Monday, March 20, 2006

Feels Like Heaven


I managed to get the colour right on this photo!

This is 70% Cashmere / 30% Silk. Feels so good you could make undergarments from it.

The gauge is 37sts and 50 rows to 10cms. 7 strands of 2/60's(thinner than sewing thread). I used a couple of strands of Oxford grey, 3 Black and a couple of French Navy knitted at 5 on the dial on the SR830, using single bed only.

It turned out exactly as I hoped it would. I love the style, it just drapes so well. Smart casual. Set in sleeves.

Finished by mattress stitch and machine washing and tumble drying. The washing / drying really brings out the full beauty of this yarn. I treat all cashmere and cashmere mixes the same. This yarn is fully machine washable, like all cashmere(at least all Ii have used, Mongolian), at 30c.

I used to be able to knit a sweater like this in a day, including finishing. This took me 4 days. Depends how I am doing. Today was crap. Spent most of it not being able to walk at all. The dogs thought my crawling around on all fours was a hoot! 1gm of paracetamol and 100gms of codiene later and I can now stand up. I HATE taking pain killers and I don't often, but today was just one of those days.

A poor picture but gives an idea of the hems I used for neck, sleeves and body.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't know if it feels like heaven but it looks like heaven!
Hope I can soon use my 830!

Anonymous said...

Hi Collin
Just figured out how to post to your blog(yeah and I am trying to learn to use a KM).
As always your taste and skill is still amazing. This looks like it would be a sensual pleasure to wear.

Anonymous said...

Colin the sweater is beautiful and I bet it feels terriff...I do love your
knits.....and by the way I looked at the puppies last week....Wish I was there
to hold them and smell that "new puppy" smell...Iove animals of any
kind.....Holding a baby animal is good for the soul.........

Anonymous said...

Another beauty Colin! It even looks soft. I can imagine long
underwear in cash/silk can't you? If I had a machine I think I would
definitely do that since I tend to keep the thermostat at 65.
Brrrrr. Thanks for showing us!

Anonymous said...

Colin, this jersey is superb. I hope to be able to produce something like this in time. Do you do the hems in a smaller stitch size?
Jan (nadandeve) Fielding

Sharon J said...

I really don't know how you do it. Knit one of those in a day? It'd take me three months! I dunno... I think I'm gonna have to stop coming over here - I just end up feeling inadequate ;-) ~Sharon x

Anonymous said...

Colin---
That sweater is breathtaking! Speaking of "feels like Heaven", I think you should be nominated to become the patron saint of machine knitters! St. Colin has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

Unknown said...

Definately not, Pat!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful as usual. You need to make a neckline video for us >. Yours
are always so neat. Am loving the yarns you are using lately.

Anonymous said...

That sweater is for the Gods! I can just feel it on my skin! You do such lovely work.

I am fasinated with your Blog. I love reading it. I already mentioned this to you before.

I've been off the OZ mail for a while, just got back on.

Glad you are feeling better. I have an OTT light. Your talk of depression is making me think. I've been in a slump for a while. Brighter days are here now in Michigan. It's been awful here this winter and spring.

Anonymous said...

Your sweaters are beautiful, the necks are fantastic you really do a good job very professional.
I am curious as to how you steam & block your sweaters, do you wash them first & dry them in the washer & dryer, or by hand?

Anonymous said...

Lovely Colin, the drape looks superb. Your finishing looks immaculate,
I suspect you are a perfectionist. I love cashmere and silk, it's a
great mixture, although I have never come across one so fine!
Jaine
PS I had to laugh at the email bit above the pic on your blog, so
true, so true. LOL

Anonymous said...

Just gorgeous!

Tracy

Annie said...

Where do you get these lovely yarns? What a lovely sweater.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely wonderful, how nice to see one of the old original hems in action again - haven't done this hem since I did a sample for my City & Guilds....

The guy who sells this yarn is really good - I got a load of Rowan 4ply from him for £1 a skein...

Susan in south-west London, UK

Unknown said...

Hi Susan - what are refrring to? I bought the cashmere/silk from a merchant in Leicester several years ago. They no longer exist.

knittingboykit said...

beautifu, Colin! I'm somewhat green with envy--i recently purchased a silk/cashmere that's sort of similar in style and it is destined to become a fav...i'd LOVE to make one!