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.

I Know It's Finally Spring Because ...

This is all that is left of my lovely SnowKnitter:

And because I am almost finished with a wool sweater. It seems that I am always a season behind with my knitting. But I am closing in on the end of my Box the Compass sweater..stay tuned!


And it is my first blogiversary! I have really enjoyed adding this component to my passion for knitting. Sharing images and capturing knitterly moments in words, exchanging thoughts and ideas and support with fellow knitters - I'm looking forward to seeing what Year Two brings!

Happy May Day!

Back To The Important Stuff

Slow knitting progress around here lately, and now that spring is springing, it's hard to muster enthusiasm for a wool sweater - no matter how lovely the merino yarn from which it is being knit. It's also hard to make black stockinette blog worthy. I'm at the point where no matter how much I knit, it doesn't seem to grow.

I keep thinking I'm ready to attach the sleeves and then I re-measure and find I'm not. I'm not even sure the sleeves are long enough yet. Sigh .. I'm SO ready to begin the yoke. I have faith that once I begin the yoke I'll be spurred on to just fly through the rest so I can move on to THIS:


The next project in the queue. I can't wait to begin another lace project!

There are some around here who think soccer is the Important Stuff. And so we traveled to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory last weekend so that both boys could participate in a soccer tournament. It was a great weekend with many games played and some knitting accomplished. I took along my poor neglected sock that has been on the needles forever. Here's my traveling sock photo, ala The Yarn Harlot. It seemed only fitting to pay her tribute while visiting Canada. My son is holding up the sock for me. The other guy was outside of our hotel.

Hemming and Hawing

My Box-the-Compass sweater is underway. The cleverly constructed contrasting hem is behind me and now I have miles of plain black stockinette ahead of me. I'm finding it very soothing right now. I'll let you know when I'm ready to poke myself in the eye with a knitting needle.

The hem was enormously satisfying to work. What a wonderful detail. I chose the knit together as you go option seen here and how to'd here, rather than the add on at the end and sew up option. I'm pleased with my results.

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As always, thanks to everyone who leaves me such nice comments. I do love comments, and I would reply to each and every one, but often cannot because I have no way to reach you. Blogger doesn't provide me with commenter's email addresses. Feel free to email me (my email address is available in my profile) if you want to hear back from me.

Mail Call

I've been on a bit of an ordering binge lately. I believe it's a method of retail therapy designed to beat the mid-winter doldrums. Nothing like having goodies arrive in the mail to bring cheer to a gloomy day.

Yesterday afternoon's mail brought the much anticipated Morehouse Farm Merino 2-Ply that I finally settled on as my yarn of choice for my next sweater project.


This yummy stuff's destiny is a Yoke Sweater a la Elizabeth Zimmerman, though the pattern, Box-the Compass, is actually from Meg Swansen's book.

I have dutifully swatched,

and I am ready to cast on ..