Nantucket Jacket KAL

English Nantucket Jacket

2007-06-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

Hi. It's finished buttons and all!! It's taken me 2 weeks to get to a shop to choose the buttons with help from a friend. The photo doesn't show them clearly. The have a tiny gold rim. Actually the jacket is more important than waffle about buttons, but the wrong ones can ruin our masterpieces.

Size 36"It took just over 6 skeins of Cascade 220 ,turkish plum. I have enough left to knit and felt a matching pair of ballerina slippers. I lengthened the sleeves to 17.5"and I'm really pleased with them, (I didn't adjust the armholes). The jacket body is a little baggy for my taste but will fit over all my layers in winter and keep me lovely and warm. It is very stretchy and washing will have to be careful. I really enjoyed the pattern. Enough interest to keep going yet not too hard so that you have to concentrate each and every stitch. I kept to the original crochet edge pattern(which I think looks good) but did not edge the cuffs.

FO!

2007-06-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

That's right, I finished! I really enjoyed knitting this sweater. I was dubious about making a wool sweater with elbow-length sleeves, but after wearing it around for a bit, I've decided I like that feature. Overall, it was an enjoyable project that produced an end result I am happy with. However, I am still unsure about the yarn, Berroco Pure Merino. It's very soft, but it stretches a lot. I will have to be very careful when I wash this sweater.

Pattern: Nantucket Jacket from the Winter 2006 Interweave Knits by Nora Gaughan
Needles: US 9 Denise Interchangeables
Yarn: 13 balls of Berroco Pure Merino
Notions: 6 5/8" buttons
Size: 34" chest

Modifications to the pattern: After knitting the waist decreases as written, I knit for 2 extra inches before I did the bust increases. For the sleeves, I knit the sleeves for the next size up, to avoid them being too tight (however, I don't think this mod was necessary, since the yarn I used is so stretchy). When I crocheted the scallops on the sleeves, I did it with the RS facing and worked in rounds, instead of starting with the WS facing and turning after the first row. For the crochet on the button bands, I did the sc row in one hook size, then I went up two hook sizes for the scallop row. I also did the scallops as *sc, skip 1 st, dc/ch 1/dc/ch1/dc all in next st, skip 1 st* instead of *sc, skip 2 sts, dc/ch 1/dc/ch1/dc all in next st, skip 2 sts*. I found that this made the scallops stand out a bit better. Finally, I worked six buttonholes instead of five.

More Progress

2007-05-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

I have completed the back and one half of the front. So far I have pretty much followed the pattern, except I made the body 2 inches longer. This has been a relaxing yet engaging knit. But I am really curious to see how it will look once finished.

ribbit, ribbit, ribbit

2007-05-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

the sound of frogging.
At the risk of sounding like a poop, since you are all creating such lovely sweaters, I will expose my failure. I finished my sweater on deadline, packed it in my suitcase and finally tried it on when I got to DC. I was planning to wear this to give a speech.

Yuck

I was worried it would be too tight, so I knit larger and it is 3" too big. So much for a fitted look.

The sleeves also looked bad, just too short. And gumpy looking where they joined the body.

I tried it on at my local knit/bitch group and they had some helpful suggestions.

So the arms have come off and I am making them longer.

I will then sew the sides together without the gussets and also make my sleeve tops longer. wish me luck.

to make matters worse, a friend who is tall and slim tried it on and it looked fabulous on her.
boo hoo.

and then I lost the election I had to give the speech at.
Lori

Sleeves!

2007-05-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I just joined (thanks for accepting me, Amby!). I'm currently working on the sleeves of my sweater. I originally started with the back, but then I noticed a mistake and had to frog, so I decided the sleeves would be a better place to begin anew. Sleeve #1 is blocking right now. I'm using the recommended yarn, Berrocco Pure Merino.

WIP

2007-04-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

The back!

And, yes, I am moving painfully slowly on the knitting of Nantucket. But, look, the back!

blocking & finishing on a deadline, butttons anyone????

2007-04-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

I am sooooooo close to completing.

I just cast off the fronts at the top collar and I blocked it. I only sprayed it with water instead of washing the fronts, since I am short on time and have the rest of the sweater blocked already.

I am hoping to stitch the sweater together tonight, and crochet the edges and then I can take it on my trip to DC when I leave on Tuesday night.

I have to give a speech and in order to calm down, I made a goal for myself to knit this sweater to wear. I should be writing my speech but this is so much more fun.

