It’s been a minute since I shared a knitting project! I actually *have* been knitting – I always have at least 1 project on my needles at any given time (usually two – one for the couch, and a smaller/simpler one for the road!), and I always keep my Ravelry account updated! But for whatever reason, I never feel super compelled to share them on my blog. Anyway, here’s one today!
This is the Tongue Tied sweater by Poison Grrls. I actually chose the yarn before the sweater pattern – a very uncharacteristic knitting move for me (usually I have my pattern selected before I start shopping for yarn). To be completely honest – I wasn’t in the mindset for planning a new sweater when all this happened, as I was still steadily working my way through my last sweater (see! There’s one I knit and never shared here lmao). But this yarn caught my eye at Pintuck & Purl and once I got my hands on it, it was all I could think about.
The yarn is CashLuxe Spark by Sweet Georgia Yarns, a gloriously soft and cushiony fingering-weight yarn with this incredibly rich color and the cutest subtle sparkle! I’m not a super duper yarn snob (I love natural fibers, blah blah, but I don’t typically buy *really* expensive yarn. Although. That may now change haha) but I really, really, really wanted this yarn on my body. I initially considered socks – I mean, who doesn’t want to wrap their toes in cashmere? – but at $38/skein, that was a little rich even for my blood. So obviously it made sense to buy two skeins and turn it into a sweater, because that’s totally fiscally responsible.
I started this sweater right after I finished my last one, toward the end of December last year. It knitted up really fast – partially because, well, it’s a tiny fucking sweater, but also I just really enjoyed every part of the process. I LOVED touching that yarn, so so much. I actually would have finished this quite a bit sooner, except once I got to the point of picking up the sleeves I let it sit dormant for a couple of weeks while I worked on other stuff.
Not a lot to say about this pattern, but here are some notes:
– I knit the size Small, based on my bust measurement. My gauge called for size 2 needles (body) and 1 needles (ribbing).
– This is a really fitted sweater! I mean, I knew that going in – but trying it on, yeah, it’s basically painted on. Aggressively blocking the entire thing really well helped a lot, and now it skims my body perfectly.
– Because it was so tight, I did have some issues with getting a stretchy enough bind off (I actually had to re-do my bind off at the bottom AND the neckline twice!). I ended up using size 3 needles and a super stretchy bind off. With the neckline, that was mainly my fault for being an idiot. I thought I’d be super clever and do a fold-over neckband, but quickly discovered (while unsuccessfully trying to pull it over my head) that those don’t stretch at all. LMAO.
– Mod-wise, I added 1″ of length to the body, since I wanted to be able to wear this with high-waisted jeans (it’s pretty short!).
– If you think you see a yarn tail in the back, you’re right. I haven’t woven it in yet. I don’t know why.
I loved knitting this pattern! It was easy to follow, simple to knit (but not boring), and the proportions are just lovely. I’ve already got a few more Poison Grrls patterns in my radar for my next sweater. I love Amy’s aesthetic and I love that she uses fingering weight yarn – perfect for our mild winters!
Oh, I also made my pants, too! These are more Dawn Jeans, made in Robert Kaufman non-stretch corduroy from Pintuck & Purl! (I picked it out the same time I was fantasizing about that yarn haha). Not much to say about these that I haven’t already said – I made my normal size, this time with the wide legs and the cropped length. The cropped length isn’t actually that cropped – I ended up having to take off another 3″ or so (but I also have a 28″ inseam sooo take that as you will). I’m also not super thrilled about how the back fits, but I believe that’s just what you get with wide leg pants. The wrinkles are there because there is too much fabric at the inner thigh (the issue I had with my Calvin Klein jeans), but for true wide-leg pants you really don’t want to remove width there. Whatever, I’m not the one looking at my own butt so I don’t care.
So anyway, that’s my new sweater! Fun to knit, fun to wear, and the sparkles make me happy 🙂 Oh! And I still have some of this yarn leftover – so you better believe I’ll be making a tiny pair of socks 🙂 If anyone has suggestions for short-cuff sock patterns – preferably one with bobbles (I don’t know why but I’m feeling like I want bobbles on these), let me know!
