This.never.happens.
I knitted a jumper… and we had a cold snap. I was pretty excited (and I hate cold weather) because I could wear my new jumper also straight away!
A elevator ‘selfie’ – the day the weather turned cold!
There are similar designs on Ravelry in heavier yarns which would be much faster to knit up, however I had always lusted after a fine knit jumper in a neutral tone and decided to challenge myself.
Pattern
The pattern is Relax by Ririko, purchased on Ravelry (links at end of post).
I liked the wide boxy body with the fitted sleeves; a plain knitted & slightly rolled neckline; and the ‘eyelets’ running down the body from the underarms.
A tiny thoughtful design feature. Relax by Ririko, Ravelry
A simple boxy shape. Relax by Ririko, Ravelry
Given the considerable time involved in the project, I decided that I would indulge myself with some quality yarn. So after much agonising over colourways, I ended up choosing MadelineTosh Pashmina in Fallen Cloud. It’s a merino/silk/cashmere blend (75%/15%/10%) and it’s truly divine to knit with. I really happy with the drape of the finished jumper and the lack of ‘scratchiness’ that I used to associate with home knits.
Needles
I also purchased Knitpro Symphonie needles from an Etsy supplier (links at end of post) as they are also lovely with work with (and to look at).
Time Commitment
I tried to knit ten rows most days… some days I would knit more… and some weeks I didn’t get a chance to knit at all. I did want to finish in time for winter and felt that having a finishing goal would inspire me to pick the needles up and get through it.
I cast on 31 January and finished on 14 May. I’m not a fast knitter and while I’ve considered changing my technique, my tension is extremely consistent. So I stick with my rather clumsy knitting style – I’m not seeking a gold medal in the knitting Olympics, I just knit to relax and create the odd garment that I want.
Back view: Relax by Ririko, Ravelry
I had never done a ‘three needle bind’ off so I diligently followed a Youtube clip, beautifully cast off my shoulders, knitted my sleeves… and then realised I should have re-read the instructions as the ‘three needle bind’ off in this occasion is done so the seam sits on the outside of the garment. Derp.
I considered my options. 1) Plough on or 2) frog the sleeves, frog the three-needle bind-off and start again. I decided on option 1 after a few days of consideration. To be honest, it wasn’t the time involved that put me off. I had started this project at the end of January so another week wasn’t really a deterrent. While I think the external seam is an interesting design feature, the top also looks lovely without it and probably even more austere which I didn’t mind. So I’ve left it.
Relax by Ririko, Ravelry
I finished the neckline and also didnt’ like my bind-off. So I ripped out the neck (only 7 rows) and started again. I bound off using a slightly larger needle and it ‘rolled’ in a much nicer fashion.
Techniques
I learn a few new-to-me knitting techniques in this project.
- Three-needle bind-off
- Frogging a bind off
- picking up a dropped stitch several rows on (wow, that saved a massive heart attack!)
Youtube is an invaluable resource. When I get stuck knitting, I pop over to Youtube and search for the knitting technique that is causing me some bamboozlement (yes, that’s a technical word for knitting numpty moment) and I watch a few clips until I find one that makes the most sense to me.
While I’ve always used mattress stitch before (I learnt this very useful stitch when I made sculpted teddy bears), I watched a couple of Youtube clips specifically on mattress stitch and knitting and then made a special effort to make the side seams as invisible as possible. I was pretty chuffed with my efforts (I know, fat head).
Mattress Stitch: Relax by Ririko, Ravelry
I think I will knit this again, perhaps next year in a richer hue. I just adore the simplicity and positive ease of garments like these.
I quite enjoy knitting, and while I love a challenge of lace and cables as much as the next, just being able to pick up the needles and mindlessly knit was more enjoyable and relaxing than I imagined.
This project was a pretty big indulgence for me (considering exchange rates and postage!) but worth every cent spent and minute creating every little stocking stitch.
Pattern: Relax by Ririko, Ravelry
Yarn: MadelineTosh Pashmina, Fallen Cloud. Purchased from yarn.com
Needles: Knitpro Symfonie Wood Fixed Circular Needles, from CollieCraft1 on Etsy
Just in time for winter! Relax by Ririko, Ravelry
Sew Busy Lizzy 
Gorgeous jumper, looks professional and really nice on you. I’d love to have a go at knitting but I think it looks way more complicated than sewing. Might do it one day. Quite envious of your talents. Xx
Thanks Sarah. I’d encourage you to have a go & be persistent. Don’t start on something like this as while it’s quite easy it is quite a time investment which can be frustrating while you learn. Beanies, hats, cowls and scarves are a good place to start – in a worsted weight or something similar as you get a result in a shorter time frame which is encouraging.
