FO: Saffron Jacket

I've been experiencing a lot Rowan love recently; really, it's like I've discovered it (late) for the first time. I bought a handful of magazines, which I'd been ogling, including New Shapes by Sarah Hatton. I've been wanting to make something with Big Wool for a long time, and thanks to a sale at Jimmy Beans Wool, I scored eight balls in Camouflage for a good price, originally intending to make the beautiful cover design, Anise. My husband convinced me that a peacoat was not the best design for me, since I am (a) petite and, um, (b) not nearly as flat-chested as the model (i.e., the sweater would make me look wide and squat). Okay, okay.

Second choice was Saffron. Actually second choice was Caraway, but that requires Little Big Wool. For once, I got gauge using the suggested needles, size 13 and 15. I cast on on a Friday night, and by Sunday night I had the entire sweater minus the collar/button band. Talk about instant gratification.

Seaming was another story entirely. I tried seaming the sleeve to the body three times, using backstitch, but each time, I ripped it out in frustration. I was pulling in half a stitch too much here and there, and my seam was looking crooked. Then I discovered invisible vertical to horizontal seaming in Knitty. This wonderful technique (scroll down in the link) is worked from the right side, rather than the wrong side, so you can see what you're doing--a lifesaver when you're using superbulky yarn and every mistake is visible. Plus, it's much like mattress stitch, so that it creates an invisible seam.

The problem with this sweater? Well, it's a little too small--and I got gauge. Compare with the model photo. I made the 34," and the sleeves should almost be like drop sleeves. Instead they're tight at the top of my shoulder. It's also not roomy enough for me to close in the front. The funny thing is that I started making the 36," and it looked huge--with the finished measurements in the schematic being around 40." I've decided not to frog because it's an incredibly cozy and warm sweater that I can wear to work or around the house. Let's call it "tailored" or "fitted." A-hem. About the color: it's one of those hard-to-photograph colors. It's a dark brown-green, similar to Blue Sky Alpacas Verte. I love colors that can seem like one color one moment and another the next.