Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

ElizabethM@17 — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:45:04 GMT

Here at Fibersmyth eight of us are knitting Nora's Sweater as a Knit Along - what fun! So many great techniques. We are all using Berroco's Ultra Alpaca to keep the price point down and to add the memory of wool to the alpaca for shape-keeping. Most of us are making the size larger than we'd usually wear in order to give that yummy slimming flow this pattern cries out for. I'm using the Celtic Cables design from one of Alice Starmore's books on mine, and winter white to show all the fabulous stitch work. Can't wait to wear it!

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

JINNAC — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:03:04 GMT

I'm making it out of Berrocco "Weekend" (Weekend Periwinkle). Love working with this yarn (75% acrylic, 25% cotton). The insert was challenging but I got the help I needed at my fav LYS and got through it. Now I have to wait until they open to get help on starting the sleeve cable pattern. Thanks to my LYS (Amazing Threads in Maple Grove, MN)!

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

Tltafa — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:56:33 GMT

Finished the sweater! IT's drop-dead gorgeous. Added some I-cords inside (and hidden when not in use) the collar, attached to the seam between the yoke/sleeve and fronts. It is to die for. BTW, the smallest size fits me perfectly (which one could never have figured out from the pattern as there are no body measurements. For once, I didn't have to 'size it down', and I wear a size 4-6.

I did block the collar after attaching, so that the 'rolled edge' has a nice finished look as it folds, and to keep the collar from 'shrinking' from the weight at the center back.

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

janetma — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:01:52 GMT

I like the look and drape of this garment but fail to understand the need for pleats. Knit fabric is such a wonderful elastic material that can be modified with short rows, increases and decreases. Why add such bulk and weight as pleats when fit can be accomplished without them?

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

Tltafa — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:51:02 GMT

Okay...all the pieces are done and blocked, with the sleeves still drying. The collar/band is sitting on two holders, pending determination of the final length needed (since it doesn't say in the pattern.) I'm thinking I'll block that piece after all other assembly is done, and I've fitted it and bound both halves off together. NOW I have a problem. I'm not sure what the best way to join the double thickness of the pleated portion of the fronts and back to the single thickness of the yoke/back panel. Clearly, having lumps over the pleats is not too attractive. Don't know why this didn't occur to me earlier! Has anyone gotten far enough with this to have determined what would be the best method? Back stich doesn't seem to be a vgood option as it will add thickness. I'm not sure about the viability of mattress or kitchener through a double layer on one piece and and a single layer on another...withough stretching the single layer. HELP????

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

Tltafa — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:28:45 GMT

I'm making it in a slightly lighter purple, an alpaca, merino, silk blend. I've just finished the back, and it's gorgeous! Now, on to the fun pieces. ;-) My concern is that no 'body measurements are given'. Normally, I can determine actual finished measurements of the garment from the pattern measurements. With the pleating, not so! I'm a 36", I'm making the 381/2, and crossing my fingers!!!

If it's too big for my size 4-6 body, I'll give it to my size 6-8 sister for her birthday! I'm quite enjoying the pattern, thus far.

Terry

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

Racheltim — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:52:45 GMT

There is a problem with the ribbing - I can't find any errata, either!

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

NinaT@5 — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:27:08 GMT

I am also not sure what size to make. I would love to see the sweater on different sized "real" people. Should I make it with 2" of ease or 6"?

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

ArnettaD — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:25:50 GMT

I love the sweater. Thanks for the list of alternative yarns to use. There is a lot of excitement over this sweater at my LYS so maybe I can get a KAL started.

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

judith g — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:13:54 GMT

any chance of seeing Nora's sweater worn on various "real" people as Sandi Wisehart did when she was editor of KD? It would be immensely helpful to see how that yoke/sleeve piece fits!!

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

Lang AnhP — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:40:41 GMT

I love this new feature you are adding! Wonderful! Keep up the good work!

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

Kathleen Cubley — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:10:53 GMT

Hi Folks.

I just did some Photoshop magic on the first photo of the sweater, and it's much clearer now. I'll keep this in mind for future sweater photos when the sample is worked from dark yarn.

Kathleen

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

Kathleen Cubley — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:38:44 GMT

Misti Alpaca Worsted is just that, a worsted weight yarn that knits up on size 6 to 8 US needles at 18 to 20 stitches over 4 inches.

Cascade 220 is a good alternative if you want 100 percent wool. Or Berroco Comfort will work, it's a blend of acrylic and nylon—really soft and allergy free. Encore is a budget-conscious choice; it's a blend of wool and acrylic. Shine Worsted or Swish Worsted from KnitPicks are other non-acrylic options.

Hope this helps!

Kathleen

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

MelisaM — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:58:29 GMT

I have to join the crowd in asking for a non-alpaca yarn alternative, please.

re: Sweater Workshop: Nora's Sweater

MelisaM — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:53:50 GMT

The sweater workshop is a great idea. I'm so glad you've decided to do it with each issue. Thanks!