Size 13 to Size 1 Over the Holidays

US needle sizes that is -I've NEVER been a dress size one! Last fall, I knit myself a big blue sweater on size 13 needles and realized I LOVE bulky knitting, and decided my next project would also be on those very same needles. For my next bulky knitting project, I decided to knit my husband a sweater with a three ply lambswool I'd spun awhile ago and really like. There wasn't quite enough though, so I spun a contrast yarn using rovings from my ram, Paris. After spinning the yarn, I then chose a pattern, A Vogue classic Men's Ribbed Pullover. Of course, it was not designed for a bulky yarn.



I loath this step of the project: figuring out the math when adapting a pattern to a different yarn and needle size -which is usually the case when using handspun yarns. Measuring from a sweater that fits for a pattern and then knitting a gauge (or two or three) and crunching the numbers is essential for success, boring as it may be.



I like this step of the project: knitting happily along...



...until it's finished.



And I love this part: a sweater I've knit by hand finished, and worn by the person I made it for.



When I finished my husband's sweater mid-holiday, I downsized and knit myself a pair of (not technically fingerless, because they have fingers, but without the tips, so what are they called then, open-fingered?) gloves on US size 1 needles (I probably should have used needles one size smaller) using the yarn from the knitting guild's gift exchange, a baby blue alpaca-wool blend. And my current project? A handbag/backpack knit with a bulky single. I'm loving it!