Urban Aran
in journal
finished: september 24, 2006
pattern: urban aran from patons’ street smarts booklet
yarn: a little less than 15 balls of elann’s peruvian highland chunky
needles: size 9s; went down to size 7s for the collar
i started this project in late may, right as the hot l.a. summer started and finished all but the zipper in about three weeks. such a fast knit! i put off doing the zipper since it was toooo hot to even think about wearing a 100% wool product. but, late september, my fingers started itching and finally it’s done.
i modified the pattern, as others have (loriz – handmade, brooklyntweed, and cosmicpluto), so that it’d be a cardigan. it’s a lovely pattern but a little too confining bulk-wise for a sweater. the pattern is easily memorized and you get to really understand cable construction.
ok, now the zipper. first off, double zipper all the way. this was my first zipper installation and i was pretty nervous about it, but it all ended up just fine. chicnits’ zipper tutorial was very helpful, so definitely check it out! also, here i’ve included pics and some tips from that fun installation day (yes, it took me allll day, but hey, i learned! and next time, i’ll be flying fast.), figuring the more pics of zipper installations, the better place the internet will be. (ah, it’s been a long day.)
the yarn is a bit scratchy for next-to-the-skin wear, though it softened up a ton in a nice bath of euculan. and it sheds like no tomorrow! no pilling as of yet, but hey, considering the price (less than $40 incl. shipping!) i’m wouldn’t complain anyhow.
[wanna know more? see posted entries about my urban aran.]
