Pattern: Central Park Hoodie, Knitscene Fall 2006
Yarn: Queensland Collection Kathmandu Ara, 11 skeins
Size: XS (32)
Needles: US 4 and 6
Mods: Shortened the sleeves by 1/2 inch, added 1.5 inches of length to the body.
Since this sweater has no shaping, I was expecting something sort of boxy and shapeless, but I am pleasantly surprised! I knit the 32″ size and it came out to be a 34″ sweater with my gauge, so there is about 1/2″ of positive ease here. It fits exactly the way I wanted. It isn’t tight (I can button that other button, but I know that I won’t wear it that way) but it is fitted just the way I like my sweaters! I will not wear long sleeved shirts under things, and this is perfect with a t-shirt or cami under it. I am not a master of layering. The sleeves are perfect for me in both length and size, but I have super skinny arms, so be aware that the sleeves on this sweater are on the tight side. There are no photos with the hood up because I know I will never wear it that way. I love hoodies, but I don’t love wearing the hood… isn’t that odd? I used my new button method (backing buttons) again here, and they turned out so well! The pattern does not specify a button size, which I did not like, but I used 7/8″ buttons, and they seem to work ok. You could probably go up to 1″ but not much bigger without a different buttonhole. I didn’t need the top button, and I may remove is (or not – it looks ok, I just won’t use it.)
I loved the yarn, and after a wash it is not at all itchy. It also softened up and started draping nicely after the wash, so be sure to wash your swatches if you use this yarn! It also comes in a DK weight, and I can’t wait to try that someday. It was more pricey than I usually go with my yarns, but I think it was totally worth it. I would not try to seam with this yarn, as it breaks really easily then. It does spit splice nicely, which is great when you’re using this many balls of yarn! The color is hard to photograph, but the photo above is close. One thing I really like is that the tweedy bits are different for each color. I hate it when tweedy yarns try to use the same tweed colors no matter what the yarn is.
This sweater has a lot of finishing, especially if you think of the hood as “finishing” (I do!) There are a few hood mods I have seen (kitchenering it together, knitting the border in one piece) that I did not do, since I know I won’t be wearing the hood up.
More pics:
I so admire you! You are a veritable knitting machine, girl! Everything you do looks so lovely, and I love the changes you make to suit your body type. Another lovely sweater! I would love to send you the next 5 things in my queue!
Tricia
Beautiful as usual. I really love this design – if I needed another cabled hooded sweater, I’d totally knit it. Lovely job.
Looks fantastic! Yours is one of the first I’ve seen that doesn’t seem overly boxy…
Yours looks great!
This is one of my favorite patterns.
Oh it looks so great!!
And honestly that yarn is so cozy and warm that you would rarely want to wear anything long sleeve underneath it anyway!
Just beautiful! It looks really good on you!
I would love to knit this up, but ironically without the hood!! LOL
p
you did it, you really did it! it looks great!
I am truly impressed. I have just been surfing around the knitting tags on wordpress, determined to get back into knitting. The last thing I remember knitting myself was a 14 foot two color scarf (ok, maybe not 14 feet, but it sure seemed that long). The thought of tackling this *gorgeous* sweater is so far beyond me that I am completely in awe of your skills! I can’t wait to get to where you are (if I ever do). Well done – it looks utterly fantastic on you. Truly lovely.
Beautiful, as always! I’ll have to think about this one since yours turned out so nice!
Can’t wait to see the next FO!
I love it! And I’m glad to hear that the yarn is soft! I’m gonna have to track some down! Great work!
It’s a perfect fit! I think the added length does something for the sweater. I love that yarn, it’s a treat to work with, isn’t it?
Wow! Beautiful. Again, I am so inspired by you. I
just wish I had the time – I wouldn’t be able to finish a sweater like that until summer!
great job! it looks wonderful on you!
Looks great! Nice job.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Perfect. Just perfect. This is the first CPH that’s actually made me want to knit one. Sadly, I don’t think I have that copy of Knitscene! Maybe I can dig one up…
Yarnhog sent me to see your hoodie. I’m working on one in Cascade 220 tweed. I hope mine looks half as good!
Looks phenomenal, and fits you great! Love that tweed.
This pattern was a “like”, but I already had made/am making Mariah, Rogue, and Arwen, so it got tossed off the pile.
I think you might have just put it back on – BEAUTIFUL!
looks wonderful on you! I started this in the spring and then temps soared here in CA so I had to put away the wool. It’s about time to drag mine out and I’m nervous about the fit again since I made some mods for the arms (to widen) and the fronts since I wanted to put toggle buttons on. Yipes.
Yes, you are a knitting machine! This sweater is gorgeous. I’ve got some of that yarn (I think it’s the same – Jo Sharp silkroad aran tweed), so thanks for the recommendation!!
The wedding pics are beautiful, very classy.
I love stalking your blog – noone cranks out as many f.o.’s as you do!!
That looks perfect! Thanks for the info on the sleeves; my arms are on the muscular side so I will be sure to adjust for that if I knit this. And yeah, I definitely count picking up/making the hood as finishing.
Wow, you did a GREAT job on this one! I actually saw it on Ravelry first, and couldn’t believe this was the CPH. I don’t know why, but it looks so much different than all the others! The cables look different, the fit (obviously), it all looks different.. It looks *better*, is what I mean! That’s the kind of sweater I want!
As for the wedding photos – I LOVE that picture of you and Marc dancing. Get that one, for sure. You look so happy.
Looks terrific – what a great fall sweater. And what a great knit – congrats!! Perfect fit, great cables – it totally suits you!
Fantastic! This is just one of those perfect, wearable knits. Looks great on you, too.
It looks fab, and fits you so well. Nice job!
Looks great. I keep thinking that I really need to make one of these, but there is too much in my queue right now. Perfect size.
You are super talented. I am new to blogs and knitting. I was wondering if you have any suggestions using double pointed needles. I am trying to make my first pair of socks and I am having a hard time getting started. Any suggestions?
I too am new to blogs, and have only knit for a couple of years now. Seeing things like your hoodie give me so much insipiration! I am truly in awe of your skills, it came out absolutely beautiful. I never leave comments but your hoodie is so amazing I just had to!
Wow. That looks fabulous on you! Love the yarn andyou did a great job. This is one of my favorites that I’ve seen. (found through Ravelry)
Your Central Park Hoodie sweater looks fabulous! I am still working on mine. Reading charts is not something I enjoy, let’s just say:) I will have to keep this yarn in mind when knitting another sweater.
I love so many of the sweaters you have knitted! I looked through your blog and the difference is your not chicken to knit them like me. They turned out wonderful! The few I have knitted were not that big of a deal and ended up giving them to GoodWill. I have alot on my list that you have but unless my skills get better…LOL. I think my Central Park Hoodie is the only one I consider a real sweater so far. If I can just stick with it. I keep thinking that I am going to mess up the picking up stitches part and have to start over. That’s when I will put it down for a long time.
Anyways, love all that you knit and the yarns you choose. Love the stories too!
Wow, that’s a very pretty cardigan! I wish you could knit me one… Thanks for the link, Jessica!