Knitting… one of those endlessly therapeutic crafts… once you master it!
I had the Sous Sous jumper in my Ravelry queue for quite some time, it looked quite complex, large and daunting. However when you keep coming back to something, at some point you either abandon it – or you rise to the challenge.
ref=”https://sewbusylizzy.com/2018/06/06/soussous/sousous3/” rel=”attachment wp-att-6512″> Sous Sous – front view. There’s some colour pooling at the front lower edge… you can’t ‘un-see’ it once you’ve ‘seen’ it. One of the dangers of beautiful but variegated hand-dyed yarn. I love it despite the ‘flaws’.[/ca
It was a pleasure to knit with beautiful Madelinetosh Merino DK yarn and a gorgeous set of circular needles I received for Christmas.
I was guilty of being very excited about this project right from the beginning!
Construction
The front and back and knitted in two pieces. The shoulders are seamed and you pick up stitches to knit the sleeves. The side seams are then sewn… and it’s done!
There is an enormous amount of moss stitch and the cables are quite simple once you get into the pattern.
Sous Sous – back cable detail
I did have issues with the sleeves. After ripping out my first sleeve attempt about four times, I just knitted in pattern in a way that made sense to me and that worked rather than following the pattern word for word. Very brief notes on Ravelry here.
Sous Sous – moss stitch
I’ve only steam blocked this. I think it will soften and relax again with a gentle wash and block later.
Tips
I’m no knitting guru. Every project you learn something, gain more confidence, try something new. And every project I’m on YouTube deciphering and mastering a new technique!
I’ve found Very Pink Knits on Youtube very helpful. Clear concise demonstrations of techniques.
Thoughts
It is an unusual shape and I was slightly concerned when I finished that I may struggle to wear it. Turns out I love it. It’s a lovely casual layering piece, easy to slip on over everything and anything. Perfect for those in-between days when it’s neither cold or hot. If I had the time and patience I would be tempted to knit one in a few more colours!
Sous Sous – back view
The back is large and weighty and I find the weight makes wants to slip backwards… but I love it enough to forgive it for that. However when you look at the back photos on the pattern itself, the shoulder seams are set over the back of shoulder.
I originally thought I would like to change the front curved hem or raise the neckline – however I’m so glad I left the proportions as they are… for me, it just ‘works’ and has been worn quite a lot… in fact it’s perhaps my most loved thing I’ve ever made!
I tell no lie, this jumper is very roomy!
I was so impressed with the design of this pattern that I purchased the Cable Source Book by Norah Gaughan. It’s an absolutely beautiful and detailed book which includes techniques and patterns – highly recommended to all the knitting people out there.
Details
Pattern: Sous Sous, Norah Gaughan on Ravelry here, purchased via Ravelry.
Size: the smallest one – finished bust size 132cm or 51 inches.
Needles: Knit Pro Golden Light Gift Set, purchased from Morris & Sons (on sale!)
Yarn: Madelinetosh Merino DK in Cloud Dweller, purchased from yarn.com
No affiliate links – purchase where you choose.
action shot…
as randomly snapped late on night in the work lift – thank goodness for mirrored lifts!
Me?
I’m doing OK – thank you to those who send me lovely messages and check in on me.
I’m running but not excessively. I run about 30kms a week. I don’t push myself too hard but somehow have taken a minute off my pre-accident 5km personal best (and my calves are getting too big for my long fitted boots and also my jeans LOL!). I have plenty of restrictions, no weights, no lifting anything above my head, rollercoasters, contact sports, painting ceilings, chiropractors and other things – things I can live with. Sometimes anxiety eats away at me – and I get sad or emotional – but that voice gets quieter as I leave ‘that day’ further behind.
I managed to complete the run leg of a 70.3 Ironman in Port Macquarie about a month ago (that’s a 21.1km – or 13.1 mile – run), you read about it here. It wasn’t a stellar effort – running on a hot day at midday, about 26 degrees celsius, full sun and no breeze. I agree, it was perhaps not the smartest idea but it did go some way to restoring my faith in my physical abilities again.
