I was discussing the carp sweater the other day with a family friend. He asked me how much something like it would cost to buy–meaning a hand-knit sweater like it. I told him my estimate of how much time the sweater has taken me (160 squares with each square averaging 1 hour to complete = 160 hours at least.) So he took that and factored in $50 an hour for my time (it would have to be worth my while after all if I was knitting for pay) which resulted in him declaring that if I sold the carp I would have to charge $8,000. Um, yeah. So if anyone is interested in seeing what an eight thousand dollar sweater looks like…
Okay, I love it. Not, “I love it except for this wonky bit in the back” or “I really like it but in an ideal world it would be a few inches longer” or “It would be better if I had paid better attention to my row gauge.” No buts. I just love it.
For those familiar with the saga of this sweater you may remember my being nervous because I had no idea how it would fit. Because of its crazy construction (knit in metered squares forming long diagonal strips of fabric that eventually sync up and form a sweater) I had no indication of how it would turn out. I often have to change a pattern to fit my body and with this pattern I couldn’t alter anything without majorly confusing the pattern so I was forced to knit it as written and trust it would work out. It did.
I was lucky that the yarn I choose matched the gauge close enough that I didn’t have to worry too much. If you are doing a yarn sub that gives you a very different gauge I would recommend doing all the math to make sure you are making the right size. This sweater invests way too much of your time to NOT do your homework.
The top uses two colors of yarn. I tried to pick two shades of green that are close enough to each other in shade so when you look at the sweater from a far it gives the illusion of being one interesting color and you can only really see it is made up of two different colors when you get close. I think I did a pretty good job of pulling that off. One of the yarns is a little more shiny and the other more matte but both are kind of sage-y green. I am pleased with how they work together.
One of my favorite parts on this top are the sleeves. If you look closely you can see how the two sleeve halves mirror the mitered squares by alternating which yarn has the purl ridge.
Stats
Pattern: the carp
Source: Japanese Inspired Knits
Yarn: Karabella Vintage Cotton & Reynolds Sunday Best
Needles: US 2 & 1 1/2
Size: 39
So I love it, and I have little interest in giving it up…but I should say, if anyone loves the sweater $8,000 worth, give me a shout. I bet we can work something out. 
Erin, it’s incredible! Mind-bogglingly wonderful. Wahoo! I am so amazed you finished it–not because you aren’t an incredible knitter, which you are, but because it is such a labor-intensive sweater. Kudos to you. It’s awesome. Congrats! I love how perfect the fit turned out as well. Minor miracle in my sweater-knitting world. I’m very happy for you. Your yarn choices are awesome and those colors look great together.
gorgeous knit. gorgeous sister. gorgeous photography.
a gorgeous post, indeed.
A stellar acheivement, Erin! WOW! It is stunning–especially on you! What a master you are at creating beautiful things.
Ooooh. Love the sweater. This is exceptional and the girl in it looks pretty “hot” too.
I’m mind-boggled. So impressed! I’m just amazed. Well done!
It’s wicked awesome! (As we say where I’m from.)
WOW! What a beautiful sweater.
Freaking amazing! Really, Erin. I love it, and I agree; it’s worth at least $8,000! Congrats on a garment you love without condition.
Think of all the emotional memories, the thoughts and dreams you put into that sweater on top of the time, process and money. It’s a sweater made only for you, by you, with your hands…only you can wear it and love it. You look marvelous in it! It’s a great looking, unique sweater! Wear it proudly and happily.
It is stunning! Like you, I nearly always have to alter patterns to fit, so I’d be very wary of making something with such an unusual construction technique. Well done you for taking the plunge – the risk most definitely paid off!
Wow, it’s so, so gorgeous!! the colour you chose are amazing, different but not so different that it looks ‘busy’, and it looks amazing and intricate. Awesome job!!
Oh. My. GOSH!!! I love it! Who’d have thought that a sweater you couldn’t alter at all would fit so well?! You didn’t even have to make it longer. You two were MFEO! It looks great on you and you can even wear it in the winter with a long sleeved something underneath! Maybe I’ll make one (long, hysterical laugh…).
I am so glad this sweater is done, because I am sick of seeing you knit it!
It did turn out incredibly stunning!
That’s beautiful! I love that the two yarns have different levels of shininess, I think it makes the texture even more interesting.
That looks GREAT! I love the subtlety of the two colors. Well done.
WOW, I think it looks like $1 million!
It looks gorgeous-a great choice of colors and it fits you beautifully. Well done!
Great job! I love the color choice, and it fits you so well!
Whoah! That’s an absolutely beautiful sweater.. your colour choices work perfectly and it’s so flattering. It’d be an absolute STEAL at $8,000, I say! But er, wow….160 squares. You deserve a Nobel Prize. And a G&T.
absolutely beautiful Erin! I always think of everything hand made or custom designed and then hand made on par with haute couture. So, definitely worth 8,000$
And I love that you love it with no exceptions, I can totally appreciate that feeling.
Oh, and I think the color choice was genius.
It’s gorgeous! The fit looks great, which must be a huge relief. I’m relieved on your behalf, in fact.
I absolutely love your friend for assuming $50 an hour for your time. I had a boss that decided that my knitting time was worth $7.50, and I still am a little miffed at her for it.
i’m speechless.
seriously.
i know i don’t at all appreciate how intricate it is, but WOWZERS.
worth. every. penny.
That is beautiful and such a cleverly constructed knit.
It is perfect. I love your colors, the fit, the style, everything. It is one of those extremely rare instances where very interesting knitting–dare I say, art knitting–makes a beautiful worn garment! Man, I wish I had $8,000.
Amazing! It fits you perfectly and I love the two colors you chose for it. They do work so well together to get the effect you wanted. I’m sure the celebrities are going to be calling you any time now for their very own carp!
Wow. Just wow. I mean, $8,000, yeah, but you’d also have to make sure the stars were aligned properly to make everything turn out so fabulously!
I can’t believe we ever doubted your dedication to knitting. Seriously… that sweater is amazing. Nice job miss… way to go. BEAUTIFUL.
lovely sweater! it looks fabulous on you! I don’t even want to think how much my knitting would cost over the years… imagine!
Beautiful! I’ve always thought that I should count the time I spend on a project. Just out of curiosity. 160 hours, wow! Love the colors too!
It is fabulous. Enjoy every minute of your $8,000 sweater! I try not to think about the actual cost of my knits – frightening.
O.M.G. This is stunning! GAH!
So I found your blog over at Freckle Head and since I’m starting to knit a scarf (starting small of course) I am in awe of your talent, and how you incorporated not one but two colors. It was beautiful. I love it. $8,000 worth love it, and if I had that kind of money I would have gladly sent it over.
I guess at the end of the day it isn’t always about the money
I have the book with the Carp pattern in, and have wondered if I have the patience to try it. From your description, I don’t! It must take a lot of faith in Marianne Isager, too, to knit a whole sweater when you can’t see if it’s going to fit or not. But yours looks great – a terrific achievement.
INCREDIBLE! Love real sweaters for real people! Beautiful job!
[...] This knit took me so long to do, I can’t say it was my most favorite to knit but once completed I was so pleased with the result and really felt like I accomplished something challenging that was actually wearable. [...]