Owls

I just finished the most fantastic sweater EVER! I have found my new favourite pattern, and will probably make it again many times. The sweater is Owls by Kate Davies, and has currently been knitted by nearly 2500 Ravelry users. You can’t argue with that sort of popularity!

The sweater is knitted from the bottom up, with a fitted look created by waist shaping at the back. Many of those who had already knitted the sweater found the shaping a bit problematic, with a sort of baggy effect forming at the top of the back. I tried to eliminate this by trying the sweater on regularly while I was making it, and adapting the shaping to fit my own measurements. I started off by making the 36″ size, and then did less increasing after the waist shaping than recommended in the pattern. I made the body very long, added the sleeves, and then knitted the yoke in the 34″ size for a close-fitting look. I can’t decide whether or not to add button eyes, so I’m leaving the sweater plain for the moment to see how I feel.

The whole thing took only 4 days to make, but the sleeves knitted up in 2.5 hours each – such a quick project. I used Sirdar Peru, which is a lovely soft blend of wool, acrylic and alpaca – the only downside being that you can’t machine wash it. I’m so happy with this project, and I’m just about to start making the child version for the kids!

The Owlet sweaters will have to wait a bit though, as first I have to finish the fair isle 1940’s style sweater that I’m working on just now. Here’s a sneak peek of some of the patterning…