28Thirty Sweater

With camera flash on, you see more of the green in it (above)

And without flash it really looks darker...

28Thirty Topdown sweater by Zephyr Knits-Cascade 220 Superwash wool-loden green -4 skeins, size 8 circular

I learned alot about topdown construction on this pattern, and for the first time I used a superwash wool. While I wasn't too impressed with the superwash wool I used, as far as the "pilling factor", it was a fun knit and introduced me to the beauty of a topdown garment that you can try on as you go.

28Thirty Sweater Finished

While indoor lighting isn't the best, here it is. This is the 28Thirty pattern by Zephyr knits. I used 4 skeins of Cascade 220 superwash wool in a loden green on a size 8 circular needle. Knit from the top down, sleeves knit last with magic loop method. Shown with collar flipped down. A little white show-through from my shirt underneath. This looks dark. It is very dark loden. Almost looks dark grey. Depends on the light. I think the superwash 220 is a little lighter weight and stretchier than I expected it to be. I liked that after blocking I could tumble it lightly in the dryer.

These are some views of front and showing waist shaping that I improvised.

8 buttons were required. I added several more inches to the length of the body than original pattern called for, and made the cuffs shorter.

I decreased every 5th row on the arms after knitting 6 inches down in stockinette from armpit. The purled ridges on the sleeves I stopped at the armpits. The collar can be flipped up or down.

Wore it for the first time tonight to "knit night"! Temps are dropping here so just in time for winter! Would consider doing again in the originally called for Peace Fleece wool or another heavier wool than the superwash. I really do like it and it is a versatile color. Learned alot!

28Thirty Progress

Blocked and sewing on buttons next... I even gave it a little tumble in the dryer on very light heat (superwash wool!) at the end of blocking.

So evidently the cat has put her claws of approval on this one as good for camping out on. I leave for a few minutes, and see what happens?

I am not sure about the waist shaping until I block this and see how it all comes out. I think my experimental shaping may have done the trick. Above shown in natural light.

This one showing more the true color of this yarn and how the sleeve ended up. I didn't do the cuff as long as pattern called for. And omitted the purl ribbing down the sleeves. Now I am about 6 inches into the 2nd sleeve and will start decreases. I think I avoided the "armadillo and Michelin man" thing by omitting the purl ridges and doing decreases every 5th row after 6 in. stockinette was knit from underarm.

28Thirty Sweater Body

Shown after dropping sleeve stitches onto holders, and continuing down in stockinette stitch for the body of the sweater. Must keep in mind that a buttonhole goes in every 18th row. Note: the pattern has you put buttonholes on opposite side than you normally would. The purled ridges are cute up until this point, however I will do the sleeves from here on in stockinette stitch, until reaching the cuffs. This is a modification on the pattern which calls for you to do the purl ridge rows every 6th row all the way down the sleeves. My reasoning: I agree with some on Ravelry who say this gives the sweater a bit of a "Michelin Man" look, or an armadillo look (especially in the green color I have chosen!) A fun knit so far, and again, I am learning so much. This is my first topdown sweater. Advantages to doing a topdown are that you can try it on as you go and make adjustments if needed. It is a bit tight when tried on so far, however I have hopes it will stretch a bit when blocked and it is somewhat hard to try on with it on the needles!

NeenerKnits' 28Thirty Sweater

Cast on today another WIP (Work In Progress): a sweater called 28Thirty. I saw a gal at REI and noticed her sweater right away and it was her very first sweater! She did such a great job too! She told me what pattern it was so I paid $6 on Zephyrstyles.com to download it. I am doing it in this loden green since it was a Superwash 220 wool on sale today and they had 5 skeins of it. Pattern is knit from the top of the neck on down and has some interesting detail in it. It is cropped, but alot of people doing it are lengthening it. And some are varying the sleeves, etc. I am seeing all this on Ravelry.com. Here's a shot of 28Thirty so far. Starting from the neck and knitting downward, this is with the first buttonhole showing on the left. I will have to pause my work until I can find a 32" or longer size 8 circular needle (harder to find) since soon I will need to have to increase to 276 stitches on the needle as I knit the front.

I am still working on the Everyday Cardigan and have finished the back of it, and now have started on the right front. It looks kinda the same as my previous pics, so I won't post a new pic on that yet!