Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Chunky Jacket for My Chunky Guy

You know how it is; you have gobs and gobs of Christmas knitting (or crafting, or shopping, or whatever), and instead of spending your precious time working towards that lofty aim of giving Christmas joy and cheer, you fritter it away on something entirely else that is completely unnecessary.
But, oh, how cute!
When Gabe was born (yes, it's been awhile, but I have a rather sizeable Mt. Rushmore style of stash), I bought a few skeins of lovely bulky tweed yarn called Patons Shetland Chunky Tweeds in hopes of making him a sweater or cardigan.

I finally got around to doing that this past week, and I'm thrilled with how cute it came out. I used a basic chunky cardigan pattern (found here), and embellished it a bit.
The solid tweed was really nice, but I felt it needed a bit more. Simplicity is not something I aspire to, because I know that's completely out of my reach. I like drama. And complexity. And mess.

I can achieve that.

Anyway, I had so much fun adding a crocheted trim to Miss Boo's shrug, I decided to add a single crochet edging to this little number.Insert rant here:

Why, oh WHY is tweed usually so ugly? WHY!!?! Tweed should look rustic. Tweed should look sophisticated. Tweed should look essentially English and laconic. Instead, the junk or semi-junk yarn that tries to pass itself off as tweed looks like a clown vomited confetti all over it! (For an example in tweed ugliness click here. Or here. Then go to your therapist. Quickly.)

Rant over.

Love the pattern (although I'd make the sleeves two inches longer next time), Love the yarn (very soft, very washable, very durable), and loved how quickly it knit up. Bulky yarn is certainly fast stuff to work with!

Best of all?

I love the chunky guy in the chunky jacket.
For Ravelry pattern specifications, click here.

5 comments:

Ellen said...

Wow, what a great sweater! I love the color. He is getting so big!!!

Explore-Science-Beyond-the-Classroom said...

I miss my chunky monkey and can't wait to plant a big fat kiss on those cheeks! What a great sweater! Be sure to bring it.

WELCOME TO TuttleTime! said...

Love that Chunky guy, too!

The Sweater is gorgeous...well, handsome! :) You are so talented with knitting.

Kit-bert: "semi" eevil HR Director said...

The sweater is amazing Rachel - LOVE the designs on it too!! and what a cute adorable chunky monkey model!! :) Can't wait to see you guys!! Love you!

LA said...

Rachel, LOVE your site! i saw you mentioned on PW woman and loved the scarf i saw there, but THIS is just about the MOST adorable thing i've ever seen!! do you ever sell these kind of items? please email me at your convenience - thanks!
leighannet@gmail.com