Debbie Bliss: Mock Rib Sweater

Mock Rib Sweater in Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed Chunky

I finally knitted something that I enjoy wearing.  This big baggy sweater in Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed Chunky Pink yarn is soooo squishy and comfortable.  As a pear shaped gal, I know that big and baggy on top, falling at my hips is generally not a good idea.  But, who doesn't love a big, sloppy sweater sometimes?

This pattern was well written and easy to execute.  Nothing to scare off a beginner like myself.  And the combination of a big yarn and a mock rib meant that it knitted up double quick.  I knitted a small for the front and a medium for the back.  I just cast off a couple of extra stitches at the arm holes on the back and this worked fine.  Arm holes should really be cranked forward a little bit anyway, I think.  I knitted small sleeves.

I am not a Barbie Girl in a Barbie World, but hot pinks do suit my skin tone.  So I go with them.  I found this yarn on a stock clearance table at John Lewis at the beginning of the summer.  So my sweater cost £39 plus the cost of the pattern.  Not bad.  I was listening to Radio 4's Woman's Hour, when I heard a piece about wool sweaters.  Apparently chunky wool sweaters are coming back into fashion.  For a wool/acrylic mix knitted in the Far East, expect to pay about £70.  For an all wool sweater knitted in the UK expect to pay at least £270.  I had thought the wool was indulgent, but now I feel positively thrifty!

Picture of me wearing it, in the poor light of my upstairs landing.

I really fancy a Fairisle sweater, but I don't think I can afford the quality I would want.  I wonder if I could pull one off.  It's a big jump from knitting a simple chunky sweater to weaving all those different colours around.  Maybe if I start with a vest...