Could I love this sweater any more than I already do? No, I could not. It is perfect. A perfect knit, a perfect finished object. I love everything about it.
pattern: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne
yarn: Socks that Rock, heavyweight, in Tanzanite, just a shade over 2 skeins (probably 750 yards total, as per pattern)
size: XXS (a few inches of negative ease)
needles: 8
cast on: September 15
bound off: October 4
modifications: none needed
notes: If you’re considering using Socks that Rock (which I would highly recommend – I think it’s a perfect marriage of pattern and yarn), and you’re going to do this sweater in the XXS version, it’s possible to get by with only two skeins. I did 18 repeats of the lace on both body and arms. I could’ve gotten by with 16 or 17, probably not had to start a 3rd skein, and then just blocked it aggressively enough to get it the length I wanted. As it is, the fit is perfect for me – arms and body both fall exactly where I wanted – but I didn’t block very aggressively, at least not length-wise.
As some of you know, I agonized over the buttons a ridiculously long time. The buttons I thought I had in my stash, the ones I used for the February Baby Sweater, were not actually there. So I went to Joann’s to buy more, and of course I ended up with several other options in my bag. After much polling, online (even Pam herself rung in) and at home, the consensus was still in the direction of my original choice. Little Buddha declared my second choice (a beautiful coconut button) to be ugly, and my original choice to be perfect and beautiful “because it’s colorful.” Who am I to argue with the aesthetic of a four year-old?
FLS, now with buttons! (and matchy purple handknit socks)
verdict: possibly my favorite knit
Happy!
I fell in love with this Socks that Rock colorway last February, when I knit the February Baby Sweater for a charity auction. The whole time I knit it, I kept thinking how much I’d love to make the exact same sweater in the exact same yarn, in me-size proportions. Four months later, Pam made it possible, with her free pattern. I knew immediately I’d be making it, and in the same yarn, but it was a few more months before my queue cleared up enough to cast on. Oh, who am I kidding? My queue didn’t clear up at all. I just suddenly became obsessed when fall hit, and I knew I needed my sweater. Right. Now.
the man who made it possible
Around that same time, I got obsessed with something else as well – Dexter. My Old Man and I watched all the episodes of season one and season two over the course of about two-and-a-half weeks. It’s no coincidence that that is exactly how much time it took me to knit this sweater. I could call it my 24-hour sweater, since I watched roughly 24 hours of TV while knitting it, but I like to think of it as my Killer Sweater (that does sound better than Sociopath Sweater, yes?).
I love it so. I love that it can be totally elegant, or that it can just class up a casual ensemble.
churching it up
feeling kicky in a homemade A-line skirt and Italian boots
feeling classy
with jeans
Did I mention that I love this sweater? Because I love it. I lovelovelovelove it. I am going to wear it whenever I need a pick-me-up. I am going to wear it whenever I need a boost of color during the long grey days of winter. I am going to wear it till it falls apart.
February in October
perfect, indeed! and the pictures with this post are simply gorgeous. You are seriously making me want to knit another one in worsted weight yarn…
and at the risk of sounding like your crazy blog stalker, you look absolutely radiant in these pics.
The sweater is so flattering on you!
Is it a bloggy coincidence or what – Cheryl of Seed Stitch also posted her February Lady sweater with matchy socks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cherylf/2973339322/).
That sweater is spectacular! It looks just right on you. (And Little Buddha picked the right buttons, I do believe.)
wow…that sweater is so awesome. i really like that purple
YOU love it? I wish I could be you in that sweater. Really. Especially with those argyle tights and Italian boots. It really does go with all different types of outfits. You never have to take it off!
Completely killer!!
It. Is. PERFECT.
That IS a killer sweater!
yay! it’s so good, Stacey! the yarn is *perfect*, and you look fabulous.
(also, omgdexterdexter!! can’t wait for S3.)
It’s beauuuuutiful. The colour, the fit, everything is perfect.
