Sept. 30, 2024

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26 Aug

This project was the first of a series of three jumpers that I was inspired to make during my recent trip to the Nordics. I visited Copenhagen first for a few days, where I tried smorrebrod, an elaborate open sandwich with usually something like shrimp on top. The food in Copenhagen was a big highlight.

Although I don't think i've ever knit one before, the Danes are really popular knitwear designers so I thought it would be a good time to try some patterns while I was there. I also think they have some good quality wool yarns as well. So I took it upon myself to find some patterns from Danish designers and the Rikke sweater was my first pick.

I found the yarn in Copenhagen in a knitting shop. There were actually serveral knitting shops in Copenhagen, which I was very excited about. I hadn't brought any needles of my own on the trip so I decided to buy some interchangable circular needles. This is something I've been eyeing for a while. I do have some circular needles at home already, but they are an inconsistent range of sizes. So this time i thought I'd invest in a set from 3mm-5mm. 

The yarn I bought is Sandes Garn, which comes from Norway, in the colour code 2321. It's a very soft, natural alpaca looking colour, I love it! 

This pattern has been a joy to knit, because its one of the first jumpers I've knit top down and I love seeing the progress and you can try it on as you go. I'm also obsessed with the raglan stitches, and the rib lace pattern. This does mean though that it takes quite a while to knit, as you're constantly changing between knit and purl. But its worth it and am really enjoying it!

I bought 7 balls of 50g yarn, hoping that would be enough. I also prefer jumpers to be more snug fitting than oversized so in this case i knit an XS.

As I got to the final bit of the body, where you knit in the round until the desired length, I realised I only have 3 balls left and I haven't started the sleeves! So i switched to knitting the sleeves instead. If i can make the sleeves in the right length, I can use all the left over yarn on the body length, which is maybe less important.

15 Sep

Will be running out of wool soon. Have half a ball left! But progress is smooth. I feel like I could not have anticipated the fact that I needed 3 extra 50g balls. Seems crazy to me. I'm knitting the size XS and that pattern said 350g, which would be 7 balls. I think I was lazy with the fine print... I'm using a different yarn of course than the recommended one in the pattern, which has 180m per 50g ball. My Sadnes yarn has 100m per 50g. Quick maths means that my yarn only over 55% of the yardage required... So yeah that does make sense I would need at least 3 more balls. Oops.

At least this is available to order online for the UK.

23 Sep

The new yarn has finally arrived (3 extra balls) so I can continue working on this and hopefully finish this week! 

27 Sep

It's Friday and I'm finally finished with this jumper. I feel like its taken quite a while, even though I've worked hard on it. The rib pattern is just a slow one. I'm very happy with it though, the fit seems to be quite good. A little small perhaps, but I'm assuming its going to grow a bit in blocking. Currently drying from blocking, which might take a few days. 

So happy that it's done. I'll probably dive straight into the next knitting project, but its always good to acknowledge the achievement for a little while. Hoping to wear the jumper maybe on Sunday or early next week! Can't wait. I'll await the wearability verdict until then.

29 Sep

Verdict: Great fit, love it. Full marks for me... :)

Knitting Notes

- Pattern: Rikke Sweater
- Adjustments: Followed the pattern exactly for size XS
- Needles: No adjustments
- Yarn: Sandnes Alpakka Ull. Colour 2321.
- Outcome: Perfect

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