Saturday, November 29, 2008

Who Said Anything About Cashmere?

Somewhere between avoiding the black, stockinette, sportweight, cashmere crew neck and working out how I want to design my Transitions sweater when my Silky Merino arrives, I discovered that this had spontaneously generated on my needles:

The yarn reminds me so much of the colors of fall leaves--I mean, as far as I remember; it's been more than a decade since I've seen any in person--that I just have to call this one Autumn Leaves. The yarn is bulky merino from www.handpaintedyarn.com, which, as I understand it, is the actual source of Malabrigo yarn.

You can order their yarns directly, but not the famous worsted weight singles that everyone calls Mmmalabrigo. That is only available through retailers at twice the price. This bulky weight is a ten-ply and appears to be machine-spun, but it is still hand dyed and just as soft as Malabrigo, only much, much cheaper. (Being a multi-ply, I expect it will also wear much better.) I have also bought their dk weight and their laceweight--wonderful, all. This particular colorway does not exist. It was listed under "odds and ends" about two years ago, and I've never seen it before or since. I bought all they had at the time, so it may in fact be one of a kind. To keep things interesting, I chose a pattern for which I might almost have enough yarn.

This is the pattern. I have modified it (of course). Mine is longer, has a bit of waist shaping, uses a different stitch pattern for the body, and will probably have a somewhat higher neckline. That depends in large part on whether I have enough yarn to do what I want. It's definitely going to be close, but I have an ace in the hole. Anyone remember this?

This is the cap I knitted for my son last year when he was instructed to "dress like a 19th century immigrant" for school. Same yarn. If necessary, it will become the ribbing for this sweater.

I have the back, both fronts, and part of a sleeve done. Ahhh, bulky weight! It'll be a few days before I get it done, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. And then I'll be, um, casting on the cashmere.

11 comments:

theresa said...

Yes, that yarn is amazing. I ordered the same in "capresse" ages ago and am still waiting for the right pattern...I like the one you've picked. I'd change the main st pattern too, that trinity st looks quite bulky and would take forever. Can't wait to see your FO. Hurry before the cashmere arrives!

Unknown said...

wonderful colours again. I don't think I know anyone who knits more than you do. What a good mum to knit that hat for your son for a school project. Will you be mine? (forget the math!)

sophanne said...

Looks like the perfect yarn/pattern combination. Fortunately I swore off all bulky weight just before I read your post. What kind of needles are you using?

CatBookMom said...

Lovely yarn colorway. I still have some of the worsted weight yarn from handpainted.com, before all the production became 'malabrigo'. Wish I'd gotten more!

And thanks for the link to Naturally Caron - yet another few patterns in my Queue.

Fibra Artysta said...

That yarn is gorgeous and I love that sweater! I printed it off, its good for stumpy people like me.

I just picked up some laceweight Malibrigo, am looking forward to knitting with it. I think there is some kind of crack in that yarn that you absorb through your skin when you use it. Its definitely one of my favorites.

Kim said...

Oh boy, that yarn looks gorgeous! And that sweater! Me likey. Perfect antidote to black stockinette. Can hardly wait to see it finished!

crochetgurl said...

Wow that yarn looks so squishy! Out of curiousity, why did your son have to dress as a 19th century immigrant for school?

By the way, I finally posted FO pics of my Opulent Raglan. Thanks for the help with it. Your sweater was the one that actually got me to cast on for it. :-)

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Love the yarn.

I also am laughing at your description of "mods" "longer body, waist shaping, different stitch pattern, and higher neckline" I think those might go past "mods" and straight to "I made up my own pattern" :)

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Your immigrant is too cute! And I am so impressed that you tracked down the source for Malabrigo--nice sleuthing!

Life's a Stitch said...

Thanks for the tip, I'm heading over to look.

Anonymous said...

Wow that yarn look's fantastic!Thanks for an idea!