So what type buttons have folks used please? I am going to go button shopping soon. thanks, will post photo when done.......

English Nantucket Jacket - Time for the sleeves

2007-04-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. We have had beautiful warm weather here for the last two weeks for our Easter holidays. The children being home and the chance to be gardening has meant my progress has slowed and the temptation to knit summer garments has to be resisted.

Perhaps I should just sit in the garden knitting mu jacket. I was a bit worried about some of the comments regarding the length but measured another jacket and it was 12" to the armhole so the 13" should be fine for me.

Can anybody help with the sleeves. I want to make them full length, is it best to still cast on the same amount of stitches or start with fewer and increase to the elbow. My brain is not good at calculations at the moment.

I'm really enjoying the KAL. It makes the world a smaller place.

Back is finished!

2007-04-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

I've finished the back and am ready to cast on the two sides.....but I'll probably take a break and finish up one or two other projects before starting. After all, I won't get to wear it until next fall!

Finished!

2007-04-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

It's done! I used 5 skeins of Patons Merino Classic (plus a little more for the crochet edging) and size 8 straight bamboo needles. My gauge was a little tighter than called for, because I like a tighter knit. Other modification: I cast on for a size between two sizes because I was afraid that it would be too tight. Although it took a little bit of knitting math, it wasn't too bad. When it came to the arms, I cast on for the bigger size and I was very pleased with the fit of the arms, and it didn't create any problems with seaming them into the smaller sized side/back pieces.

I did knit both front pieces simultaneously, so that I wouldn't do one shorter or longer than the other (I'm pretty bad at adding/subtracting a row here and there and wanted them to be exactly the same.) I knit the sleeves the same way, two at a time.

This is the first sweater I've ever knit, (unless you count that one that was basically two stockinette rectangles seamed together on the sides and at the shoulder) and I thought the pattern was very easy to follow. Also, I really enjoyed the cabling patterns! They were easy to memorize, but never got tedious. This is the first thing I've knit that I didn't feel an overwhelming urge to "hurry up and get done," and I enjoyed every stitch.

Things I learned:

Knitting the side pieces at the same time and doing the sleeves the same way was a really good idea.
Patons classic merino can do a number on dry hands. Ouch!
Knitting on 13" straight needles is hard when you're knitting in a crowded car.

Next time, I will:

Cast on for a size much smaller than the one I knit. It came out really big (like 3 inches on each side too big).
Make the torso much longer (it's a little bit on the "cropped" side, even though I'm a short-waisted gal.)
Make the sleeves full-length (I wanted to do this, but got all caught up in "following the pattern" which is so not like me :)
Knit on circulars instead of straights.

Thanks for the KAL! I am LOVING seeing everyone else's Nantucket Jackets!

Progress on English Nantucket

2007-04-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

Hi

I've finished the back and started on the right front. A few problems and unpicking but not bad for someone who had a stroke in November and finds it hard to read normal print and think straight at times. At least I knit quick and have to spend my days at home recuperating so not too much of a disaster.

Can anybody help with lengthening the sleeves? Did you just add inches or start with less stitches and increase to the cast on number at the elbow?

Happy Easter to all of you knitting keeps me from eating too much chocolate!! Caroline

Still Knitting...

2007-04-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

... and occasionally tinking. It's coming along, though! This is where I'm at after an evening of knitting with a friend, a glass of wine, some homemade potato soup, and some chocolate. About 4 inches to go on the front pieces (I decided to knit them side by side, and I'll do the sleeves this way, too). I have to say that being someone who prefers mindless yards of stockinette, this pattern has really been a fun and easily memorized knit. I can't wait to wear it!

Sooo close to being done!

2007-04-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I'm new to the KAL but not to knitting (been playing with sticks and string for 20+ years now - yikes), and this is my (long overdue) update:

Here's my progress so far (just about a month's worth of knitting). I'm using TLC Cotton Plus in Kiwi - and its knitting up really nicely. The actual color is much lighter (see Kiwi link), but the picture without flash does a better job showing all the detail (and, yes, all of my mistakes, too ;-p)

I had originally used this yarn for another cardigan (all stockinette) and it grew to enormous proportions, so I frogged the whole thing and decided to use it for the Nantucket Jacket - I am making it a size smaller than what I might normally choose, just in case it decides to grow again. ;-) I'm about ready to start the decreasing for the cap in the sleeves (knitting both at the same time), so its very, very close to being done. I'm making the sleeves a bit longer (more traditional 3/4 length), and also a size larger than the sweater. I also added a couple of inches to the length, because I'm not quite built for cropped sweaters. :-)

I'll post a finished-product (or at least closer to finished) a bit later. I'm so glad this KAL exists 'cause I never would have known or thought to add extra inches in all those important places!

