FO: Tweedy Flax Sweater

Dear Reader,

I know what you are thinking: another Flax sweater? Really? Do you knit anything else?

I mean, I don't blame you for thinking that. I'M thinking that too.

The fact is, I've knit 4 versions of the Flax sweater, 2 in fingering weight, and two in worsted/aran.

This, however, is the first time I've altered it more than striping Christmas colors.

You're curious now. Ok, Here's the list:

1. Sam's first Flax Light

2. Flax Light in the Pumpkin Spice colorway

3. Sam's Christmas Flax

4. This one on this page. You've arrived. (Ravelry project page.)

Pattern: Flax Sweater from TincanKnits

Needles: US 6 and US 8

Yarn: de-stashing 6 skeins of Caron Simply Soft Tweeds (from 2003! I was in college.)

Size: M

Started: February 2018    Completed: January 23, 2019

Modifications: see notes below

Clearly, I made a few modifications. If you are familiar with the Flax sweaters, you know that it's just a top-down raglan with a nice garter stitch panel along the sleeves and 1.5'' of 1x1 ribbing on all edges.

My modifications notes for the size M:

1.) Slit hem ribbing: on the round before the ribbing, add 8 sts evenly to the front of the sweater and 16 sts to the back of the sweater, and then put the back sts on a separate circular needle and work the front for at least 3'', BO, and work at least 4.5'' of ribbing for the back. Next time, I would add another inch or two of stockinette and then work 4.5'' for the front ribbing hem and 6-7'' for the back ribbing hem. 

2.) Sleeves: knit sleeve 15'.5'' total before doing a 4'' (1x1) ribbing. 

3.) Button Panel: pick up 34 sts along the diagonal increase armline on the yoke (I choose the right side), starting from under the ribbing on the yoke to the underarm. Knit in garter stitch for 1.3''. BO loosely. Sew ends to sweater. Attach 3 buttons. 

This sweater has been a few places: family trips, piano lessons, car rides, couches, and more.

 

I think it looks rather dashing.

Ok...stay warm, folks! It's in the negatives here in the northern suburb of Chicago and won't get any better this coming week. I had to buy my Civic a new car battery on Monday. How fun! Cosy sweater wearing it is this week! 

What's on the needles?  Noro "Hermione's Everyday Socks"

Future knitting plans: The Weekender, from Andrea Mowry

Upcoming FO post: French Press Slippers! Stay tuned.

FO: Sam's Christmas Flax Sweater

This is a little, erm, after the fact.

Sam's Christmas Flax sweater was completed two weeks before Christmas Eve, but between the hustle and bustle of the time of year, plus the fact that these photos were stored on the internal memory of my camera (and for some reason the camera didn't want to appear on my computer while plugged in)...I am finally showing these now!

Pattern: Flax by Tincanknits

Yarn: I Love This Yarn! (aran weight) in "Aubergine" and "Marled Forest"

Needles: US 6 and US 8

Started: October 1st, 2018      Completed: December 12, 2018

(Above ^^) This is always my favorite point of the sweater. Rounds are short, and you can see the thing swiftly take shape.

The area about two or so inches down from the point where you separate for the sleeves is another favorite (less stitches! Things are really coming together now!) of mine.  

This project was brought everywhere--boys' piano lessons, while in the car before helping at a school Halloween party, watching a show, etc. 

Unfortunately, I did not get to Jake's maroon (MC) and heathered blueish black (CC) version. I will save that for next fall, I guess. Jake didn't seem to mind, since Sam was the one who requested this sweater in the first place. (Oh, and it had to be "non-scratchy yarn" too.) I told the boys that they could share this version until they each had their own.

I made it large enough to fit next year too. The sleeves are long, the sweater is long enough, but I hope that the body circumference is large enough for his growing body! But hey, it stretches, it will be good!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! Happy New Year!