This pattern has been calling me for awhile. I finally broke down and bought the yarn for it. I chose a greyish green which is fairly neutral. It only took about 2-3 weeks to knit up.I started first with the sleeves to see if I was getting guage. This was nice. When I got to the point on the body to add the sleeves they were already done and I could continue on.
The holes I had at each side of the underarm concerned me a bit. But I ended up weaving the stitches around the hole and pulling it shut. Worked great! I put light rings around the 2 finished holes with the computer. You can barely see the rings. If you click on the picture maybe they'll show up better???
Yarn: Cascade 220 - Color 4011 (7 skeins)
Needles: Addi Turbo: 6's and 8's
Added 8/4/06
This is a fairly quick knit. The stockinette stitch is mindless enough to knit while watching TV, visiting, or waiting somewhere. There is enough intrigue to break up the humdrum of the stockinette areas....start the pouch, fuse the pouch, add the sleeves, front placket, yoke decreases. All three girls want one. I think it will be perfect to play in outside when it's starting to get cold and coats aren't quite needed....or not put on. It's very comfortable and cozy.
I also wanted to add some of the hints I followed when making this sweater. Helpful website: Wallaby FAQ website
To make the hood less pointy: I did a stockinette hood so I did this tip - "put the two center stitches between markers about 2.5" from the top of the hood, then every other knit row decrease before the first marker and after the second marker."
Set up for pouch: p. 23 of Wallaby Pattern - 1st paragraph. This tip has you knitting a stitch in the row below with a separate needle for the pouch and slipping the body stitch to your body needle. Wasn't too fuddily holding both needles in my right hand. The Knitpicks Options needles came in handy with this part on the second Wallaby (didn't have those needles for this first one).
Front Placket: p. 23 of Wallaby Pattern - The "(2)" suggestion from Choppie Tarbox.
Arm increases: I didn't do all the arm increases in the row following the cuff. I thought that'd make it too puffy in the wrist. I did the "alternate method of increasing" on page 8 of pattern (kid's section). Funny thing was I didn't know that was there until I was knitting the arms for the second Wallaby for dd#2. Here I thought I was breaking the rules!
9 comments:
That's a great idea to solve the problem of the holes. I'm sure I'll be able to use that technique in the future. Thanks! The garment looks incredibly comfortable.
What a great looking sweater! Make me long for cooler weather so I can snuggle up in some good wool. Cascade 220 is one of my all-time favorite yarns...
Great job!
A cyber friend jsut yesterday asked me if I had seen this sweater. I love it. You did a beautiful job.. Where can the pattern be found? This just may end up being my first sweater
Hi Diane,
I got the pattern from my lys:
www.looseendsyarnshop.com
I've also seen it available at online sellers.
The pattern is a 24 page booklet (8.5"x11" folded in half) that has sizes 2(children size) all the way to XXL (adult size). I paid $6 for it...what a bargain since I'm making four of them (so far) in three different sizes!
The name of the pattern book is "The Wonderful Wallaby" and is published by Cottage Creations, Carpenter, Iowa.
If you do decide to make it, don't forget to check out the Wallaby FAQ link in my blog post. I found that to be helpful.
The sleeves on my newest Wallaby are too long for my friend. Is there any way to shorten them without taking it apart from the hood down?
You can shorten the sleeve without undoing the hood/top. Just pick up the stitches on the wrist end with some dpns that are smaller in diameter than the original needles. Then cut off the first couple rows of the ribbed cuff and ravel the sleeve to the picked up stitches. I did this once on some toe up socks that were too short. This does cause a 1/2 stitch shift in the stitches but if you plan it to be about in the same place where the cuff ribbing starts it shouldn't be too noticeable.
This pattern is definitely not for casual knitters!! I wish I had known that before I ordered it online. I've made a few things out of the "beginner's range," (i.e. booties using dp needles, adult sweater jacket, baby jammies with feet), so I felt like I'd be able to figure out the pattern. By the time I figure this one out, my grandchild will be into adult sizes...
I guess I'm going to break down and get that pattern. Ya talked me into it! It looks absolutely perfect!
I recently knit my first Wallaby. Link to blog post is below.
http://wyomingbreezes.blogspot.com/2011/08/wonderful-wallaby.html
I love the finished sweater, but the pattern is too wordy and at times confusing. I prefer a no nonsense pattern.
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