St. Brigid My first completed Aran sweater (Cromarty was the first Aran started -- and is yet to be completed) Pattern: St. Brigid / Source: Aran Knitting by Aice Starmore (OOP, borrowed from a local library) Yarn: Cascade 220, color 4010 (gold), purchased from The Boys at Threadbear; I ordered 12 hanks and used pretty much all of 9 (1908 yards) for the larger size without fringe, but with all the repeats / Needles: Size US 8 Clover Bamboo Started: Sept. 10, 2004 / Completed: Feb. 20, 2005 Modifications: 1) The single line of straight stitch called for on either side of the braided cable seemed flabby, so I knit/purled through the back loop of those stitches throughout to twist it and tighten up the stitch. 2) The pattern called for 15 rows of K2, P1 ribbing to finish the top edge of the collar; I knit only 13 (and might even have preferred fewer than that). 3) As far as gauge is concerned, I was "close" with the US 8 bamboos. In the end, the pieces were blocked in the manner directed in the book -- pinned to measurements given and covered with a damp cloth (in this case, a fairly substantial towel, fresh from the "max extract" washing machine cycle), and left 'til the cloth was dry (approximately 24 hours). When the blocking cloth was dry, it was removed and the pieces unpinned; they hardly budged. The pieces reached the specified measurements without any difficulty (plenty of give) and, as knit, they could have been blocked slightly larger or even a little smaller. 4) I have not yet attached any fringe; I may do that in the future; it will definitely cut into a 10th hank of yarn. Observations: I love I started with the sleeves, then knit the back (these pieces were finished before Christmas), and finally the front and collar pieces (since Christmas). Originally, I was going to do one less repeat on the body than the pattern called for, but I changed my mind on that and I'm so glad I did. During the next blocking, I will try to lengthen the sleeves just a bit -- they could be a tad longer for me. I've created a St. Brigid photo album with some WIP photos and eventually I'll post these thoughts, and any others that might come to mind, over there.
Okay, it's obvious that I really can't do The Rachael very well; I tried. I've got the I'm Your Mother/Are You Doing That Right look down pretty good, though, huh? I hate having my picture taken! (Thanks to Mdd, my photographer, for laughing with me.)looking like an idiot for you people this sweater. It was a joy to knit and put together. It's comfortable to wear and it's pretty much turned out just as I'd hoped. There is plenty of ease without looking huge; it's substantial, but not too heavy or warm.
Okay. I want one. Absolutely gorgeous. And it doesn't look big or bulky, just perfect. Kudos to you Vicki! I'm absolutely, unequivocally impressed. Just beautiful. Ooo, I'm so happy for you! (It's a perfect color for you too!)
Posted by: Cara | February 21, 2005 at 08:57 PM
It's so beautiful. Congratulations! I like it so much sans fringe. Don't fringe it!
Posted by: Lauren | February 21, 2005 at 09:08 PM
I love it and the photography and the color and ..... keep on posting those photos. We'll all keep oohing and ahhing. It is such an accomplishment! (laughed at the "I'm Your Mother/Are You Doing This Right"!!)
Posted by: Norma | February 21, 2005 at 09:33 PM
I think it looks absolutely wonderful.The color looks great on you. You should be very proud of yourself!
Posted by: Stacie | February 21, 2005 at 09:42 PM
The sweater looks fantastic on you...I vote no fringe too. It looks like a great fit as well. Your work is just gorgeous.(clap,clap,clap).
Posted by: Maureen | February 21, 2005 at 10:03 PM
St. Brigid looks like the perfect sweater for you, Vicki. Kudos on color choice and fit!
Posted by: Celia | February 21, 2005 at 10:08 PM
Fabulous, fabulous job! It looks so great on you Vicki! Congratulations.
Posted by: Kathleen | February 21, 2005 at 10:12 PM
Absolutely and positively the prettiest thing I've seen in a long while. I hope you're proud of your work. I think its great without the fringe. Hoping no one curses me for it, I'll wish for a little more winter to keep you wearing St B's cabley goodness for another month at least.
Posted by: Cassie | February 21, 2005 at 10:34 PM
I'm so impressed! What a beautiful sweater and it looks so nice on you! I love the color of 220 you chose, too. Congrats on creating such a beautiful sweater!
Posted by: Liz | February 21, 2005 at 11:44 PM
Well done, it looks absolutely amazing, you must be so thrilled with the finished results, its perfect for you.
Posted by: yvette | February 22, 2005 at 12:06 AM
It really does look wonderful and very much needed in all that snow too. You don't need to do a Rachael, your expression says it all!
Posted by: Tracy | February 22, 2005 at 01:42 AM
Wonderful.
It sweats really well on you.
Congratulations !
Posted by: Françoise | February 22, 2005 at 01:43 AM
Bravo! It really is a work of art! The color is perfect and the sweater looks great on you! What more could a knitter ask for??
I'm going to keep gazing at the pictures. They are THAT great!
:)
Posted by: sandy | February 22, 2005 at 05:48 AM
Amazing, simply amazing!
Posted by: Jackie | February 22, 2005 at 06:40 AM
Oh, St. Brigid is just gorgeous!! I'm also glad that you mentioned Cromarty again, because I remember you starting it but couldn't remember seeing the finished sweater. I have to ask. . . what is it about Cromarty (or St. Brigid) that made you finish St. Brigid first? In the best of all possible worlds, I will eventually knit both of them, so go ahead and be painfully honest.