Joan

So far, so good

2007-03-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

After a few false starts, I've worked my way through the back panel and am now starting on the collar on the first front panel. Yahoo!!! Thanks for letting me join the KAL!

An English Nantucket Jacket

2007-03-27T01:07:00.000-07:00

Hi

Having discovered 'Interweave Magazine', I kept being drawn to the picture of the Jacket. I last knitted a aran cable pattern for my school jumper. I decided to knit it in Cascade 220.Turkish Plum is such a beautiful shade. I hope I've got enough as I'm going to extend the sleeves. The body should be long enough as I am vertically challenged. I've already amended the pattern slightly as when I started the chart B section I didn't like the look of the 'holey yo'. I've just left it with the seed stitch,keeping the markers in place andI really think it looks great. I'm using US size 5 needles. The existence of a KAL has also been a revelation, once I realised what a KAL was... Caroline

The Jacket Grows on a Roadtrip to Nebraska

2007-03-26T08:34:00.000-07:00

Went on a roadtrip to Nebraska (from Kansas) this weekend to view the sandhill crane migration on the Platte River. In about 10 hours of riding in truck, here's what I accomplished! I'm ready to do the last bind-offs on the shoulder shaping on the next 2 rows, then bind off. The color in this photo is far more orange than my yarn actually is... it's more of a "paprika." Thanks for driving, honey! ;)

Ready to start!

2007-03-24T03:33:00.000-07:00

My yarn has finally arrived and I'm busily swatching. Like quite a few others, I'm having trouble getting the gauge - I've already gone down 2 needle sizes so I may end up uisng a 5 or 6. I can't wait to get started! This is the first time I've used Eco yarn and I love how it knits - and the washed swatches are wonderfully soft. It really bleeds when you wash it though.....

New Nantucket Started...

2007-03-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

I just started the Nantucket and although I had a few hiccups at the beginning (then I remembered how to count!) I'm finally on my way and working on the first decreases, using Patons Classic Merino and my gauge was right-on. That said, I found that when I cast on for "my size," it was coming out HUGE... So I cast on again with size 8's and a number of stitches of my own between 2 sizes. It's great to see all of the other Nantuckets out there!

Hello

2007-03-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for letting me join. I joined back in February and haven't posted yet. Here is my progress this far. The right front was cast off last night. I am using the Berroco yarn the pattern calls for in Sapling. This is my first adult sweater and I am enjoying the pattern very much.

An Very Unexpected Setback

2007-03-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I was so organized for my trip. I completed the back at my first stop and so was able to stow the back and cast on both fronts for the two flights to my destination, the
Turks & Caicos Islands in the British West Indies.

We spent a week there and I did not get to knit a lot, but made some decent headway knitting on the beach, in fact I will post a photo of my heaven, the beach, a beer and my knitting.

So for the return home, we had 3 flights just to get us to the location to pick up our kids. The security scanners at the Provenciales Airport took my needles!!! I was knitting with an addi turbo circular and I tried to reason with them and even with their boss, allwomen and they did not care. Being with a large group, they all thought I was nuts, but the officials told me that knitting needles are on the list of things not allowed. I explained that I had flown many times with my needles, but the British do not allow knitting needles. So I guess I will have to send a letter to the Queen.........

Although once I got on the plane the woman next to me was knitting with, yes you guessed it, metal circular needles. And another guy we were with had two lighters. geesh. I guess they had it in for me.

By the time I got to my second to last stop I picked up another pair of needles, sure hope I got the right size, I think they were 3's.........dang..........all those wasted hours on the airplane. So beware, BWI is not nice to knitters.

The Growing Jacket...

2007-03-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

I've copied and pasted an e-mail I received below, if anyone has any suggestions for Dawn, please do post them here, she checks the KAL blog regularly!!! Also, if anyone does have contact info for Norah Gaughan, let me know...I haven't come across any yet.