LLADYBIRD 
You are quite the “pin-up” girl. That sweater is the “bomb”!
Thank you! 🙂
Information + giggleworthiness. *Appreciate.*
(Shall I point out that you were splendidly un-tongue-tied while writing about the Tongue-Tied sweater…)
Ha! I didn’t even notice that but you are absolutely right 🙂
Really beautiful work, Lauren. I admire your needlework skills -the front yolk is gorgeous! Thanks for the tip on the Kaufman fabric, too. It’s a lovely color
Thank you!
Hi Lauren,
I love this outfit! The rich tones look great and I love the cut of the pants.
I wonder if the wrinkles at inner thigh are from the back crotch hitting too high? The wrinkles here remind me of the illustration for low butt adjustment.
https://5outof4.com/pants-fitting-guide/
I hope you find something that helps you–both of these garments look great!
I don’t think it’s an issue with the back crotch; my other pairs of Dawns fit the same way in the crotch and do not have these wrinkles. Additionally, the Calvin Klein jeans I made had the same fit issue which went away when I removed the inner crotch width. At any rate, I’m not worried about it – they fit well enough, and aren’t uncomfortable!
This sweater and the entire outfit look amazing! I haven’t tried this pattern yet and they don’t have bobbles, but I think the Lyne Socks by Dawn Henderson look so pretty with their scalloped edge: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lyne-socks
Those are really cute! Thanks for the recc! 🙂
Lovely sweater and jeans! If your yarn has a lot of cashmere it may be too soft for socks, as in wear out very fast, which would be sad after all of the work. If not weigh the yarn and do toe-up socks . Using the weight so you know when to stop knitting the first sock. Wristers or fingerless gloves are a good project for a small amount of soft yarn as well. I am not familiar with the yarn but it’s a good thing when you want to keep knitting with it.
Oh yeah I’m sure they will wear out quickly since they don’t have any nylon, but I’d rather have socks I wear for a little while and enjoy, than let the yarn go to waste 🙂 I don’t wear fingerless gloves so those would not get used if I knit them up!
This looks great!
Thank you!
Lovely outfit, the colours and styles look fab together! I think you do need a lovely yarn if you are knitting an entire jumper out of fingering weight yarn! Too much of a commitment for an average yarn!
Maybe these are the sort of thing you are looking for?
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/artichoke-ankle-sock
Yesssss!! That pattern is great, thank you!
That is a perfectly gorgeous outfit. Tha rich colors, the yoke and cashmere of the sweater. You are so talented. I was never any good at knitting even with the best teacher (mom). I sooo want that outfit, 34″ inseam please. Just beautiful.
Love this top! I’ve only seen it styled in a really 50s bombshell way before, and now I’ve seen your more “everyday” look I’m thinking it could have a place in my wardrobe too. Not that you don’t look fabulous and sexy, but you don’t look like you had to spend an hour on hair and makeup before the shoot. Ain’t got time for that shit!
Hey Lauren! Are you Ok? Massive damage in Nashville, so checking on you! Prayers for all who are injured or displaced. Hoping for the best for you, Dear! Angie Tims
Yep, me + my home are fine! Neighborhood was totally untouched 🙂
Phewf! I just saw the news and was popping over to check on you 🙂
Looking forward to seeing you at a Jeans Workshop this year!!
❤ !
Oh! I always have wrinkles at the upper thigh in the back. I have long suspected that RTW pants made for my size, 10-12, anticipate that you have both large hips (true) but also large legs (not always true, as in my instance). 12s are much worse than 10s in this regard, IME. Usually pants that fit my hips/rise look weirdly baggy around my legs. I’m not quite ready to make my own, but at least I feel vindicated in my assessment.
As I said on insta, I *love* this outfit! I gotta get a Poison Grrls pattern on my needles.
TONGUE-TIED BUT SPEAKS LOTS OF GOOD VIBES!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
VERY PRETTY—WELL-DONE! 😀