Posted by: Susan | February 22, 2005 at 06:57 AM
Oh my gosh, it's finished! It looks fabulous and what a great color on you. Wow. I am so impressed. I didn't know you were making the larger size. Now I'm nervous because I'm making the smaller size. And from the photos, it seems like we might be close in size. yikes! At least I know I should have enough yarn.
Posted by: karen | February 22, 2005 at 07:12 AM
"Simply the best! Better than all the rest..." (I'm singing that Tina Turner song for some unknown reason).
Love it, Vicki. It's amazing and wonderful and beautiful and stunning. I too thought it might be big and bulky, but it is perfect! And that "mother look" looks very familiar. :)
Posted by: Annie | February 22, 2005 at 07:13 AM
Vicki!
It's so beautiful... you did a great job!
... and you even have some more Winter to wear it in... it will make the rest of Winter a little brighter.
and I vote 'no fringe' too. :)
Posted by: Abbey | February 22, 2005 at 07:55 AM
congrats! it is amazingly beautiful--wear it proudly!
Posted by: amanda | February 22, 2005 at 08:08 AM
WOW!
I haven't yet caught the Aran-bug, but this sweater makes me want to stock up on wool and cable myself until next winter.
very nicely done--it looks beautiful!
(here via SavannahChik)
Posted by: heather | February 22, 2005 at 08:46 AM
gorgeous sweater! cool pics. just amazing!
Posted by: froggy | February 22, 2005 at 08:57 AM
So stunning. It looks fantastic!
Posted by: Christina | February 22, 2005 at 09:12 AM
Fantastic!
Posted by: Christy | February 22, 2005 at 09:28 AM
Love the photo shoot Vicki and of course the star is the sweater ;) Great color for you and the fit is wonderful ...be proud!
Funny I noticed that no matter how hard Carrie and I tried we always looked a certain way in our knitting photo shoots when we did each other. I think it has to do with the familiar aspect. If I would get a friend to take my picture I would look totally different. You are just lovely and shouldn't be shy about pictures being taken.
Posted by: Cindy | February 22, 2005 at 10:24 AM
It's beautiful. So glad to see you AND the sweater! :)
Posted by: Melanie | February 22, 2005 at 10:37 AM
YAY YAY YAY YAY! It is soooo beautiful! Congrats on a job well done....now I just need to start mine! :)
Posted by: Caryn | February 22, 2005 at 10:54 AM
What a great sweater! It looks marvelous and like you could wear it everyday. You really did a super job and now have something worth all the time and effort. It's beautiful!!
Posted by: Margene | February 22, 2005 at 10:56 AM
It's gorgeous! Love the color. Makes me itch to make one too...
Posted by: Margot | February 22, 2005 at 12:22 PM
It's really beautiful. Congratulations!
Posted by: Sara | February 22, 2005 at 12:42 PM
Savannahchick was right to send us here...it is a fantastic sweater. Wow, I can't believe that is your first Aran - I guess that means you will be making more! Great job, and Happy Knitting!
Posted by: Anne-Caroline | February 22, 2005 at 03:18 PM
It looks great on you fits perfect...just like it was made for you. ;)
Posted by: Karen | February 22, 2005 at 06:05 PM
Wow! what an excellent job...I can't believe that is cascade!
ooh you gave me shivers with the "mom" look! I used to get that sooooo much it still stops me in my tracks!
Posted by: heather | February 22, 2005 at 08:42 PM
I think you look FABULOUS, in both poses. And that sweater! What a triumph! Wear it with pride, dear!
Posted by: Rachael | February 23, 2005 at 07:27 AM
Delightful. St. Brigid is so beautiful that I want to make one for me. This is quite saying something since I haven't made a sweater in a really long time. But I've been watching your progress for a while now and the end result is a true inspiration.
Posted by: General Ginger | February 23, 2005 at 10:23 AM
Amazing! Beautiful! Way nicer than the one in the book! Thanks for inspiring me to finally get started on mine.
Posted by: Leigh | February 23, 2005 at 11:51 AM
that looks wonderful on you!!! stunning,and I love the colour on you.awesome job !
Posted by: cara | February 24, 2005 at 07:35 AM
st. b is gorgeous!
Posted by: shobhana | February 24, 2005 at 10:12 AM
Wow, it's beautiful. The color is striking and the cables are gorgeous. Brava!
Posted by: Ann | February 25, 2005 at 08:51 AM
absolutely gorgeous.
Posted by: mrspilkington | February 25, 2005 at 06:02 PM
That is really stunning. Good work!
Posted by: LauraA | March 01, 2005 at 04:22 PM
Your sweater is wonderful!!
I am from South America, and I would very happy if you or other person could send me a graphic to knitt this St. Brigid pattern.
Thanks in advance if you could help me with the pattern for this celtic beautiful sweater.
Kisses from Chile
Posted by: Faby | March 31, 2005 at 12:13 PM
Faby again, I forgot to wrote my email if somebody could explain me with a graphic pattern for the St. Brigid sweater.
It is: fabiolaxp2000@yahoo.com
Thanks in advance and kisses!!
Posted by: Faby | March 31, 2005 at 12:16 PM