a silk sweater for cooler weather
May 7, 2012
I made this sweater thinking that I would be needing a simple sweater while visiting Thailand. The temperature has been so so hot! I have only used a sweater when traveling in cars, taxis, buses, airplanes, etc. So this sweater is finished, and will probably wait until I am in a slightly cooler climate to be worn.
But it turned out well! I adapted the pattern from a Jo Sharp cardigan that I like. I took out the waist shaping and added a garter border around the front, and ribbing on the bottom.
The yarn is beautiful Silken Straw, by Alchemy yarns. Each strand is made up of many tiny threads pressed together and dyed. When the garment is washed and blocked, the material softens, and takes on a beautiful drape. Each skein is hand dyed, and so there can be a bit of variation from skein to skein. To help balance the color, I kept changing the balls of yarn as I moved from piece to piece.
Also, I knit the back of the sweater using two skeins of yarn at the same time. One for the right side, and one for the left. This created a seam up the middle, and I liked the division of color. It was especially interesting in the upper back when the yarn began to pool in different ways.
living in the woods and making stuff 
May 7, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Sweater came out great!
May 9, 2012 at 4:41 am
It looks great! When I travel where I know it will be hot, I always bring a light but warm shawl made of lace weight merino, mohair or cashmere. It folds up to next-to-nothing and can be kept safely in a tote or briefcase until you need to ward of the frigid airconditioned air!
May 18, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Beautiful work – I also loved the picture of the wool left overs in the trunk made by Duncan. Under the Gallery section of my blog you will find pictures of what I’ve created with “left over” yarn. Looks like you have more than enoug to make similar pieces of wearable art.