"Amby,I am not a member of your knit along, but have been watching the progress online for a while. I finished my own jacket yesterday and washed it to block it. I am using the suggested yarn, which is wonderful, but now have a major problem! Once my sweater hit water, it stretched to twice it's original width.
I was wondering if you have contact information for the designer so I could ask if I am the only one, or if there is a simple solution. I would also like to know if this has happened to anyone else in the KAL. I see that a few of the people are using the suggested yarn. I have contacted Berroco about it and hope that they might write back, but I'm not sure.
If nothing else, I'd like to pass on what happened to me to your KAL so that others using the same yarn can be careful. I think that washing the swatch before taking the gauge would help. It really is a wonderful yarn, but I would hate to see anyone else go through this, since I think that I'll probably have to frog it and start over.Thank you for any information you have, and for passing along my warning.
Dawn"

(Im)patiently waiting

2007-03-08T05:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks for letting me join - I am (im)patiently awaiting my yarn and hope to start working on the jacket this weekend. I used some "junk yarn" this past weekend to practice the pattern and think I'll be ready to jump in when the yarn arrives. I'll post a picture of my yarn when it gets here.....

I've been knitting for about a year and have discovered that I like to knit more and more complicated patterns and learn new techniques with each project. This one should be quite a challenge!

progress!

2007-03-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

I finally managed to count to 140 and cast on...

Here's my Nantucket back up to the second bust increase. So far, I'm in love. I can be fickle, tho, so we'll see how long it lasts.

Yarn hunting

2007-02-22T16:53:00.000-08:00

Hi all, I've been working on other projects and swaps so haven't started yet. I wanted to use a cotton blend so ordered some Classic Elite Four Seasons cotton/wool but am disappointed with it. Hate to pay to ship it back but I have to LOVE the yarn I work with.

So I'm going to exchange it for some Berrocco "Love It" cotton blend. I saw some at the LYS and it looks lovely. Wish me luck in picking a color I will fall in love with. Shopping on the web is a bit risky, especially when picking colors, but that's the only way I can get what I want (usually).

Congratulations to all the progress I see on this blog. Keep up the good work! Jana

Newbie

2007-02-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

That looks awesome, bertandfelix, any action shots?

I just joined this KAL, I am just about finished with the back, just have to do the decreases for the shoulders. I did add about 2 inches to the bottom. I was thinking of doing the sleeves/armholes for the next size up but have decided against it. I'm making this for my mom and she's but a wee wisp o' a thing so I think she'll be fine with the smaller sleeves. I love how it's looking so far, though, and it's a fun and quick knit.

I'm using cascade eco wool in wisteria - it was on sale at the knitting zone for $10.85, so this sweater will only end up costing between $25/30. Whoot!

Done!!!

2007-02-18T17:49:00.000-08:00

I finished the sweater last week and even wore it once! I am so happy with the sweater. I used Bouton D'Or, Ceres and added about 2 inches.

I did do the crochet around the edges and thinks it really makes the sweater.

Making Great Progress

2007-02-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

I've just finished the back part of my Jacket. It was certainly a challenge for me.

I did enjoy it very much. I'm anxious to get it completed. I'm making the size 44 simply because I don't like things tight/form fitting too much. I'm using the recommend Berroco Merino yarn and boy does it have alot of stretch to it. But it feels yummy. I'm attaching a photo.

I only work on this at home when it's quiet. I don't dare take it to my LYS for Knit Night because I tend to talk way too much and lose my spot.

how very sad

2007-02-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

I finally cast on the back of Nantucket at my knitting group last night. The sad part is that it took quite a few tries to do so because I can't seem to count to 140. Sad. Sad, sad, sad.

The good news is that I'm finally starting!

And we've switched...

2007-02-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I disovered this morning that this blog has been, um, forcibly switched over to the new Blogger. I wasn't given the option to stay with old Blogger, unfortunately. If I understand this correctly, you will not be able to post to this blog until you also change to the new Blogger (although if I'm incorrect, please do correct me in the comments). I think Stef has already run into this problem. :-(

If you are definitely adverse to switching over at this time, feel free to e-mail me your post, and I'll post it under my name, but signed by you.

Any other comments/suggestions are always welcome.

(Oh, and on a Jacket note...I've slowed down somewhat due to a hectic personal life, but I've started the right front, and intend to do a sleeve after that, to see if my alteration calculations will work out. I figure I can baste it together and try it on!)

Hello!

2007-02-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks for letting me be part of the KAL! I'm knitting my rich, red Nantucket jacket in Berroco Ultra Alpaca. I'll try and post pics tonight or tomorrow.

