This sweater is the main reason I wanted to learn to knit, circa 1974. The pattern was from a craft magazine published in the 70s that I think it was called American Home Crafts. It was my favorite of all the magazines at the time but, it was short lived. I knit several sweaters from their pages and still remember each one; however, this is the only one I still have. I am amazed I can even get it on. In the 70s I still had a grrlish (maybe boyish would be a better description) body…today you can see I'm a little 'boobilicous'. The yarn was French and not a natural fiber, with slubs like little rolls of pink and yellow. It was hard to knit, as the plies would separate and bunch up, so it had to be handled delicately. For more detail click here. The fabric was so beautiful that I persevered and also knit a dress of the same yarn, in yellow, for my then 3 year old sister. (I think it still exists, too and may be in my mother's cedar chest.) I share my first sweater with you as it is pink, one of the PS colors this month.
My current knit is Cutaway in a brighter pink. I do love, and have always loved pink but, I'm a big fan of blue, too. (You shouldn't be surprised at all by yesterday's post.) This yarn is one I bought at Estes Park last year (the LYS, 3 Wishes currently carries it, too). I used the same yarn for Blaze and found it enjoyable that I was moved to buy more. It's a fingering weight yarn which makes the fabric very loose and soft. The plain stockinette and the unique shape of the cardigan make a great canvas for some fun embellishments. The flower idea is from the newest Rowan magazine and a trip to the bead store produced some appropriate beads. I'm excited about the possibilities.
In nearing the end of my Sockpal socks and have wondered what sock to knit next. When this colorway, Fire on the Mountain by STR, arrived from Regina I knew the answer. This is the perfect yarn for all the months of Project Spectrum. Maybe a simple stockinette sock will show off the color best unless you all have a suggestion.
Don't forget to get your answer in for the contest in last Friday's post.
Have you tried Jaywalker socks yet? They would be great in that yarn.
Posted by: Annie | March 23, 2006 at 04:42 AM
That sweater is lovely...all the details and it still looks great on you! I love that STR colorway!
Posted by: michele | March 23, 2006 at 04:53 AM
Love the sweater! I used this same STR colorway for Jaywalkers, and they are coming out very nice.
Posted by: Jeanne | March 23, 2006 at 05:30 AM
Why doesn't it surprise me that your first sweater had all that detail?? ;)
Posted by: Beth | March 23, 2006 at 05:33 AM
I think a simple stockinette or you could look at the Corded Rib in Sensational Socks. I used that for the STR you sent me and I think it highlited the colr well without overwhelming it!
Posted by: Debi | March 23, 2006 at 05:38 AM
Jaywalkers!!
Posted by: Georgiana | March 23, 2006 at 05:42 AM
Stockinette with a picot edge - perfect!
I love the photo of your first sweater - you look so happy!
Posted by: Jackie | March 23, 2006 at 05:45 AM
I love your pink sweater - especially that delicate scalloped edge. I know you said it was your first sweater - but you must have been a pretty accomplished knitter by then because this looks terrific! Fire on the Mountain is a great colorway. I knit Jaywalkers from it for my Bloomin' Feet pal but I think it would look great in any pattern. And sometimes a simple stockinette sock is just what the doctor ordered.
Posted by: Carole | March 23, 2006 at 05:54 AM
Oh, yeah! Picot edge and stockinette all the way!
The sweater is great, Margene, and so do you! I'm not sure I could fit into my oldest survivor...
Posted by: Vicki | March 23, 2006 at 06:05 AM
I think the sweater looks great! I actually think girly pink sweaters need a boobylicious person to pull them off! That's fun that you still have it.
Posted by: Kim | March 23, 2006 at 06:25 AM
I really like your pink sweater. It's got such neat details. How wonderful that it's still in such great shape.
Posted by: hillary | March 23, 2006 at 06:27 AM
I happen to be wearing my Fire On the Mountain Jaywalkers as I type this.
I love the sweater, but even more the fact that you can still wear it. That's impressive!
Posted by: Cara | March 23, 2006 at 06:46 AM
Have you done a Dublin Bay sock yet? That would be pretty!!
Posted by: stitchnsnitch | March 23, 2006 at 06:47 AM
I love the pink sweater! It's great that you kept it all these years as a reminder of how you started knitting.
I think simple stockinette, or one of the rib patterns from Knitting Vintage Socks would be nice for the STR yarn.
Posted by: Rachel | March 23, 2006 at 06:48 AM
You look very sassy in that sweater!
Posted by: Ramona | March 23, 2006 at 06:48 AM
I am impressed you can wear that sweater!!!
Must have been that weight you lost last year or so!
Love the Cutaway Cardi.
Posted by: Sarah HB | March 23, 2006 at 06:55 AM
That sweater looks great on you, still! Hmm, I'm probably prejudiced toward Dublin Bays, since I'm knitting them right now, but I do like how the stockinette really lets the yarn colors do their thing and the lace panels add some additional visual interest. Or Jaywalkers. Or maybe the Little Arrowhead Lace Socks, pictured in Theresa's post: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com/2006/03/topsy-turvey.html (includes free pattern link)
Posted by: Chris | March 23, 2006 at 07:17 AM
I find myself wanting to do all stockinette on my STR's now just to show off the colors.
Posted by: scout | March 23, 2006 at 07:26 AM
That sweater looks great!
Posted by: --Deb | March 23, 2006 at 07:30 AM
That sweater looks Fabulous on you. I never even finished my first sweater. I outgrew it while I was knitting it.
Posted by: Amanda | March 23, 2006 at 07:39 AM
Did you actually knit the sweater in 1974? I'm amazed that it still looks so good after all that time. You must have taken excellent care of it.
Posted by: Beth S. | March 23, 2006 at 08:34 AM
Amazing...the only thing I still have from 1974 is a kid or two! Red Umbrella Alert...Target has them, too! Not as nice as PB, but about 1/3 the price. Just saying.
Posted by: Marcia | March 23, 2006 at 08:51 AM
cool sweater, and great boobilicious shot of you and your sweater. that's so great you still have it, i get sick of things and give them away all the time, so don't think I have anything more than 10 years old, if that... i even give my hand knits away,, huh... never quite thought about it like that...
Posted by: Liz | March 23, 2006 at 09:09 AM
That sweater's really cute. And the new sweater with flower will be fabulous. That sock yarn is wonderful - the colors are so very happy. Something simple is the order of the day for that yarn (although another Jaywalker could be a winner)
Posted by: Stephanie | March 23, 2006 at 09:27 AM
Oh, and here are some cool socks that might do that yarn justice. http://obsessiveknitting.blogspot.com/
i think they are clled "poms".
Posted by: Liz | March 23, 2006 at 09:28 AM