Next weekend I’m in Perth running in the Western Australian Marathon event. I have no intention to attempt a marathon until I’ve ‘passed’ an MRI or get some sort of clearance from the endovascular specialist – my next one isn’t until November. I’m just running another half marathon in a relay team with a lovely friend – who is running her first ever marathon. No stress. Just fun with friends.
First appeared on ww.sewbusylizzy.com
Sew Busy Lizzy 
The jumper looks fantastic and amazing. You’re so clever, and it’s good to hear you are well and finding time to work on your blog again! I don’t have any sewing/knitting/crafty projects that I keep coming back to but there are a few races I look at every few months. It must be time to abandon them – or rise to the challenge.
That’s right. Some days you’ve just got to buckle down, grit your teeth and get into it!
Love this jumper!
I confess… me too!
Hi Lizzy I love your jumper. I’m not a knitter but will get some time to learn one day… I would wear this in a heartbeat too. It looks great on you. I’m so pleased you are not letting your health dictate to you… being fluid and fitting in with what you can do is important and ignoring what you can’t do at this time. It was great to see you at the High Tea again.
I found knitting a real trial for quite a while. So I tried heavier yarn (10 ply) which helped me create some wearable (and much loved garments) instead of the lighter yarns.
YouTube is an amazing tutor. And so is patience.
So great to see you at High Tea. I really miss all my road trips. But can’t do everything at the moment. The driving is hard on me at the moment. I get really tired!
I’d love to come up for Frocktails but it’s Father’s Day weekend which might be too hard.
Great jumper – and I can see just how useful it must be as a layering garment. It looks very comfortable but still stylish.
It’s good to hear that you are exercising again but can you please not make 13.1 miles sound easy? It took me an age and more determination than I thought I possessed in conditions nowhere near as difficult as yours 😂.
I love your jumper you certainly pull off that look 😍 glad to hear you are improving . Good luck with the marathons, that it is a big achievement in my books. Take care 😘
That yarn just seems so ‘you’! This is a great design for it too ;o)
Well it’s blue 🤣 that’s always a good starting point for me!
Gorgeous design. I think I’ve found a new favourite designer. Beautiful details with a little bit of quirk
Glad to hear things are getting better!
I was a bit taken aback at how badly it shattered my self-confidence. Wondering if you might have a stroke, lose your speech… it’s a bit daunting… but as I say, the further you move away from ‘it’, the easier it gets to deal with.
I love the sweater! I’ll have to add it to my “someday” list. It’s wonderful to hear that your health is steady and that you’re able to keep up running. It would be so easy to get defeated by such a traumatic experience!
I think you can choose to not be defined by the things that happen to you. I’m more than a hockey accident or torn carotid artery. I choose to live every day 😊 from bad things come good things, you just need to look for them
Your jumper is gorgeous, those cables are devine! And I’m very glad to read that you’re keeping well.
Fantastic. You know, I would never have been attracted to this jumper on its own, but seeing it worn casually, with the jeans and top makes it look fantastic. Really love the colour as well.
Random moment, but really appreciate the honesty of your comments as well. Thanks for that, and I hope your run goes well.
Love it! It’s beautiful 😍… I am a fan of Nora’s design… it’s never boring. I’m glad to know you’re doing well
Thanks! I wear it constantly. I adore her designs, classic yet never dull or predictable, there is always a twist.
I attended a workshop with Nora last year and she is an amazing teacher and a very talented designer and did purchase her Cable book after that. Good to hear the anxiety voice is getting quieter.
I’d love to go to a workshop with her, her designs fascinate me. Have you seen the latest Vogue Knitting book, 40 of her designs. It’s on pre-order now
https://www.amazon.com/dp/164021027X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_n.akBbM7XER13