Rowan Earn Part 2

I don't think I would have started on this journey had I known what I was getting into. The sweater pattern is pretty straight forward but the size of the yarn and needles is the real challenge. It has taken me 4 months to complete the Earn (I almost quit several times) but I can say that I am very happy I stuck it through. It is rewarding to see the finished product (and to wear it too!). The Fly Designs Nymph (typically a sock yarn) worked amazingly well and drapes nicely. Filay Little at Little Knits helped me choose it. I did made a few minor changes to the pattern to fit my style.

The pattern doesn't do a very good job explaining the effect on the ribbing - it just refers you to the photo. The Field Guide to Knitting helped me here. I may be wrong, but I think it is called a smocking effect. I need to ask an experienced knitter. For the front smock, I used Handmaiden Silk yarn in a seascape blue and seafoam green. I threw in a Japanese yarn that I got at Tricoter that is a blend of the two colors with sparkle. Village Yarn & Tea helped me choose the Handmaiden to match. Then, I found some tan silk yarn in a bargain bin and it all worked out quite well together. But, I do have 2 other skeins that I bought thinking they would work great - nope. It's really trial and error. Take the time to sit in a yarn shop that will allow you to experiment and buy what works in the end. Tricoter is always good for this - they're supportive of the creative process. To start, I measured out at 2 CM for each smock stitch and then just went from there.

I didn't like the draw string concept in the pattern for the back of the sweater so I garter stitched a waist band and finished it with two buttons. I think this gives it a little more of a tailored look. I also went on a road trip to Shipwreck Beads with a friend who is a very gifted jewelry maker. I used some of the beads I purchased to create the flower (which is hiding an increase mistake that I made). Originally the flower had longer petals but I folded them down and sewed them in place - I think it's more interesting this way. I got the free flower pattern at http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/flower02k.htm. The buttons I found at Tricoter.

There are tons more pictures of this through the process and with details on Ravelry. Search Rowan Earn or my user name "latheena".