Finished Project: Rusty Nail

Finished Project: Rusty Nail

Pattern: Icelandic Star by Sarah Hoadley; Interweave Knits Winter 2009

Yarn: Berrocco Ultra Alpaca

Needles: US3 for ribbing and US5 for stockingknit

Duration: January 10, 2010 to February 20, 2010

Modifications: Knit a different gauge; sweater circumference = 30”; longer sleeves and body; and i-cord edging to attach zipper instead of button band.

Pattern Reflections: I found the pattern easy to follow and I didn’t notice any mistakes. I, however, do wish I had steeked the sweater. The fair isle pattern is not difficult in the purl direction but I had a hard time figuring out how to hold the yarn in two hands. It would have been faster not purling.

Modifications: I added four inches to the sleeves, are my arms are freakishly long? I also four inches to the body because cozy wool sweaters and exposed belly buttons are a fashion contradiction, not to mention itchy. My blocked gauge was 20 stitches = 4” (pattern: 17 stitches = 4”) so I knit the 40.25” bust size to get a 30” bust sweater. I knit a few extra yoke rows to compensate for my different row gauge. I also added a zipper. Instead of fixing the zipper to a button band, I knit an i-cord edging, similar to that in the Vivian pattern. The edging is knit along the sweater edge and requires no picking up of stitches. To create the edging, assuming RS = odd, I slipped the first three stitches every other knit row (row 1, 5, 9) and every other purl row (row 2, 6, 10).

Size and Fit Reflections: I really like how this sweater fits, a 30” circumference suits me nicely. The sweater would have been a disaster without the added length to the sleeves and body. I am a little unhappy with the metal zipper which bulges a little. I think the zipper is too sturdy for the sweater. I purchased the zipper at a JoAnn Fabrics in Denver, the selection was very poor. The journey to the store was also not convenient; I need to find an online supplier since there is no local crafting store.

Yarn Reflections: I have been wearing the sweater heavily for a month and there is no pilling. I do find it very itchy. I think I have a sensitivity to alpaca as only soft, alpaca sweaters, and not stiff, woolly sweaters, seem to aggravate my skin. I love Ultra Alpaca’s colors, yardage, price, and softness.