I have a few knitted sweaters in my wardrobe that are thick and roomy, hardy and cozy: perfect to wear while raking leaves or running errands on a blustery morning. They’re nothing fancy, but they’re very useful and I get tons of wear out of them.
Then there are the special sweaters; the sweaters I wear only when I’m on my best behavior. Wearing these sweaters makes me stand a little taller. Wearing these sweaters makes me choose white wine over red at a party (the better to clean myself up if I spill). These sweaters are so special that they elevate the rest of the outfits they are worn with (even yoga pants look semi-dressy).
I speak of these special sweaters as a plural thing. They’re actually singular –I’ve only knitted one so far. But having finished that one, I know that someday I will knit more. The plural is aspirational.
The New Hotness
Here’s my awesome new Briar Rose Tunic — the Caitlin Holiday 2015 Sweater ™.
The pattern is by Elisabeth F. Parker and was featured in one of the first Interweave Knits issues I ever purchased.
The yarn is Sun Valley Fibers MCN (merino, cashmere, nylon) worsted in the Sangria colorway. The color, skein to skein, was not completely consistent, so I alternated skeins throughout. This yarn so soft! I wear this sweater next to my skin and there is literally no prickle at all. None. I’m a big prickle wimp and I don’t notice a thing.
The first time I blocked this sweater, it came out way too long (almost a mini-dress!) and way too wide. To wear it, I’d need either: 1) a new set of fantastic wonder-orbs, or 2) to inject my shoulders with a Schwarzenegger gene complex. The yarn, when wet, seemed eager to stretch, and I was a complete dolt and let it have its head. Lesson learned. Measurements are there for a reason. After a couple of days in time-out, the wool submitted meekly to re-soaking and re-blocking.
All She Wants To Do Is Knit 
That is absolutely beautiful! You should be very proud (and wear it often!)
Gorgeous.
That’s absolutely stunning. I think I need one.
Lovely; have not though of re blocking as an option! thanks for sharing the tip.
very sexy!!!
Beautiful
Bet that looks fab on. Looks like it would hug all the right curves.
That is a stunning FO!!
Thanks. I’m pretty excited to wear it.
This is absolutely gorgeous. I love those cables!
They look a lot more complicated than they really are, which is always something I appreciate about cables.
The Briar Rose sweater is gorgeous and fittingly named for you, CaityRosey 🙂 ♥ ❤
I rather liked the name serendipity too.
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Lovely!
Thanks. I’m getting lots of wear out of it.
[…] the dream, I had unraveled my new holiday party sweater and started knitting something else with the yarn: a plain, shapeless cardigan with no character or […]