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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Hearth Sweater for Women

At long last, the Hearth Sweater in women's sizes is ready to share!

This classic cardigan hoodie knits up relatively quickly since it calls for dk-weight yarn.  The Berroco Vintage that I used for the sweater pictured here was an affordable $8 a skein.

The sweater is knit flat and doesn't use any skills more difficult than Kitchener Stitch and Double Knitting the belt (and video links are included to help you through the more advanced techniques!)

So treat yourself to a versatile new hoodie.  Knit it in a neutral for a piece that goes with anything, or in a fun color for a sweater that will jazz up your wardrobe a bit.  One of the testers even opted to use red and pink stripes in a sweater that came out looking fantastic!


This sweater is designed to fit with 0-3 inches of negative ease in the bust, with a "fitted look" at the shoulders and chest.  The waist is shaped with decreases, and pulls you in at the smallest point for most women - think "1950's-era waist" rather than the lower "waist" we are more used to today.  The ribbed waistband and skirt that eases over the hips both give a generous fit.

The reversible belt is double-knit, so both sides have the look of stockinette stitch.  The belt fastens to the back of the sweater with two buttons.  Removing the belt entirely is easy, and you won't be left with belt loops that make you feel like you're wearing a bathrobe!  

Don't be afraid of the double knitting.  I posted two videos to my blog's video page - one showing you exactly how to cast on for the double knitting, and one showing how to work the stitches.  My testers all agreed that the belt takes longer to knit than you would think, but no one had any real stumbling blocks with it.









I had fun photographing this sweater down by the river on a very foggy day.





Check out the background fog.  And I didn't even have to rent a smoke machine!


















The sleeves are worked from stitches picked up around the arm hole, and the sleeve cap is shaped with short rows.  I'm working on a video this week that is intended to accompany a sock pattern that I'm currently working on, but it'll work for this pattern, too since it will demonstrate how to make your short rows look really nice.  So if you're a short-row novice, you might want to check the video page at the end of this week and take a look at the short-row video.

I loved the Berroco Vintage DK yarn that I used, but Knit Picks City Tweed DK,  Madelinetosh DK, or Dream in Color's Everlasting DK would all result in a beautiful project!  One tester worked her sweater in red and pink stripes for a modern take on this classic shape, and it turned out beautifully!

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