Winter Is All about Knitting New Warm and Wooly Things to Wear

Sometimes I feel like I have the attention span of a gnat! Was it only a month ago that I was so absorbed in knitting Hal, that I was feeling disgruntled about starting the new KAL, Knit a Norwegian on Ravelry?  I just couldn't imagine dragging out new wool to start a new project. 

That was then... this is now!  Hal is sitting neglected in his basket, his sunny golden looks masked by the table under which I placed him, and my knitting is now all about Nordic wear.  Life can be just so fickle...

Now, I am obsessively involved with knitting a Dale of Norway pattern, titled; "We Are A Nation", after completing the other Dale of Norway, Lappland.  "We Are A Nation" was published in 1993 when I saw it and purchased it... a ridiculous acquisition at the time as I could barely knit, and had no idea how to knit such a seemingly complicated sweater. At that point, I made it my goal in life to learn how to knit that way, enrolling in a class which was all about the methods of Nordic style knitting.  Since then, I have never looked back, much to my family's puzzlement that anyone's hobby obsession could involve writing about, talking about, dreaming about, and most of all, knitting every spare minute of every waking moment!

So, enough blathering on about my crazy obsession and onto what I am actually working on, since it's been a long time since my last post.  That is because progress has been rather slow.  After sailing though the knitting of both  at the rate of about a week each, I embarked on the task of the body. I had used the sleeves to establish my gauge, get used to the unfamiliar yarn, and learn the pattern.  Seemingly, everything was good to go.  However, I discovered three rows from the top of the most elaborate border pattern on the sweater, that the evenness of my tension was really poor, giving it, in my opinion, the look of something knit by a beginner... not really the look that I wanted to achieve. 

The yarn I am using is Dale of Norway Tiur, a blend of wool and mohair.  The mohair makes it quite soft, and pleasantly fuzzy, but also causes the fabric to be less "stable" than 100% wool.  Instead of the firm, even fabric I was hoping to create, the bottom of my sweater seemed to pull in odd directions... all puckered and heavily biased.  No good! 

I ripped it all the way down to the "top" of the red border and started the "dancing children" section again. Success... I thought!  This time, the tension was nice and even with no pulls or puckers.  That good feeling lasted until I realized that the "legs" of the dancers were not connected to their feet! MAJOR mistake again!  Hard to believe that I can't count out such a basic pattern, but true.  Ripped everything out back down tho the "top" of the red again.

Now the body is well and truly under way so I have some photos to post, making my post worth while.

I have a little more than this knit now, but the border with its dancing children seemed to be the most interesting part of this particular design anyway, and that can be clearly seen.

So Hall, I promise that I will return to you shortly. (Good thing it's not the real Henry VIII!  He would be shouting "Off with her head!")

Comments

[Sigrun Jones]

Keep it up. Those are beautiful garments. i also start with the sleeves wherever possible. The sweater with dancing children would lend itself to becoming a cardigan, I think. I love pullovers, but can't wear them much because I get too hot. So, Henry VIII--one of my favorites, is not on my agenda.

[Jewel]

You're doing great. A wash after it's put together will make it look perfect.

[Lorraine]

Carolyn- You are our Dale hero- and Jewel's right, after a wash, it will be wonderful.

[Carrie K]

He's just looking for his next wife. At least you started him. I've got him in a box.

We are the World looks good!

[Sandy]

Oh, it's gorgeous! Love the pattern & colorway. You've inspired me to start color knitting again!

[Cheryl]

It looks beautiful, I have always loved all the sweaters in that book, funny I didn't realize there were people til recently..

[Miyamojo]

I just love your Dale!

I remember when I first saw a Dale... I was in awe. The same day I saw Henry knit in the blue colorway. It was a good day! :)

[Brigitte]

Oh, it is beautiful! And very un-Dale like. Getting the right tension on a Dale is easier said than done, that's for sure. I had the same issues... I hope Jewel is right, and a good bath will set mine right once I'm done.

[Dee]

... beautiful work... you are so funny... as a beginner, I see what you mean about practice makes perfect... thanks for your help on Sparkpeople.com...
~ Dee ~