This is a sample for Junction Fiber Mill. The size I knitted is the 3rd size (40 inches), with elbow length sleeves as in the pictures. The designer gives separate instructions for these in the pattern. I used up most of the third skein of Natural (16 grams left). I had to use parts of two separate skeins for the sleeves, in order to try and match the colors. If one is trying to be conservative with the use of yarn, one could set aside matching colors ahead of time from three skeins, then proceed for the body using the remaining yarn, making sure to have the yarn for the sleeves. Actually, one SHOULD knit the sleeves BEFORE the body, matching colors. I fidgeted with two skeins instead and I had 37 and 29 grams left. Assuming they were 50 grams before knitting( i forgot to weigh them ahead of time of course), I used less than the full third skein. In fact, I used very similar amounts of yarns (natural and dyed).
The directions for the sweater are clear and easy to follow. The color work requires some dedicated time in the horses’ part as it involves larger motifs with non-symmetrical parts. Just focus, nothing extraordinary. I was lucky that we went to a teacher’s conference in New York State a week ago and I was not driving, so I had plenty of focused daylight knitting time, which is rare for me.
The one thing I’d change if I were to knit it for myself is the width of the elbow sleeves. I have large arms, and the cuff is a bit tight for me. Thank goodness Peg Allen, the recipient, is NOT like me. But I cast off using larger needles to make sure it could ideally fit me too!
The sweater is very soft to the touch and cozy. Bluefaced Leicester is a great breed…The colors play well together in the top part of the sweater, but I wonder if they are too rainbowy in the bottom and sleeves. It is a gentle rainbow though.
The sleeves colors are matching okay, but it would have made more sense to flip the colors probably, requiring a bit more winding and calculating how much to use.
I blocked it in gently warm water as I didn’t want to risk any bleeding, and I used Sonett olive soap as usual.
The horses are really eye catching, everybody who saw me knitting made comments.