the blue blog archives: ripping and other consequences of knitting for your family

Speaking of handknits that aren't getting worn... remember the brown butter vest I knit for my husband last year? Yup, it has yet to make it out of the closet. I love this vest and would wear it myself, but it's way too long and baggy. So, it will seed the pile for the next rip-along. If I ever make it through the ten projects I'm currently working on or have waiting in the wings, I'll frog it and make the women's hooded version of this vest for myself with the recycled yarn (and the two balls I had left over and have never used!).

So what have we learned? Hubby is not a vest person and mom is not a hat person. Still not convinced about that second revelation, I finished my mom's new big hat during her weekend visit. She says she'll wear it. We'll see (and, no, she did not remember to bring the first hat and mitten set back).

I ran out of the green Rowanspun Chunky yarn, which didn't match my mother's black gloves anyway, so I added a touch of black on the crown and around the ribbing. I used Rowan's new Yorkshire Tweed, which has the exact same color flecks in it as the Rowanspun and so coordinates very nicely.

Speaking of Yorkshire Tweed. Remember the lace pattern that I swatched up last week from the Jess sweater in that book? Fellow Knitsmith Carrie thought the pattern looked similar to one of her rip-along projects, which was a sweater from a vintage Rowan book. Well, compare for yourself. A Yorkshire Fable, circa 2003 and Rowan No. 4, circa 1988. Busted! Glad Carrie brought in the "original", because I really love the cardigan version from the old Rowan book. Don't you?

posted by alison at 9:13 am | in accessories , brown butter

Comments

"Busted!" is right. I would definitely join a Jess knitalong at some point. Very pretty. Are you thinking of the cardi? I like your Mom's hat. Of course, I LOVED the hat and mitten set, too. And the sweater you knit up out of the same (?) yarn. Anytime you want to unload all three, you know who to call. :)

Posted by: Kerstin at January 26, 2004 9:33 AM

The cardi is very sweet. All your ripping is inspiring me to finally rip out a few things I've had stashed away. Have you just been rewinding the yarn, or have you wet it to get the kinks out first?

Posted by: kathy at January 26, 2004 10:31 AM

Yah, I also noticed that Rowan is recycling patterns. What up?

Posted by: Anita at January 26, 2004 11:51 AM

yeah rowan is infamous for recycling in my book. (not that there's anything wrong with it.) they always do the same sweater in a different yarn in the following summer book after a winter, or vice versa, or they show it primarily on a kid and then the next season the same pattern shows up on an adult. it's pretty humorous to try and spot them, or to flip through old mags, going a-ha!! :)

Posted by: carolyn at January 26, 2004 12:39 PM

Well, they must be pretty dumb at Rowan if they think knitters don't notice these things but on the other hand: they probably think we'll foregive them because their designs and yarns are so beautiful... And we do, sigh! ;-)

Posted by: lone at January 26, 2004 1:20 PM

I love the cardigan version, but I'll probably make it without the collar, I like the picot on the scooped neck... anyone for those lace pants? It's been so cold I could almost imagine wearing them! I'm with Kerstin, if there's ever a Jessalong, sign me up...

Posted by: carrie at January 26, 2004 4:39 PM

Busted~! maybe Kim Hargreaves needs a vacation?

I have a sweater in the same green shade of Rowanspun Chunky I made for myself. Love that color!

Posted by: Kristine at January 26, 2004 8:31 PM

love the cardigan!!! I didn't know that they recycled old patterns like that though.

Oh! wanted to let you know that I'd like to join the Rip-Along!!! I've already ripped one sweater, I'll take pics and post them tomorrow and 2 more are on the chopping block :) Thanks!!

Posted by: Carissa at January 26, 2004 10:47 PM

Thanks for hosting the rip-along. I took apart a shell in Cascade Sierra last night. Its 80% cotton and 20% wool. Has anyone ever reused this yarn? Did you wash it after you ripped? I want to use it for the must-have cardi, if I can find another 2 skeins of it.
thanks for all the inspiration.

Posted by: Linda m at January 27, 2004 9:14 AM