Just started Jacket and have a couple of questions.

2007-01-29T15:05:00.000-08:00

First of all let me just say, Thank you for allowing me to join. Just a little bit about me. I've only been knitting for almost 2 years now. I live in Georgia.

I’ve started Nantucket Jacket, I started with the back. I’m to the bust shaping and it says to end with WS. Does that mean that my next row should be a RS?

And could someone possible give me a little easier interpretation of in the Shape bust area of working new sts in rev St st. I understand that it is reverse stockinette stitch. Just working purl stitches on the right side now, but just wondering if it’s the first or second stitch that should be worked in rev St st since I'm only increasing 1st on each end?

I may just be reading way too much into it but I love to learn and love a challenge.

Thank you so much for any assistance you can give.

Take Care all,
BJ

Status Update

2007-01-29T08:27:00.000-08:00

Well, it's done. Sort of.

All the knitting is done, and it's been seamed, blocked, and had all its ends weaved in. However, we then approach the taboo subject of crochet.

I have nothing against crochet, but I have pretty much no experience with it. So I crocheted an edging around my swatch to try it out, and then tried it on the real thing.

It... didn't look that great. So I ripped it out. At the moment I am putting it aside until a friend of mine (who is quite good at crochet) visits so that she can help me through it a bit.

However, I can make a few notes about the fit of the sweater. As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I made the 36" bust size, but then factored in the tiny sleeves and made the arms and armhole shaping for the next size up. So my sleeves very much fit, and could in fact sustain a somewhat bulky shirt underneath them. So, if anyone is looking for a way to get a better fit in the arms, this seems to be a good way to do it.

I had seen complaints on a few blogs about the length being a bit too short, but as I normally have to shop in the petites' section of most stores, I didn't bother lengthening. The result is a sweater that is pretty much exactly right for my height.

Even without my edging finished, I feel quite vindicated that I managed to come out with a garment that fits well!

Slow Going

2007-01-28T08:34:00.000-08:00

I've been working on my jacket. Since I was taught to knit by a brilliant woman, I reviewed the pattern and transcribed it into an Excel spreadsheet to easily knit from front edge to front edge - no side seams! :) The spreadsheet made it easy to learn the pattern, and after a couple of rows, I did not need to refer to it for every stitch. This is my first me-sized sweater, and I am really excited to see it grow. Come on over to my blog to see my pics!

Too many choices.

2007-01-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

My brain seems to be vapor locked on the cast on for the Nantucket and I can't progress beyond which one to use. For those who have moved beyond swatching -- what kind of cast ons did you use and how do you feel about them? Danielle -- which one did you pick?

Weekend knitting

2007-01-15T19:48:00.000-08:00

Hi! I am a new...my name is Mary!

Thought I would post on my progress. I am almost done with the back. Sooo happy after starting it over 4 times. I am using Bouton D'Or Ceres. I bought a few years ago to make another sweater that I have fallen out of love with. So, with the New Year's resolution of using my stash...I am using it for the Nantucket...it is the same gauge. Even with that I had a hard time getting gauge. Might not even be there now with size 6s...but close.

Here is my blog...http://www.bertandfelix.typepad.com

I started my Jacket!

2007-01-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

I knit my swatch, but I didn't wash/block it. My guage is a little off - I am getting 4.25 stitches/inch. This will work out fine because the largest size of the pattern is just a teeny bit too small. I frogged my swatch and cast on - then realized I should have taken a pic of the swatch ... oh well. I decided to knit the two front pieces and the back together - this way the only seaming I will have to do is the shoulder and arm. I am planning to knit the arm in the round, so that will elimate that seam, as well. I would take a progress pic, but it isn't so exciting with just 4 rows ... hopefully next week there will be enough to be camera worthy!

Thoughts before starting

2007-01-11T14:54:00.000-08:00

Hi all-- I've swatched twice and am finally about ready to start. But first I need to make a couple of decisions.

- Does anyone have a cast-on to recommend? Since the bottom is raw, I'm concerned my usual long-tail will look uneven.
- Any suggestions on modifying the seed stitch gussets? I read Cathy's tale of woe.

Thanks! Pictures and kvetching will eventually go up on my blog.

Check this out...

2007-01-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

All hail to those intrepid souls that came before us! Wander on over to Cathy's blog, her two posts about her finished Jacket (with pics!) are a great lesson on what she liked, what she didn't, and what she would do differently.
Nantucket is/is not done
and
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Ready to start!

