One More Time

Interviewee responds
Kristine has posted her answers . I grilled and she rose to the challenge, even including a photo from high school. Go have a peek. I promise you won't regret it.

Debbie Bliss Herringbone Sweater
Here are the details on the Debbie Bliss Herringbone Sweater. It's a summary from my projects notebook and previous blog entries. I was looking for a basic pull-over, suitable for a boy, more interesting than stocking stitch, knitted in DK weight wool for every day wear.

Debbie Bliss Herringbone Sweater

Pattern Source: Family Knits by Debbie Bliss
Yarn: Original Yarn Rowan Denim 20sts x 28 rows
substituted with Rowan Wool Cotton 22-24sts x 30-32 rows
# of balls: 6 and a half
Needles: 3.25mm, 4mm
Meterage: 113m
Yarn Source: Stash from Liberty January Sale 2003
Colour: Moonshine (a dusky blue) Dye Lot 17E1
Size: n/a, to fit a 4 year old child
Started: 8th August 2003
Finished: 31 August 2003
Resting Period: 15 - 27th August
Recipient : TBA

Project Notes

1. The pattern sizes available were from 2-4, 4-6 year old. The child that I'm knitting for is 4 yo. Knitting in the smaller size would be outgrown too quickly, while the larger size would probably be too big. So I took this into consideration when resizing the pattern.

2. Wool Cotton knits to a different tension than Rowan Denim. I adjusted the pattern for this and I also adjusted the finished size using the size provided as a guideline. I took the knitted (pre-shrunk) size of the larger garnent and adjusted all the lengths by 15%. (Denim loses 20% of the length after a hot wash and dry) So I was knitting the width in the larger size and the 15% less on the length. (Debbie Bliss pull-overs for children tend to be generously sized, this is not true for the 'neat' garments. Since you need more stitches to get the same width, I was able to use the horizontal instructions from the larger size.)

3. I added 5 extra rows on the collar in stocking stitch so that I would have a roll in the collar, which is easier to pull over the head than ribbing. The roll also does a better job at hiding the cast-off.

4. This herringbone stitch looks deceptively easy to knit, as you are knitting and purling on both sides of the fabric, it can get a bit fiddly and tricky, since the pattern is difficult to read from the pattern. You might find it easier to put the chart into a plastic page protector, and safety pin the chart to the fabric, until you are used to the pattern. (It's the 3rd row of the 4 row pattern that is the one most likely to go wrong).

5. The body was knit in the round and only back and forth from the armholes. The shoulders are short-row shaped and then joined using 3 needle bind-off. The sleeves were cast-on and knitted together. I find that this is the easiest thing to do when doing stocking stitch and I can't be bothered to use a stitch counter.

6. I blocked it using the steam jet on my iron (the iron never touched the knitted fabric). .. just squirted the steam until the stitches evened out.

Photo Shoot
On 30th August, I have 2 sleeves done and have just started the herringbone. I'm using my addis as a stitch-holder.

Ta-da! It's done. Here's how the front looks laying flat on the floor. I think knitwear never looks good unless it's worn.

Here's a shot of it hanging up. I was worried that the herringbone might be too 'heavy' for the stocking stitch body. That happened with Raewyn, another Debbie Bliss design that I was never happy with because the sweater looked top-heavy.

Anyway, I hope to get a photo of the recipient wearing it, as it's in the post and on the way.

Are you still awake? ... if you ever want to do this design, or need a little Wool Cotton in moonshine (lot 17E1) or want some help to convert a denim pattern to wool cotton... it's all here for future prosperity.

Posted by atu at September 2, 2003 08:15 PM