Finished, or, Salina in a Shower of Ginko Leaves.

Finished: Salina Sweater by Kim Hargreaves
Pattern: Rowan Vintage Knits
Fiber: Rowan Felted Tweed (7 balls of 159 "Carbon")
Size: 38''/97 cm
Needles: sizes 3 and 5 Addi Turbo circs
Date Started: 7 September 2006
Date Completed: 12 November 2006
Modifications: None
Notes: I came very, very, VERY close to running out of yarn during this knit. I got down to knitting the cuffs and collar, and, having finished the two cuffs, I ran out of yarn when going back to finish the collar. I had to unravel my swatch (which was good sized, approx. 8x8" square), so I managed to squeak by with enough yarn to finish the collar and seam the sweater together. I would like to note, however, that I knit the size large, which called for 7 balls of yarn, and the x-large also calls for 7 balls, and I'm willing to bet that anyone knitting an x-large is *very* likely to need 8 balls, instead of 7.



I absolutely heart this sweater. The pattern is very easy, and, for some reason, I didn't mind the endless stockinette...I'm betting that it has something to do with the awesome-amazingness I feel when knitting with Felted Tweed. I love Felted Tweed a whole heckuva-lot. It's fluffy, squishy and smooth, with few to no twiggy organic bits, and the colors are amazing! The colorway I used, Carbon, is so nice and subtle. It's a beautiful charcoal grey, but it has burnt orange and periwinkle flecks in it - very nice. Colors that will be right at home in my wardrobe.



As always, the details in a sweater pattern are what get me excited about the knit. And there's no shortage of artful details on this sweater. The moss-stitched band of ribbing along the lower body is quite nice, and the moss-stitched sleeve cuffs and collar are super-pretty and eye-catching. And the split neck and placket for buttons is also a great (and functional!) detail. And I love the way the cute little shell buttons I chose look! They're very glinty in person.





The shaping built into the pattern is really nice, as well. I wanted to avoid knitting a shapeless bag at all costs, and I chose this pattern because it looked well-shaped, and, it turns out, it is. There's few things more pleasing than a perfect-fitting sweater for Fall. I'll be wearing the heck out of this one! (And will probably be knitting it again).



Look how well it works for keeping me warm and stylish while doing some early morning frolicking in ginko-leaf-heaven!



I couldn't have found a more gorgeous street this morning...and a mere block from my apartment. What a beautiful morning. Which, as it happened, was followed by a persistent and cold, bleary rain that didn't let up for the rest of the day. Inconvenience for some, perfect weather for knitting bliss.



And, as always, Michael wielded the camera with patience and brilliance.