box sweater

Can't believe it's been almost six months since I've posted! In the time I've been gone, I graduated from college, went to South America, moved to New York and got my first big-girl apartment, started my first job...life has been a little crazy. But I'm determined to keep this blog up, because I don't want something that I'm so passionate about to get lost in the shuffle or pushed to the side. On that note...

This box sweater is the first project I've finished in my new place. I've been dying for sweater weather for weeks now, and have been operating on the logic that maybe I can will it to come faster if I start on my fall knits now.

I got (stole?) the idea of adapting this Berrocco pattern from Karen Templer's truly inspirational Knit the Look series — it's an awesome read for anyone looking to knit something a little more fashion forward than what you tend to find on Ravelry — and adjusted it to fit my vision (and my stash). I tend to gravitate toward roomier, more androgynous cuts with lots of fabric for extra coziness when it comes to sweaters, rather than sexier, close-cut shapes, so I used a chunky wool-mohair blend and added lots of positive ease. I also decided on a little extra length in the back to add interest and prevent the sweater from riding up.

While I love how this piece turned out and have been living in it, it could very easily have been a huge flop, because I committed one of the cardinal sins of knitting during the design process. I made a too-small swatch and didn't block it, and I almost paid the price when the sweater stretched to literally double its original size as soon as I got it wet. Luckily I had been hoping that it would open up a bit and it eventually shrank back down. I think I'll be sticking to home projects for a while, but when I come back to garments, I won't be cutting any corners!