It feels a little anti-climactic, but here are the details on the HoJo Pullover I knit for Jessica.
Pattern: HoJo Pullover by Fiona Ellis, from the fall 2002 issue of Interweave Knits.
Yarn: Berroco Pure Merino, 12 balls of blue, 1 each of cream, lime, rust.
Time Elapsed: Definitely under a month
Modifications/Notes: I made two modifications–switching the pure merino for the (discontinued) Classic Elite Follies called for in the pattern, and knitting the back in a solid color instead of adding another fair isle band.
I thought, since the color work is so high on the front, that it would look strange to continue the fair isle in the back without also adding it to the sleeves. Jessica proclaimed the sweater perfect, so I’m glad I did this. Note to others considering the same thing: You’ll need more blue.
It was an interesting challenge to knit such a fitted sweater for someone else, especially as a gift. I enlisted the help of her boyfriend (hubby’s brother) to get the measurements of one of her favorite existing sweaters, and knit to that. It worked out quite well, but I wouldn’t have wanted to try without “cheat” measurements to rely upon.
This project included something unusual–fair isle done flat with patterning on both sides. I didn’t find doing wrong-side fair isle work to be difficult at all, and as the wry punster mentions in her little series on color work, it definitely cuts down on the bulk. I can more viscerally understand the advantages of an adult garment done this way, now.
I’m not sure there’s much else to say–but this sweater sure was a pleasant way to end my knitting year!
Amy Herzog Designs