Friday 14 February 2020

The Loki Low Down

I have finished my Loki Sweater. I say sweater, the more observant of you will notice it doesn't have sleeves, shall we settle on round-necked tank top and I will tell you all about it...



I was stranded on Sleeve Island with not enough wool to get home. I thought it might happen when I started but I was willing to take the risk. I did try and knit 3/4 length sleeves but it didn't look at ease with a northern wintery pattern on the body.



I tried adding some of the cream wool to the cuff of said sleeve but it was more than a cuff really and I knew it wasn't right. It looked like what it was: a woman who had ran out of wool and knitted too much of the sleeve in the wrong yarn. Cream cuffs don't really have a place in my lifestyle either: cooking, dog walking, teaching children; they wouldn't be cream for long. 



So one night I asked Bloke what he thought. Maybe someone who knew nothing about knitting could come up with an idea that I hadn't even thought of but he said, "Why don't you try and get some  more of that wool?" Oh if only. I bought it in an end of line sale bin at Wonderwool last year. I don't even know what it is! To me it was a a great big skein of wool for £10.







Anyway, I decided to add ribbed sleeve facings and turn it into a tank top. I can wear a thin jumper, a long sleeved T-shirt or in this case a shirt underneath. I love the body shaping, length and width so I can use this pattern shape again if I want to and add the sleeves when I have more generous amounts of yarn.



 I also liked a new technique I learnt which was a three needle bind off on the shoulders. Here you cast off the two ends of live stitches together which makes for a really smooth finish and a seam that won't stretch out. It is like adding stay tape to the shoulders (if you sew you will know what I mean). It would have really come into its own if I had the weight of long sleeves hanging off the dropped shoulders but alas I didn't. Still, a good skill to learn.






Some you win, some you lose. I will never stop taking knitting and crochet risks - where would the fun be then? Jo xxx

11 comments:

  1. well , you did suspect you might not have enough wool but this garment is not a failure in fact its a huge success! Overcome and adapt . I love the cream pattern.Suits you well.

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  2. Oh it's lovely, you've made a beautiful job of it, sleeves or no sleeves. The three needle bind off is a thing of beauty as well. Cream cuffs have no place in my life either, everything is carefully designed to disguise mud, ie. brown. Hope you have a good weekend. CJ xx

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  3. It's lovely though isn't it? Also a very pleasant change from a long sleeved sweater. I think the colour very pretty too.

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  4. Your Loki tank top is just perfect, the pattern is gorgeous. Cream cuffs never a good idea, much too fussy. I now want a Loki jumper... but I don't think there is one in me at the moment. Have a cosy weekend xx

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  5. I actually think it looks better as a tank top rather than a sweater - all the focus is on that "northern wintry pattern", which is so beautiful. It looks perfectly balanced too, just as if it was always intended to be that way. Serendipity!

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  6. That is a great idea, I have a long tank top that shape so you have still made a wearable garment. I think it would look good with a cream long sleeve t shirt and jeans, I know you said you don't do cream cuffs but you could push them up for messy jobs. x

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  7. Love your "sweater". Wish I could knit. I took sewing in school when I was in grade 7 and learned some knitting stitches but my tensions was always a problem. It corresponded to my mood!! Myra, from Winnipeg, Canada

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  8. I would call this a win! It's beautiful (you're such a good knitter) and versatile too. Great colour. X

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  9. It’s such a stunning design and I think it looks great with short sleeves

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  11. Jo it is fabulous. Who need sleeves anyway? I mean it looks so wonderful and you can wear it with many different tops under it to add interest. You did great my friend.

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