And here we are — the last quarter of the year. Can you believe it? I love this time of year. It’s sort of like New Year’s. Kids back in school and everyone setting schedules and getting back into a routine. I’ve been so happy to see several long-lost bloggers return to the fold.
It’s that time to be planning new projects too. You know, the big event is coming up soon. Please note, I didn’t actually say it. In preparation for new projects, I’m trying to wrap-up a few in progress.
Which brings us to my Lopapeysa. The Icelandic sweater for which I bought the yarn on our trip to Iceland. It’s finished! Yay!
And … drumroll please ……….
IT FITS!!!!
I can’t even tell you how excited I was when I tried it on and it fit. Fitting is always the hardest part of knitting for me — it seems like guesswork, in spite of all the gauge checking that happens. I LOVE-Love-loved knitting this sweater. Only two little underarm seams to stitch up when it was all done – my kind of sweater!
I used yummy Icelandic Lopi yarn and THIS free pattern. For the neck, the pattern gave instructions to knit 3 inches of ribbing and then fold it to the inside and stitch it down. But when I was watching the Lopapeysa video that Berglind gave me when we met in Iceland, it showed a technique that basically separates the knit and purl stitches for a few rows and then uses the kitchener stitch to bind off. It’s brilliant and I love it! So much easier than rolling and sewing and it looks a lot nicer too.
So, Yipee! A finished sweater. What to knit next? (Ha! Maybe I should finish the 10-year sweater.)
Oh Wait! My VBFF Gurney told me about an awesome knitting app for the iPad called Knit Companion. Have you heard of it? I used it at the end of this sweater and it’s great to keep track of chart rows, etc. If you’re a knitter, you might want to check it out!
XOXO,
Anna
Brava!! A gorgeous sweater and IT FITS. I was laughing as I read your post because I’m right there with you on the whole ‘surprise, it actually fits!’ reaction, despite our careful measuring and checking throughout. I’m overdue to make another sweater, but I think I’ll be priming my knitting muscles with some mittens first.
So, are you looking forward to the ‘S’ word now that you have a cozy sweater to pull on?
Wow!!!! What a gorgeous sweater. I am SO impressed with you – truly, you do all things well!
Oh, beautiful. I would like to put that on right now. It has been cold and wet in Montana for more than a week. Kind of a rude change of seasons. Ninety degrees and sunny down to low fifties and wet OVER NIGHT! Brrrrrr!
One more thing…so happy the sweater fits you. Always so risky.
OH OH OH OH OH !!!! BEAUTIFUL!. Love your sweater and I think the colors will be beautiful on you. I love the pattern as well. It’s so wearable. I can’t waqit to see the neck edge treatment. Is it on the video you posted. I still have to check out knit companion. I haven’t had time but one of my social knitters at THE Wool Cabin also uses it so I think I need to hurry up and check it out.
I can’t wait to see your next big thing!
I am SO impressed! You sure can knit! Love the sweater, Anna.
That was fast and it looks fantastic. Now winter can come!
Oh my goodness, Anna. The jersey is absolutely gorgeous. And it fits! Wheeeee!! :oD
Having never yet knit a sweater that fitted when finished, I am beyond impressed with yours!
It looks gorgeous Anna! Here’s hoping you get lots of wear out of it…..starting with this Winter!
Your knitting is very impressive! The sweater looks beautiful and looks like it will be perfect for those chilly days and nights.
Its lovely….and pretty!!! Now you can walk through many autumn storms without even be chilly… And be pretty as well!!
Congratulation Anna! Love, love your lopapeysa! Actually, I liked it so much that I showed the pattern to my daughter. She had already picked a pattern and bought the yarn for another lopapeysa, but wanted to make this one instead! We were lucky to swap the yarn in the yarn shop, so now she has started knitting! She’s making the one in many colours. And now I wonder if I’ll make one for my princess! We’ll see! :-)
By the way, I simply love your Steampunk quilt! Looking forward to see it quilted!
I love the sweater!! so nice that you made it and that it fits that is always a plus and what a wonderful memory of your trip.
The sweater is a masterpiece!! How fun to have it ready for winter! So glad you like Knit Companion! Hugs!
Beautiful! So glad you finished it. You are a machine!!!!!! xoxo Have a great week.
Oh my, it’s just stunning! I can’t imaging being able to follow a pattern that would produce such a gorgeous sweater! Well done!
