December 2017 knit FOs can be described as pullovers with side-splits and turtle necks - it’s a winning design formula in my opinion and I really like how these garments fit and can be worn.

As you progress with your knitting, you slowly build up a portfolio of design elements that are just exactly what you like or actually what you practically wear.

I’ve discovered, for example, that triangular shawls, unless super-large, are not that wearable for me. I prefer asymmetric. Similarly, that most of my pullover wearing, happens whilst beach walking on really cold and blustery days - so I need warmth (thick fabric) and a loose fit; so I can layer up. I also like a cowl, built in, if possible - this design delivers all of these things.

Yarn: this is a mega, stash-busting project. I had a load of cotton sitting around with no clue how to use it - it’s Drops recycled denim, priced at about 80p per 50g - bargain! It isn’t the softest of cottons and I’ve struggled to want to incorporate it into anything. But then I had a brain-wave, to compensate for it’s ‘flaws’ by combining it with other bases - and so here we have it. A combination of cotton, alpaca and merino - all stashed away and now put to use! the fabric is springily soft and extremely robust!

I’ve held three strands together to create as near to a bulky/super-bulky fabric as possible. You achieve a lovely mottled fabric as well, which makes for interest and the illusion of something a little more expensive.

Pattern: As with all Pickles designs, they are inspiring designs but the instructions themselves are always very limited - a lot of blanks to fill in and this does require a certain amount of experience.

for info, this particular design is: Bottom-up construction. And so, front and back are worked separately to create ‘splits’ and then joined, in-the-round for the body. Sleeves are then worked and joined and the joke finally completed.

Sizing: not much to go with and no schematic. I see there is a chest with and length measurement provided, which I haven’t really noticed up until now - doh!

I started knitting size small but quickly realised the fit would be way too generous for what I was hoping to achieve. And so, after joining (the body) in the round, I’ve incorporated 2 sets of stitch decreases (either side of side markers) to take the front and back stitch counts to 69 each (from 73 and not including each central side stitches). I’ve followed the instructions for the next size down (teen fit) but knitted sleeve length for larger sizes - so sort of teen width and adult length generally. It’s worked.

No other mods.

overall: I love how this has turned out. The fabric is weighty and took an age to dry (days). I ended up tumble dying on a very light setting and this may have slightly shrank the garment. no big problem but my sleeves were definitely much longer prior.

It is a super warm garment, having passed the test of a New Year’s Eve British beach walk on a very cold and windy day - I was super snug with just a waterproof jacket layered over.

I also love the mottled fabric created by combining three slightly varied shades together - very sea-inspired and perfect for wintery, beach walks…worn with pink jeans, upon recommendation from a fellow raveller. I hadn’t quite realised how well pink and blue go together. My new fav colour combo?!