A Gold Medal Day!

It started here, somehow.
Am Kamin
Pictures of this beautiful sweater, knit by a Japanese knitter, floated around the blogging world. At least the knitting, blogging world. And then Theresa knit hers for the 2006 Knitting Olympics. Someone knit this amazing sweater in 16 days! Maybe I could do it? I bought the yarn in May, and by July of 2006, I'd cast on.

Now, in February of 2010 (February 19, to be exact) I cast off.
IMG_0314
I cast off in a lovely tubular cast off. I wove in my ends, popped the sweater in a bath, and by midnight, it was laying out to dry.

I've had it on ever since.
IMG_0305

Am Kamin
  • From the Japanese book, New Style of Heirloom Knitting
  • 8 skeins of Cascade 220, Color 9404, Ruby
  • Knit on size 4 and 6 (mostly 6) needles
  • Pattern is one size -- I made it larger than designed.  Actually since I cast on for this sweater, I've started making my sweaters closer fitting.  I think I'll be fine with this more boxy fit -- it's a sweater I want to still be wearing 20 years from now, so classic fit and style is fine.  
  • La Mode buttons - I bought 4 different buttons for this sweater.  My daughter helped me choose the heart ones.  They're from JoAnn's Fabric.  I'm not a fan of JoAnn's.  I had to pay an extra fee to have the buttons I need sent from another store.  I'm waiting for the rest of the buttons, but I'm wearing my sweater anyway. 
    This is the first button I tried - it's the same shape as the one in the pattern book, but isn't red:
    2 great iPhotos
    Then I found these wonderful buttons at a trunk show for Black Water Abbey yarns.  I decided the pewter buttons contrasted too much, and distracted from the intricate cables of the sweater.
    2 great iPhotos
    The plain red buttons were from Sandy's Fabric downtown.  They would have been fine.
    2 great iPhotos
    But, like Goldilocks, I thought these hearts were just right.
    2 great iPhotos
    They have the irregular shape that was part of the appeal to me of the original leaf buttons, and they're close in color to the sweater.

    IMG_0315
    Many thanks to Tracey, whose emergency skein of yarn, I'm a little embarrassed to say, I didn't need.  But knowing it was there made the last bit of knitting easier.  

    The neckline of the sweater has stretched a bit as I've worn it over the last couple of days, so I may wash & reblock the sweater and then add some ribbon around the neck to stabilize it.  Any other ideas?  IMG_0317
    This wonderful cable is only on the arm. This color is truer in these indoor pictures, I think.

    IMG_0319
    Crunchy, cabley goodness! 

    Comments

    1. congratulations! it's gorgeous and worth the wait.

      ReplyDelete
    2. Gorgeous!!!! That is the most cabley-delicious sweater I have seen in a long time!!

      ReplyDelete
    3. WOW - it's amazing! And I love seeing your process for choosing buttons - I think you made the perfect choice. Thanks for sharing, as always!

      ReplyDelete
    4. Luisa5:12 PM

      It's lovely - I finished mine one year ago and I've worn it non stop all this winter. Congratulations, that's a lot of work!

      ReplyDelete
    5. oh wow, it's stunning!! those luscious cables, that gorgeous red- it looks wonderful on you!!! congrats on your awesome ravelympics sweater!!!

      ReplyDelete
    6. This is the most perfect cardi! The color, the texture, the buttons. Just perfect. It is so lovely . . . and totally worth the wait!

      ReplyDelete
    7. Anonymous2:40 PM

      The sweater is gorgeous and in my favorite color - even better! Besides that,I love your glasses.

      Chloe

      ReplyDelete
    8. Amazing! Congratulations, you must be very proud of yourself!

      ReplyDelete
    9. That is gorgeous Pam, and to say something completely unoriginal- AMAZING!!
      I love the color and beautiful detail, and that you love it so much, after all these years. The heart buttons are perfect.

      ReplyDelete
    10. Anonymous12:57 AM

      Congratulations Pam! I met you when you were looking for that elusive last hank and have been checking back so that I could see it finished.

      Janiebelle

      ReplyDelete

    Post a Comment

    Popular Posts