Yes, Blithe really is finished…
I tried to think of a really clever way to write this post but was at a loss. I asked Kara for inspiration and she told me to “let the sweater speak for itself.” Who am I to argue with that?
Hello my pretty knit.
The ribbed sleeve is one of my favorite design features.
The back of the sweater. Obviously.
I realized today how rare it is that I actually knit a weather appropriate garment in time to enjoy it for the whole season. And here it is, warm weather around the corner and I have the perfect cap sleeved cotton shirt ready to wear. Yea me!
The stats:
Pattern: Blithe
Source: Kim Hargreaves, Shades of Pale Collection
Yarn: Rowan Cotton 4-ply, Steel Blue
Needles: US 1 & 2 straights
Mods: I extended the length of the body by adding about 2 inches to the straight rows after decreasing for the waist.
Notes: As far as the fit of the sweater goes, hands down this is the best fitting sweater I have knit. Kim’s design is really well written and easy to follow. I will not hesitate to buy a kit from her again. The yarn is both nice to knit with and makes a great fabric. And the design of the sweater is both modern and classic. Anyone who is contemplating this knit, I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Did I mention yet that I love it? Quite a lot actually. A little secret about me is that I am rarely pleased with a knit when I am finished with it. I am a perfectionist and very hard on myself which means I am never quite satisfied with the end product. This shirt, however, was a different story as soon as I put it on. I am simply happy with it. That in an of itself is really something.
The following 59 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
Lovely! All the little details are so pretty, and the color is great on you.
She really does speak for herself! Blithe is gorgeous! Ummm…Blithe is a she, right? :0)
I was looking at the knit and thinking, ‘wow, what ply yarn is that?’- 4 ply, yep. i’d still be knitting that for next year and a half. So yay for you!!!
I really like the buttons too.
It is beautiful!!
I give it a 10 and two thumbs up! The color is gorgeous, the fit is perfect and overall you look fabulous in it.
Congratualtions!
Blithe is absolutely gorgeous! I think i need/want/must have a blithe too….maybe i can knit her early spring in preparation for next summer!
DIVINE!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done Erin!
Your ‘Blithe’ is a knockout! I can’t believe that you did that one size 1s and 2s, you have a lot of patience. I agree that the ribbing on the sleeves is key to its success. I especially like it with the brown tee, btw…
I love, love, LOVE it! It’s amazing and I’m so glad that it feels that way to you too — I have that same thing where I’m rarely pleased with a finished knit. Maybe I need to give Blithe a try!
Blithe really is a beautiful sweater and a perfect fit for you all the way around. Nice work, good job;-)
PERFECT! Congratulations – wear it well!
Wow–you both look fantastic!!!
erin no words can express how fabulous that knit is!! i love kim h!! excellent job and what a wonderful fit! oh boy do i have to get back into the knits
what a pretty knit! it’s so classic and wearable, and the fit is fantastic.
Beautiful! Just beautiful. It fits well, the color is gorgeous, and it has that timeless quality common to so many of her knits.
How did you obtain more yarn to lengthen the sweater, though? Her designs are just sold in kits, yes?
You look great in Blithe! Those cap sleeves are very cute.
it looks great! I love it! congrats on a great looking, great fitting sweater!
[I also love the brown under -- looks great with that steely blue!]
What a great fit! I loooooove it, it looks very pretty
Looks great! Can’t wait to see what you make next!
You with the gorgeous sweaters! Love this one! And it looks so great with the brown. I have no idea how you keep churning them out…
Erin, you are so gorgeous!!! Oh yeah, and Blithe is pretty too. I need to come to SLC so you can teach me how to knit.
It’s totally gorgeous. You look great in it! I have much knitterly envy, as per usual.
Blithe turned out lovely! Great job!
It looks absolutely fabulous on you, girl. Fit, color, the way you matched it with the brown. LOVE it. Brava!
Really fantastic! You are inspiring me to get on my summer knits!
Fabulous. I’m glad you picked that color, it looks great!
looks great! i’d love to knit it as more of a tunic and add a few inches to the torso.
It’s fantastic and it looks great on you, and you have a whole season to wear it!
Really beautiful work! It looks so wearable too!
She’s gorgeous. I am in love with this sweater! The textures are great.
It is completely stunning. Now I am 100% convinced that I need this.
Good work. It’s perfect.
you have done a really amazing job! the color, the fit, it’s all perfect! not to mention, i think your model shots have improved now that you are wearing a knit that you truly love. blithe is just perfect!
Gorgeous! It looks perfect on you. Congrats on a fabulous FO!
Blithe is saying “Look at me! Look at me! I’m so pretty!” Another beautiful fit!
any one who sees this and doesn’t automatically want to knit it is crazy ~except for me because I saw how tiny all of those hundreds of rows are.
Love, love, just love it. It fits you so well…
Looks lovely on you! I love the colour you chose. I would love to make this… soon I hope!
Love it! Wear it to work so we can all tell you in person. It really suits you.
Oh Erin – that is absolutely drop dead gorgeous!
Congrats on a perfectly executed sweater – you look mahhvelous!
Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. It really really suits you
You should be happy, it is gorgeous!
Hi, I’m delurking to say how much I am in love with that sweater!! just beautiful!
Blithe is so gorgeous! I definitely want to get this kit, wow! And it looks fabulous on you and fits you perfectly!
super, super cute!
Unbelievably beautiful!!!! I totally relate to the whole perfectionist thing and not always being totally happy with the finished product, but Blithe is REALLY beautiful. And perfect on you too! Nice
Oh, WOW! Blithe turned out so pretty! And such a perfect fit on you! Congrats on one beautiful spring sweater, babe!
Once again… you make me want to knit. Blithe is AMAZING and you look so fantabulous in it! Love, love, love it.. nice job Queenie.
Such pretty details — it looks fabulous!
*waves hello from (kinda) down the road from you*
Erin, I just wanted to let you know that your blog is great and I always look forward to what you’ve written and knitted! Blithe is really fantastic, I wish I could knit something that beautiful!
It looks fabulous! I love it pair with that brown
I can’t believe I’m commenting twice on the same post… but as good as Blithe looked on your blog, it looked even better in person. Best of luck to you!
Wonderful. I have always loved this pattern, but was scared by the itty bitty needles. You are brave and it turned out beautifully!
I love it! Looks great on you!
You’ve pushed me over the edge… I’ve ordered mine today. Thank you for sharing yours!
That sweater looks fantastic on you. I’ve always loved Kim Hargreaves’ designs. They’re all so flattering.
That looks great!
Blithe looks fantastic on you! The color, the fit, wow! Great job
Wow! I’ve always been a fan of this designer but this sweater is spectacular! I went to the link of the book. Did anyone else notice that the model in the picture (second row, middle shot) is playing the circle game? Look at her hands…
Wow… that is a gorgeous sweater in an amazing color. You’ve really outdone yourself. I hope that every time you wear it, you glow with a knitter’s pride.
I gotta say; when I saw Blithe on that scrawny stick of a model, I was all eh, and I couldn’t figure out why you were spending all this time knitting it.
But it looks fantastic on you. The color is great, the knitting is wonderful. Nicely done.
Blithe came out great! I know what you mean about perfectionism. When I finish something I look at all the things I wish I did better, rather than just enjoy it. But your top really does look perfect on you!