I was pretty ordinary when I started – my first jumper (years ago) I cast off the neck so tight that I couldn’t get it over my head lol.
YouTube is amazing. I don’t know how people taught themselves before that! I think it makes the craft much more accessible to people.
Thanks for the encouragement. I always feel more inclined to knit in the winter whilst sitting in front of the TV or something. At least I see it as something that I can do in my living room in the evenings. Might have to start with a scarf this winter then. Xx
Looks wonderful!
Looks lovely, I really like the eyelet detail 🙂
I absolutely love this top and there may be one in my future, I think!
Great top – I am a you tube knitter too with a touch of craftsy class… It is well worth the while to use great yarn is my number one discovery… Love your top.
Really gorgeous. I too am highly soothed and satisfied by endless stocking stitch but only in the round! And knitting is absolutely too slow to compromise on yarn – the madelije tosh sounds superb.
So true – I don’t understand investing so many hours in any garment without purchasing quality yarn!
In this case, the front and back are knitted in two pieces…. although the sleeves are knitted in the round… however I confess I prefer flat sleeves – knitting ‘magic loop’ for such narrow sleeves drives me crackers and I kept thinking ‘imagine if I was knitting both at the same time… flat!’
A lot of this sounds like a foreign language to me, but it looks fabulous. 🙂
The wool is just beautiful and the style is so classic and lovely. Love it!
Your mattress stitch is beautiful to see.. or rather not see. Great job.
This is a lovely sweater. I love the stockinette stitch, over and over and over again 🙂 It’s very relaxing.
This is absolutely gorgeous! Such a beautiful yarn.
The pattern is supercute and the yarn beautiful too. Great job!!
I want this for me. I love it! Great simple pattern in gorgeous yarn. Winner winner chicken dinner!
Beautiful garment! Very professional looking (like all your makes 🙂 ). That wool sounds amazing!
You knit aswell ..? Geez Man .. 😜 What next !? Gorgeous Job done !
This is a lovely piece ;o) I aspire to knitting my first cardigan this year, I’d better get a wriggle on! Thanks for the needle link, postage seems very reasonable (I might need a few more sized tips for my knitpro circular interchangeables).
I knitted quite a few Andi Sutterland ones a few years ago. They knit up quickly in worsted weight yarn.
I’d love to have an interchangeable set – it’s on my wish list!
Sew Jillian also sent me a link to an Australian supplier for these needles. I’ll dig it up if I can for you.
Knitting is such relaxation (in my opinion!) And it is wonderful that you get something as gorgeous as your sweater at the end. The yarn looks gorgeous, I will have to check it out.
Oh this is my kind of hand knitted jumper. It looks terrific on you. I also love the colour.
Lizzy can you advise on where to learn to undo a bindoff in order to redo it? I’ve been putting off learning this because it’s my first ever knitted sweater and seems too possible to ruin permanently…
You can easily just undo you slip knot & rip out the row & pick up the stitches BUT that always makes me a little nervous as I may miss a stitch or pick it up twisted. So I found a YouTube clip called ‘removing a bind off’ by Whiletheyplay
I found it really helpful.
Good luck!
I’ll admit that this has made it to my “to make” list after seeing your version. It’s glorious. I’m not sure my budget will stretch to that sublime MadTosh but I’ll have fun finding an alternative!
The cost was one of the reasons that I put my version off for so long. However once I considered the time of construction it suddenly seemed not so indulgent… well that’s what I tell myself!
It’s a perfectly valid explanation! I’d stick with it! And I do believe your version was worth every penny…it’s so beautiful.
This is so gorgeous! What a lovely sweater!
Wow! superb knit&post. Am actually knitting Relax right now. From camel&merino (dark blue). Still got a few weeks to go. I decided to give the pattern my own lazy twist and knit in round for the body, just before the increases start. It’s a risk.. but i hate purl-stitches (if not in cable or lace) so so much 😀 if it comes out all wrong.. i won’t start-over, i’ll just wear it like a pro 😀
I’m not a huge fan of purl rows either… especially such long ones! I considered converting it to a knit-in-the-round but I’m never confident enough of my skills to change a knitting pattern.
I’ve worn this quite a bit, it’s such an easy jumper to wear.