I still have the bunny hat to knit to accompany the bunny sweater, but I'm taking a break from Dale of Norway Baby Ull yarn and returning to my favorite selfish projects... sweaters for me!
This will be the month of sleeves. I have both sleeves well begun on Seaforth, although the sleeve in the picture is "ahead" of the other sleeve. After that, I just have to finish the sleeve on Luskentyre and that will make five sweaters finished so far this year!
Of course, that's really because I started so many sweaters last year that I wasn't able to finish many, and one of those is extra small!
So here is the picture of the sleeve on Seaforth. The sleeve looks kind of odd unblocked because the stockinette part appears to flare out from the patterned part which pulls in. Blocking will fix that though. )
I had trouble deciding whether to change the original pattern, or just leave it alone. The original pattern design for the sleeves was traditional Fishermen's gansey style... that is, the sleeves from the elbows to wrist are plain knit. Traditionally, this was to accommodate rough wear by fishermen who would tend to wear holes through the elbow. The lower sleeve could then be removed an a new one re-knit without too much trouble.
While I like the idea of knitting one really authentic style Guernsey, (Gansey), this idea is contradicted by the fact that Seaforth is a tunic with a loose hem... a most nontraditional Gansey style. Traditional Ganseys always had ribbing at the lower edge, and frequently a plain knitted body as well, to facilitate tucking them into waterproof rain type pants or coveralls.
Oh well, I decided to knit a nontraditional Gansey with traditional sleeves based on the fact that I am tired of this pattern and plain-knitting would be a nice, if boring change!
You're funny! Reminds me of what I recently read on the VY web site. They said that though their designs are not traditional, their techniques were .. That's good enough for me since I lean towards the non-traditional stranding motifs.
Your sleeves are looking good, but I hope to abandon you in a few days!
Posted by: Marina | April 20, 2009 at 02:18 PM
I love bunnies!
No one will know unless you mention it. I love tradition, but modern twists are nice too. :)
Posted by: miyamojo | April 21, 2009 at 08:07 AM
The traditional sleeves were knitted with the stockinette to serve a purpose. If it was practical for them, they probably would have continued the design on the sleeve. So what ever sleeve you choose will be practical and therefore traditional.
As usually, your knitting is beautiful. Must go now, I have a strong urge to play tick-tack-toe.
Posted by: Carin | April 21, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Carolyn- I just left sleeve Island, but enjoy your stay.
I've just begun a new gansey and I really enjoy the fine needles and the tight spun yarn. Seaforth is lovely and totally wearable.
Posted by: Lorraine | April 22, 2009 at 06:21 AM
An excellent reason to stick w/tradition. Lol.
Sleeve island is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. The bunnies! The bunnies!
Posted by: Carrie K | April 23, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Blocking fixes everything! Seaforth is lovely - are you using Scottish Fleet?
It seems we're all on a Starmore Sleeve Island these days. I just can't seem to get to the end of Isobel of Mar's last one...
Posted by: Brigitte | April 24, 2009 at 03:59 AM
I'm looking forward to watching Seaforth 'grow'!
I took the group of ladies that I am teaching to knit to the LYS today and saw several Dale of Norway baby/toddler sweaters knit with the Baby Ull. I was so tempted but resisted. And, I resisted picking up the St. Moritz pattern I want to knit for me.
Posted by: Rebecca in CO | May 05, 2009 at 09:55 PM