For the most part, I consider myself a process knitter. I revel in the feel of the yarn between my fingers. I enjoy the mini-puzzles that patterns present to me. I lose myself in the rhythm of stitch upon stitch. I even draw the process out by making my own yarn.
Occasionally, though, the urge to knit a specific object takes hold and spreads, like a rash. I am consumed with desire for a particular knitted object and I will endure almost any amount of annoyance, boredom, or psychological discomfort to obtain it. The most recent example is this lovely little top:
Pattern: Folded by Veera Välimäki
It’s a light-weight sweater in a very flattering shape. But apart from the hem and cuffs, and those little pleats at the bust, it’s all stockinette. And it’s in fingering weight yarn.
So much stockinette. Oh lord, so much stockinette.
I knitted this top with determination until I made it to the sleeves (it’s knit from the bottom up). Then I couldn’t take it anymore. I put Folded away for a couple of months and proceed to treat my stockinette stupor with more stimulating projects: two lace shawls, a sweater and a Color Affection. Eventually, my desire for the knitted object resurfaced. I picked up and knitted the interminable sleeves, then powered through the yoke.
The only thing that saved my sanity was the yarn. I chose Rowan Fine Art 314, a lively purple sock yarn with built in striping. The resulting zigzags in my sweater turned out very nicely: they make it lively and add a lot of visual interest to an otherwise plain garment. Heaven knows what would have happened to me, or to the sweater, if I had chosen a solid colorway.
All She Wants To Do Is Knit 
That’s beautiful!!! Congrats!!! =)
Love, love, love this sweater!! The pattern is lovely, the yarn is awesome. I made a pair if socks with this yarn using the Hermione’s Everyday Sock pattern and I live it. This is definitely going on my queue list. Beautiful job!!
Was it knit flat or in the round? I rarely knit stockinette flat because oh lord i hate purling. I’ve an irrational hatred of purling.
In the round.
I’m mostly a product knitter, so miles of stockinette don’t bother me. They make good tv knitting, or meeting/doctor’s office knitting. Picking an interesting yarn certainly helps though!
It is absolutely gorgeous. Bet it’s. Dry flattering to wear. But I’m with you on acres of stocking stitch. Yikes. I don’t think I’d even have attempted it!
I’m sorry about iPhone autocorrect. That should have been ‘very flattering’….
I loved knitting this sweater this wasa good tv knitting. I love the color you’ve chosen. Can we see it worn?
I like it! it looks so chic and comfortable!
Q – Quite Lovely!! I really like your suggestion about extra decrease rows at the neck for narrow shoulders – that’s my problem! Thanks.
Great sweater! I like the puzzle parts of a project, too. It makes it more interesting.
I love it! I’m so envious of people who can finish tops/sweaters/dresses in stockinette. I can’t keep my attention on something that long when it’s in stockinette.
I have a similar issue with stockinette. I have to put on a movie and knit while watching it to avoid going mental with boredom. Folded is beautiful though – well done for finishing it!
Nice job. I am glad you got your StSt knit back. Now you can enjoy your purple self this spring.
I’ve knitted my 6’4″ son 3 plain, top-down raglan sweaters, so I feel your pain. Once you get past the raglan shaping, Yikes! It’s stocking stitch all the way down. But stst is good movie watching knitting. TCM, here I come! 🙂
Anyway, your sweater is beautiful, the yarn is gorgeous, and in the end, all that boring stocking stitch paid off big time.