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January 21, 2007
Tips for knitting the Bamboo Sweater
The pattern that’s in the Winter 06/07 Issue of Vogue Knitting is pretty much as I wrote it, with one exception – I also charted it. I would recommend charting it, especially if you’re resizing it.
The pattern is not difficult to resize – it is a 16 stitch repeat of 4 stitch units. You can change the width by four stitches units on either side, but be sure to center the pattern - that’s why charting helps. However, the four sizes written out in the Vogue pattern cover all permutations. If you change the number of repeats in the body, one of those sizes should work.
The shoulder shaping is a simple notched armhole that you can make shallower or deeper, again by four stitch units.
If I were to knit the pattern again, I would make it in thinner yarn (a matter of personal preference) and raise the front neck opening about ½-1 inch from the model. I believe I did this in the pattern. For a man, it should be 2 ½ to 3 inches from the top. This might mean deleting one repeat of baby cables from the collar, but don't omit the one with the decreases in it.
Wrap the stitches way I describe in the directions (going round the back first). It’s much prettier than the other way.
It’s definitely possible to substitute yarns in this pattern, even yarn of a different gauge, but that will take resizing. This pattern is meant to be made with a cabled yarn such as Trendsetter yarn used in the pattern, Filatura di Crosa Zara, Karabella Aurora, or Baruffa Maratona. There are several other cabled yarns on the market, but I would stick with that type of yarn because of the crisp stitch definition.
Enjoy. If you knit it, let me know.
Posted by Leigh Witchel at January 21, 2007 3:21 PM
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Comments
I was looking at a Mill's Fleet Farm calander and was thinking...every second, I am closer to death. I am 51 years old, with four dogs and 2 cats, wild turkeys waddleing about the yard and deer feasting at the bird feeders. Now, that is a good life. While I, gazing at a farm calander, wishing I could think of something fun, outrageous or boring to knit. Maybe a knit shovel handle cover or a cozy ice fishing seat cover. Hmmmm I wish I had a virgin Stitch N' Bitch Calander to distract me from my impending death, because, you never know...............
Posted by: Kris at January 21, 2007 8:14 PM
YAY, I've just turned my DDIL onto knitting! Previously she'd been the one to hold ME back on yarn accumulation and just today she told me she's been going thru knitting withdrawal! Her twins broke her needle & she hasn't been able to knit. Hee hee hee. . . I've FINALLY had my revenge! And boy is it sweet. . .another one over to the dark side. . . .
Posted by: leslie averill at January 21, 2007 8:16 PM
Hey, I saw a woman knitting this pattern in The Point a while back. Just after publication. She was using that looked like a Baruffa cashsilk. Same grey. gorgeous. Bet it was for her.
Posted by: Spinneret at January 21, 2007 8:29 PM