The Sweatshop of Love Blog

I’ve been hesitating to call this my February Sweater for the Knit a Sweater a Month Challenge because, well.

Body Mostly Done

I accidentally almost finished the body of Caitlin’s Sweater.

Cabled Front Edging

Original Cabled Fronts

There is a crocheted button hole band and neck edging, so other than that, which is a finishing touch, I think it looks pretty good!

Sweater's Body Stitch

I’ve got the body stitch down and it isn’t driving me too crazy. It’s like the lazy man’s seed stitch. And you all know I am a lazy man when it comes to seed stitch.

Half Rib Seed Stitch Thing

So this sweater is perfect!

I jumped the gun on the January Sweater (blasted January Sweater) so I don’t want to do it again. I was sad and I wanted to knit a sweater. Maybe I’ll have it finished by the 1st so I can start another sweater?

I might have a problem.

The Target

A few weeks ago I spotted this sweater on my friend Caitlin and fell in love. After a lot of inappropriate groping I asked to borrow it.

Tiny Pockets, Cables

Caitlin said she got it at a resale shop, so it took me a lot longer than it should have to realize this is a hand-knit sweater. It just didn’t dawn on me that someone would donate a hand knit. My mom pointed out that the knitter might have just outgrown it, or gave the sweater to someone who didn’t like it.

I Mean, Cables on the Sleeves!

So I’m going to do something I’ve never done before and recreate this sweater with no pattern or direction. It’s a worsted weight wool or wool blend in a seed stitch rib with 6 sts cables and a single crochet button band and collar edging. Simple, right?  … … right?

Single Crochet Button Band

Have you ever attempted to write a pattern based on an existing knit? Any help would be great!

... There Was a Sale!

I went a little crazy at JoAnn this morning in anticipation of tackling Caitlin’s sweater. All of the yarn at JoAnn was on sale and today was the last day! What was I supposed to do?

I got four skeins of Paton’s Classic Wool in Jade Heather that I’m really excited to jump into for this sweater! I am always knitting other people green things but never myself.

I also picked up six skeins of Bernat Satin in Admiral. The blue is stunning and it was on super sale. I’ve never used it before but it’s really soft and perfect for a project I can’t get out of my head.

Reglan Wrap

Next to the yarn in the picture you can see I snagged my own copy of Boutique Knits from Tara! Everyone at The Sweatshop has been ogling the projects in this book forever and it hasn’t left my coffee table since I got it. Specifically this Reglan Wrap! I must have it. I think it will be really pretty in that blue.

Oh, and that huge skein of Bernat Cotton was half off and perfect for these:

Crocheted Flower Hot Pads

These are so pretty and perfect last minute hostess gifts. Or, for me. And probably for my mom once she reads this post.

I can’t possibly sit here on the computer any longer with all this yarn around me and not be knitting. Have a great (wild card) weekend!