I haven’t really been loving this sweater – but on you it’s beautiful! And your enthusiasm is quite contagious! ENJOY!!!!!!!
so much fun to see you enjoying this sweater so much. also great to see it worn all these different ways. looks great on you.
now that is an FLS. you look amazing in it, in all of its incarnations. mine is done but awaiting a proper photo session and quite possibly another aggressive blocking as something is up with the length. but i lurve yours to pieces.
i do not know how often you swing by my blog but i have a little giveaway going (my first). come comment if you have a chance.
It’s gorgeous, and it looks fantastic on *you* — I love it too!!
That is one killer of a sweater. It looks fabulous on you!
oh la la, c’est parfait!
congrats!!!
You look so beautiful in that cardigan. The colour and shape are perfect on you. You, quite rightly, look so happy !
Fab !
:0)
Your sweater is gorgeous! I think we may have been sharing a wavelength – my FLS is purple and I’m almost positive that I had the same buttons from Joann’s in my hand for mine! I decided to go with some pewter buttons instead though. The buttons are absolutely perfect with yours!! I love the way they mimic the subtle shifts in color in the STR yarn you used. Beautiful!
You can see my purple FLS and the buttons I chose on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/chavahsdaughter/february-lady-sweater
Its beautiful! this sweater has certainly moved its way on my queue 🙂
and, dexter…. my, you speak my language.
Love the sweater!!! I may just have to make one for myself, but I don’t think it will look as cute on me as it is on you.
so much to love here… the color, the fit, the gorgeousness of the sweater and how fabulous it looks on you!! these photos are just lovely and the sweater looks so pretty and comfy. congratulations!
xo
Totally beautiful!
Gorgeous! Absolutely great photography too. Where did you get those tights? love em!
Crap. I have never liked this sweater until I saw yours. Now I have to add it to my huge long never-ending queue. You are a dangerous woman!
It’s beautiful, by the way 🙂 And did you use a pattern for the skirt? I want to make a plain a-line skirt and for some reason can’t find a pattern.
O love it, and you even used the button I wanted you to! It’s fits you perfectly. lol, I can tell how much you really love this…just by how many pictures you posted of you in it!!! Enjoy it,
Marissa
As one curlyhead to another, I am curious: do you ever blow-dry your hair, and if so what dryer do you use? I am trying to find a good one.
This sweater looks fantastic on you! I love purple and I love that yarn. I’m going to make this sweater for NaKniSweMo (hopefully 🙂
I love all of the different outfits you paired it with. So cute 🙂
Beautiful! You look very classy in your new threads.
Lovely job! The color is perfect for that sweater, and it looks fantastic on you.
Love the color, love the sweater. I was able to download the pattern; can you give me a hint on where to find the yarn? A weblink to a supplier would be terrific!
Thanks a bunch!
Beautiful!!!! FLS is going to be the next sweater I knit. And Dexter. Excellent show. Can hardly wait for season 3.
Yay! It is fantastic.
Awesome. Beautiful knitting, perfect sweater, gorgeous happy you!
Everytime I see a new FLS I understand why it’s being knitted up so much, and wonder how much longer I can resist the urge to get the yarn to knit it myself.
Looks fabulous! I can see why you’re so happy with it.
I love love love it. So Beautiful! I must make one for myself, perhaps in the same colorway, ASAP!!
That’s a beautiful color on you!
I said it on flickr and I’ll say it again – I want one! In purple! STR! It turned out so lovely, and it’s so rewarding to knit something that you absolutely love!
Very beautiful. I am also a major fan of socks that rocks! 🙂
I am in love with this, too. I must knit it.
Until then, I will be here frequently to ogle it. I promise not to be creepy. Too much anyway.
Wow! This just might be my very favorite FLS ever.
gorgeous. if only i could make my attention span last longer than a hat.
I wish I could find the courage to try knitting. I’m only a crocheter at the moment. Made a sweater for my daughter, and for her doll… http://pinkpolkadotpoodle.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2007-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&updated-max=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=50
Don’t know if that link will work, but I’d love to know what you think.
Thanks for posting such beautiful work… I’ll be back to check out often. 🙂
Lynn
gorgeous. absolutely gorgeous. and i can’t believe that it only took (less than) two skeins of STR heavyweight! amazing!