Wow Anna it is beautiful – the perfect snuggly sweater for autumn and that’s so great that it fits well. I don’t knit sweaters much anymore because I always had trouble getting things to fit. I hope you have as much pleasure wearing it as you did in making it x
Work of Art!
Wow, that is pretty! I’ve always admired those sweaters. Really anna, you need to come visit. No need for sweaters.
oh anna. and here we just thought you were another pretty face. that sweater is gorgeous. it ALMOST makes me want to move to a cold climate so i can wear that cute sweater with pair of jeans.
Congratulations!!! I love it! It’s beautiful! It is even better that it fits, which I agree with you, always is a lottery, EVEN if you make a gauge swatch! :-)
All I can say is WOW! It is just beautiful, Anna.
dang!! that is BEAUTIFUL!!! ;p
I love it …… and I am green with envy, as I can’t wear sweaters like that, as they make me itch and itch and itch!!!!
I have got my knitting mojo back, and will have a look throught my stash at the weekend to decide what to knit.
That’s lovely and I can say this without even the slightest feeling that I shall ever want to knit anything as complicated as that! Hooray for you, though.
WOW. Wow. I’m very impressed!
Absolutely amazingly gorgeous!!! There you go again. Another masterpiece. I love it. I’ve only made myself one sweater, and trust me, it did not even come close to fitting. It was huge. I really should stop being such a free spirit and give in and make a gauge swatch.
Go, you! Your sweater is beautiful—you will get many years of wear out of it. (It would be gorgeous with a red turtleneck.) I did knit a watch cap for my Dad over the weekend. My goal was to knit or sew one Christmas gift every month this year, but I stalled out back in March. So much for that idea. . .in spite of my good intentions, I’m sure I’ll end up sewing like a crazy woman into the wee hours on Christmas Eve morning, just like I always do.
it’s just gorgeous Anna, I shall think of you all warm and cozy this winter x
Crikey! You’re a genius! It’s absolutely amazing Anna!
Your jumper is fab and I’m so pleased it fits! I am too chicken to try knitting a full garment – partly because I’m worried I’ll give up part way through and partly because I think it won’t actually fit at the end! I’ve only knitted two adult jumpers ever – one for my sister when I was about 15 and it was fashionable to knit chunky wool on one thick and one thin needle, and one for Mr Locket when we were first going out that grew and grew with wearing until it resembled a dress! These haven’t inspired me to try again. xx
Absolutely beautiful work…well done
Oh Anna! I haven’t been to blogland for couple of weeks now and the first thing I see is your gorgeous sweater!! Hurray for you… well done, it looks GREAT and the colors are beautiful together!! The only thing missing is a picture of YOU wearing it!! I’m sure I’m not the only one saying it LOL – I think I’ll have to send you some more lopi yarn. So glad the dvd came in handy.
Oh my – your sweater is so beautiful! Looks so complicated. I’ll have to tell my friend about the app. SHe’s a knitting queen too.
Glad it fits, yes that’s always the ultimate acid test, right?
Enjoy wearing your new bespoke garment.
I used to follow my friend around and say “she made that” to anyone who complimented her knitted items. Do you have a PR friend, lol? I’d do it for you.
I LOVE that sweater!
B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! That’s all. Hugs!
gorgeous sweater!
(way too complicated for me… colour work scares me witless!)
It’s the bonus of making a beautiful sweater when it actually fits!
Oh Anna…that is just gorgeous! You are amazing!
Very pretty…what a great finish. Did you say that you made it for me?. I LOVE gray sweaters. Great choice. And the weather looks like it will be cooling down this week, finally. Just in time! You are going to be sitting cozy in your new sweater.
I love your Lopapeysa, How did you like working on Lopi? And thank you for that link Knit Companion, I will have to look at it.
Have you seen http://www.prjonamunstur.is
Ahhhhh…. lovely! Hum… I didn’t know that’s what you called them. I made one, oh many moons ago ….. It was actually the first sweater I ever knitted. Thanks for sharing!
Oh Anna, what an absolutely stunning sweater! What is the Lopi wool like? Is it soft enough to wear next to the skin? I’d love to knit a Lopi sweater but have wondered about the softness of the wool.
You must be so thrilled with it :)
Really lovely job, Anna! And having it actually fit, well that’s just a bonus.
When I travel, I always buy some yarn or fabric. That way when I make something with it, it’s a great reminder of my trip. A sweater is a better souvenir than a shot glass any day!