T O A S T Y !

 

Here is Toasty, all done and dusted! The fronts and back are knitted separately, while the sleeves are seamlessly knitted from armhole. It has been a challenging design for me and now I'm allowing myself to feel smugness about this. It is still not perfect and it needs to be recalculated to a heavier yarn with less seams but for now it will suffice. So here you have it- with my Toasty on a chilly spring day ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toasty- Progress

Toasty is a project I had in mind to design- inspired by a silhouette on the high street few years ago. Couple of months ago it was time to act. Outlines were drawn, details were added, schematics calculated and few swatches knitted. I chose lamb wool no. 1 by Patricia Roberts in charcoal- heavy fingering weigh.
I'm having a love-hate relationship with this design. Its not straight forward and my biggest challenge was the garter hem in relation to the stockinette fronts. I'm telling you , its so much easier to buy a pattern and follow instructions.

 

Toasty is double breasted jacket with plenty of versatility. The buttons placement on the collar and hem give it abundant wearing possibilities. You can wear it all proper and buttoned or to have it more open and fluid.

 

 I used German short rows to shape and curve the garter hem to create a natural slope for the neck line. The collar is also shaped using short rows and can be worn high up to guard against chill or totally open in a relaxed style or buttoned side ways to create a different look. It's up to my mood.

I added some pockets adorned with double rib and purposely placed back band to accentuate the waist.

Sleeves are knitted down after being picked from around armhole, again using short rows for the sleeve cup.

Another push to finish the sleeves and decide on sleeve cuffs.
Will keep you posted !

Going back memory lane - Patricia Roberts

If you happen to be on a London knitting tour do try to get an inside glance at the Patricia Roberts' knitting shop. Her website does not show case her latest designs. I've been a stoker for her knitting kits for sale link for  few years now but alas apparently its still coming soon...
Patricia Roberts was a big name in the eighties but don't be fooled by all those big oversize multi color tops , here and there you'll find some real treasures.

I've been collecting her books ( see a photo above ) and again and again I see myself  coming back to those loved , well worn books and admiring and getting inspired by the color combination , fit and stitch pattern. Some of the designs definitely in need of toning down but the potential is awesome..

My dear friend the knitting Cyclist knitted  few of her designs and is a regular visitor to her London shop. I'm having a fantastic first class updates from her. This is how I heard about 'Snowflake'. In all honesty the photo below (which my friend knitted) does not do justice to the garment. It is such a pleasing and striking combination of white-grey-black shades with islands of pop out angora.

I straight away phoned the shop and ordered the kit.

My version is slightly different. The main colour is in her own brand- Patricia Roberts lambswool 1  in flannel colour which is light grey. If you wish to sub it go for a very thin 4 ply thickness or a 3 ply yarn. The zigzag lines are knitted in other colours - mid grey and charcoal. Also the pattern calls for her angora yarn which is more like a dk/sport in weight - I chose dark purplish grey and light lemon. I love the grellow look :). The other angora colours are from my stash -Orkney 4 ply angora in white and grey .

You have to have some patience for all that intarsia and fair isle but I'm loving a very minute of it so far.

I''m currently doing the fronts but it is a slow knit .It will take quite some time to finish it - there are other knitting commitments out there of which I'm sure to post later.
Knit on ! :)