2007-01-11T07:25:00.000-08:00

My yarn arrived last yesterday! I ordered KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in the Maple Syrup colorway. It is exactly what I wanted - coppery and cinnamony - yum! I can't wait to start my swatches. Come on over and see the picture of the yarn!

would like yarn for warm weather months

2007-01-10T17:44:00.000-08:00

Hi all, I live in North Carolina and our climate ranges from very hot to mildly cold. So I am always on the look-out for yarn that is a cotton blend, instead of primarily wool. I like the shorter sleeves on this pattern, so I'm knitting as designed.

I've found some Classic Elite Four Season Cotton (70% cotton/30% wool) that looks promising.

Does anyone else have any recommendations for a cotton blend that they like? I usually find 100% cotton to be too stiff and more difficult to knit with.

I won't be starting Nantucket until after I finish the Cardigan for Arwen - but congrats on all the progress posted so far!

Jana

Operational issues

2007-01-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

Hi all! I'm so excited to see the pics of people's progress! So many gorgeous Jackets in such a wide spectrum of yarn and colors! I, um, don't have any pics of my progress since I haven't made much, BUT I did bring everything with me to work today so I could work on it at lunch.

I created a button for the KAL which you are more than welcome to use (save to your own server please), or if you create one, feel free to send it to me and I'll put it on the sidebar.

I've sent out invites to everyone I've gotten an e-mail request from, so if you haven't received your invite, please e-mail me at kamcneil(AT)juno(DOT)com and let me know, I'll resend it.

If I don't have your blog address (if applicable), I've just made your sidebar link to the KAL address, let me know if you have a blog you'd like your name linked to.

It looks like there are still some issues between "old Blogger" and the "new Blogger" which is tied to Google. I did a test by sending an invite to myself at my Gmail/Google e-mail address, and the link worked fine and I was able to accept the invitation. If you're having a problem in that area, and I sent your invite to an address other than the Google/Gmail one, please let me know and I'll resend to your Gmail address. I think that works because you have to already be signed in to receive the invite, so it allows you to accept the invite without signing in again. I really do want everyone to be able to post and participate, so let me know if you continue to have problems!!!

Finally, maybe I'm reading it wrong, but it looks like Blogger may eventually be automatically upgrading everyone to the new Blogger, so that may take care of all the issues altogether.

Happy knitting, all!

Jumping In...

2007-01-08T20:17:00.000-08:00

....and hoping to avoid the frog pond. I've been knitting socks and lace shawls for years, but this will only be my second sweater. I've ordered Mission Falls 1824 in "Ink" color for the sweater. I've been swatching with a sample ball I had on hand. I did an initial swatch on US 8s and got 8.5st/2in, changed needles to US 7s and got....drumroll....8.25 to 8.5st/2in. Changed back to the 8s and got....yep 8.5/2. I think I'll calculate gauge at 8.5/2. Now, next problem. I've been reading all the posts about gauge and my cronies at Longmont Knits (our SnB) are a bit disconcerted by the large number of stitches to cast on. I think I've rationalized the large number by the take in of the pattern and the little darts at the hip, but I'm still nervous. Especially since I'm "horizontally gifted" and will have to do some number crunching for this project. Oh, and the sleeves. There will be NO half sleeves in my horizontally gifted life. ;^) I'm really hoping this yarn holds up well to the stress of the ribbit.

This looks to be a fun knit! Lots of angst, lots of calculation and lots of warm and pretty when we finish!
wooliedi

Here is My Yarn

2007-01-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

I got this on sale at

WEBS

I really like the color and the tweediness of it. I have started the sleeves, a bit longer than the pattern and will post a pic when they are more impressive. :)

Ta Da - My sleeves are done!

2007-01-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

So, I decided to start on the sleeves, to try and figure out the pattern. I understand the pattern and think I have mastered that screwy twisted rib stitch, and even managed to post a photo, although its sideways.....hmmmm

I also managed to goof on one of the cables (see if you can spot it on the photo with the two sleeves)

I knit them 2" longer than what was called for.
It was fascinating to learn of the contrast of two neighboring parks

Now, I think I will be brave and cast on for the back now. Lori

Button

2007-01-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

Congrats to whomever designed the button, it is beautiful...still waiting on my yarn to get going...

