Friday, May 04, 2007

Box-The-Compass

Someday I want to make a totally perfect sweater; one that is the right size and style for me, faultlessly crafted, and unquestionably beautiful. I finished my Box-The-Compass Sweater yesterday. It isn't perfectly perfect, but it's perfect enough for now. I made a few mistakes, I dithered over the yoke, I was impatient with the finishing. But in the end, I'm quite happy with it.


I am also agog anew over the brilliance of Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swansen. This pattern is actually from Meg's book, but she writes "The Box-The-Compass design is the result of a collaboration between Ma and me." You can not work one of these wonderful recipes without learning an enormous amount and feeling hugely accomplished when finished. I'm a believer. I want to go knocking on doors, handing out copies of Knitting Without Tears and spreading the word about EPS. Amen.

I knit the sweater in sportweight because I wanted a lightish weight wear alone sweater and not a heavier outer layer sort of sweater. I was determined not to make it into a boxy shapeless schmata reminiscent of most of the items in my closet. Because I planned this to be a wear next to your skin sweater, I worried/obsessed/fretted a lot about what yarn to use. I finally settled on Morehouse Farm Merino, after first ordering their sample notebook. This yarn is luscious. It was wonderful to knit with. It is absolutely soft enough to wear against your skin. You'd never know from the palette I chose, but it comes in a huge array of gorgeous colors. I'm starting to dream about a colorful stranded/steeked/cardigan ala EZ.




Box-The-Compass
Pattern: Box-The-Compass Yoke Sweater from Meg Swansen's Knitting
Yarn: Morehouse Farm Merino 2-strand sport weight
Needles: US size 4 (mostly) I used US size 3 for the hems (I also inadvertently used US Size 6 for a time. I'm not proud of this, but I didn't rip it out when I discovered it.)
My Favorite Parts: The hems. The faux seams. The fact that it fits like it's supposed to. The yarn.

27 comments:

Beth said...

That's an amazingly beautiful sweater! Lightyears beyond my simple Baby Surprise Jackets. :)

Anonymous said...

gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous sweater... this post made me order the book because I want a sweater like that :) I'm also going to order the yarn swatch card thingy :)

Thanks for sharing!!!
Cheers Eva - who wandered over from the Zimmermania group

Anonymous said...

It's lovely! I'm a big EZ believer as well. Very knit-world expanding stuff - I feel now like I can do anything!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Your sweater is georgous. I really love the neutral colors, but I can see how it would make you want to choose brighter colors on your next go-round. Well done.

jillian said...

Beautiful! I love the neutral colors and the fit is perfect on you!

Anonymous said...

That is QUITE nice!

Mazel tov!

Anonymous said...

It's completely lovely, and looks great on you. You've made me think I need one, too!

Unknown said...

That's beautiful!! Love your color choices and the yarn is perfect for it.

Molly said...

Beautiful work. Like, Eva, it makes me want to acquire that book. I would love to know how much yarn you used and for what bust circumference.

Anonymous said...

Love the sweater!

I am enjoying to DVDs on EZ and they are a joy! Not to mention getting a peak into her wonderfully creative mind!

Your sweater looks great!

Nancy

kt said...

Yum!

It's a stunner. Good job. Revel in it.

HPNY KNITS said...

it looks perfect to me! beautifully knit and great colors and it fits!
nice!

Taoknitter said...

Fantastic...you have inspired me to try this one...I may even have to steal your colors.

I hope you are feeling well. XO

kt said...

I'm kamsarmer@cox.net!

Hilary said...

It's gorgeous! I love it. (And I really want to see a picture of it with your face showing!!!) The colors (or lack thereof:) look really beautiful together. Great job!
Hope your trip was smooth and there's Internet access on the other end ...

Anonymous said...

At the risk of being repetitive, what a gorgeous sweater! Your color combination makes it even more elegant. I have used Morehouse Merino yarns before so I can practically feel how soft and light your pullover must be next to the skin. I made my first sweater from a Meg Swansen pattern this year (Spiral Yoke pullover) and now I am even more driven back to her books.

E to the M said...

Absolutely beautiful!

j a r e d said...

I love it, Kathy!

And I love that yarn, I can't wait to get my hands on a sweater's worth.

Wonderful work.

Mia said...

I need to get that book. I love your sweater.

Filambulle said...

You are so right to be proud. It is a goregous, simply beautiful sweater. Full of beauty. I'ld love to knit and have one.

Knitting Bandit said...

Great sweater. It looks like it'll be the one you pull out of closet when you wanna relax, be comfy, but still look good!

Anonymous said...

Oh, that one is a beauty, thanks for showing the yoke detail.

MandellaUK said...

Hi Kathy, KT sent me over here. I haven't visited before, but I certainly will again.

The sweater is beautiful and your choice of colour very elegant. I agree that when you knit anything the Zimmermann ladies have had a hand in, you learn an awful lot.

Ketchikan Choc said...

Wow. You chose beautiful colors and did a wonderful job. The sweater is gorgeous. Be careful, if I ever get to your town, it just might end up in my suitcase. ;-)

Anonymous said...

i like it!!

..but i cant...remember seeing you in it :P

sweetfigs said...

It's a lovely, classic sweater. I'll bet that Morehouse Merino is nice to work with.

Jules said...

This is lovely! And that you used Morehouse makes it even better, as I'm sure it's really soft. It's an inspiration--well done!