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  2. Shannon,

    Your new sweater is fabulous! I can only imagine the amount of work and concentration it must have taken to complete such an involved pattern. The color and buttons are lovely too!

    I just began reading "Agnes Grey" yesterday. It has been on my "to read" list for a long time. So far I am enjoying it, but the children she is attempting to teach are driving me crazy!! Who would have thought children could have been that dreadful back then.

    Congratulations on completing such an amazing project!

    -Sarah

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    1. Sarah,

      Thank you for your sweet words! :-) I am so grateful the sweater turned out to be worth the effort, because there were certainly times along the way when I regretted ever starting it! Knitting is certainly teaching me lessons in perseverance, which is probably a good thing.

      I love "Agnes Grey" -- this is probably my fourth time through the book. Anne is actually my favorite of the Bronte sisters (her "Tenant of Wildfell Hall" is fantastic, if you haven't read it before!), followed by Charlotte's lesser-known novels ("Shirley" in particular). I completely agree about those horrid children -- so much for the good old days, eh? :-) Though I suppose it is encouraging in a sense to know that human nature is just as it has ever been... I hope you enjoy the rest of the book!

      Thanks again for your kind comment!

      Cheers,
      Shannon

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    2. Shannon,

      I am enjoying "Agnes Grey", especially now that she has meet Mr. Weston. I have read "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall", but have not read "Shirley", I own a copy, so I will hopefully read it soon.

      -Sarah

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    3. I think I also prefer the lesser known Bronte works, Charlotte's anyway. I enjoyed "Shirley" best but I also liked "Villette."

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    4. It's rare to find people who even *know* who Anne Bronte is, so it's a treat to find someone else who enjoys her books!

      Cheers,
      Shannon

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  3. A beautiful cardigan! I wish I could knit. I just finished reading Agnes Grey for the first time and really loved it. She's definitely my favourite Bronte (I was reserved about saying that when I'd only read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall') but I'm happy to now! They've just released a biography of her, which I'm tempted to read too.

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    1. Thanks, Katherine! And hurrah for another Anne Bronte fan. :-) I find her books more overtly "religious" than her sisters', and perhaps that's why she's overlooked more? Or maybe because her quieter novels can't compete with the drama of "Jane Eyre" or "Wuthering Heights?" At any rate, I'm excited to hear that there's a biography of her -- I'll have to check it out!

      Cheers,
      Shannon

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