2007-01-01T11:19:00.000-08:00

About the Nantucket:

Because I am *that* sort of geek and had some holiday money to toss around, I am using the yarn mentioned in the pattern -- Berroco Pure Merino -- in a raspberry color whose name escapes me. I spent Boxing Day swatching and got gauge with a size 9 circular. There was one brief moment of dismay when I realized how very, very loose the swatch got when I got it wet to block it but it dried back to its original dimensions.

Right now, my plan is to lengthen the sleeves and armscye because I hate three-quarter sleeves and have fat upper arms. Other than that -- I'm not sure what my mods will be.

About me:

Hi.

I'm Adrienne and I blog about knitting, kids and writing here. Um....what else...I just had a book published and I am completely wiped out from our trek across New York and PA over the holidays. And haven't had nearly enough time to knit. (or sleep, really, but there is no Sleep-along that I can join.)

Help with gauge please

2006-12-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

Ok, my learning curve is big, I just figured out how to post.

Nothing to show yet, just a really long gauge with a result of the st stitch gauge with a needle size 4 and the pattern with a size 3 - using Cascade 220.

What is wrong with me? Is that ok to use teeny needles?

Should I change yarns?

I am itching to get started. thanks, Lori

First modification complete!

2006-12-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

Hi all! I hope the holidays were wonderful for everyone! I didn't get as much knitting done as I'd like (although I don' t have to be back at work until Tuesday, so there's still time!), but I did finally get to the eyelet portion of the jacket's back. In this pic, the orange stitch marker indicates where I would have stopped decreasing the seed stitch and started the eyelet column, had I been following the directions for the 41 1/2 bust size. Instead, I kept on decreasing the seed stitch, continuing in pattern, until I was down to five stitches between the markers, then started the eyelet column. This keeps my size looking more like the Interweave pics (complete seed stitch triangles), more accurately follows my measurements, and added 2 3/4 inches of pre-blocked length to the back. I'm planning to add back those additional eight stitches I decreased in the bust increases. My copy of the pattern is turning into a rainbow of highlighted modifications!

The "Barn Red" KnitPicks Andean Silk isn't quite as bright red as this pic seems, but in terms of a yarn substitution, I'm very happy so far. I can't wait to finish the back so I can block it!

On the technical front, has anyone switched to the "new" Blogger (since they're supposedly out of beta), either before joining this "old" blog, or afterwards? One of the members is attempting to join by following the link in the invitation, but it's not letting her sign in under her Google/new Blogger account. My personal blog is through Typepad, so I don't have much experience through Blogger...if anyone has any suggestions, definitely let me know! Thanks!!!

Yarn is on it's way!

2006-12-29T07:56:00.000-08:00

I ordered KnitPicks Wool of the Andes for my jacket, in the Maple Syrup color. I am really looking forward to this KAL, as I have not knitted a sweater for myself. Most of my knitting has been baby-sized for various charities. I will probably have to modify the pattern to make it fuller in the body - I wear a large size, and need room for "the girls". And let's not even talk about the sleeves! I don't like tight sleeves, so I will definately be making the armsythe a little deeper and the sleeve a little fuller. I can't wait to start my swatches!

Progress

2006-12-21T05:34:00.000-08:00

Well, this is kind of an old picture, but I figured I could at least post a few notes about my current progress. This shot is from right after I finished the back. Right now, I am a few inches away from the end of the left front side and gearing up to start on the sleeves.

I'm making my Nantucket Jacket in Cascade 220 in Lime Heather. The color in the picture is a little dark, but you get the general idea. I'm not really a red person, so this will suit me much better.

I'm making the 36" size, but I'm making the sleeves from the next size up, due to my arms not being tiny sticks dangling from my torso. To accomplish this, I've just done the sleeve decreases for the larger of the two sizes, and will knit the larger sleeves as well.

Thanks Amby

2006-12-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for taking care of the blog issue. I am here and plotting the yarn I will use for this sweater which my first alteration will be to make longer almost fingertip as I am taller and have fingertips, no I am tall and the longer length would be more becoming..

Welcome to the Knitalong!

2006-12-19T06:28:00.000-08:00

This will be a knitalong blog for the Nantucket Jacket in the Winter '06 Interweave Knits. It seems like a lot of modifications/rewriting are being done by knitbloggers, so this is a place to share your changes to the pattern, get help and feedback, and show off your pics! I can't wait to see the finished jackets!

To join, e-mail me at kamcneil(AT)juno(DOT)com. I'll approve everyone as I get them, if you don't hear back within a couple of days, please e-mail me again.