So it all started with this.
I was directed to The Twist Collective, a new online source for patterns (part online magazine, part pattern store), this morning. Ever since I looked through the projects I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Little Birds. I love it. Knew immediately I had to make it.
There was only one problem. I am pretty sure it would not be the most flattering style on me. You know, the deep, only attaches at the waist, cardigan look. It is adorable–but in my opinion it is more adorable on smaller busted women. I have another cardi with the same cut and I stopped wearing it because it made me uncomfortable and didn’t fall nicely.
But I still love the birds. So what am I going to do? Turn it into a pullover. I did a little drawing of what I am thinking and I am encouraged that it will still be really sweet and vintage-y. The last thing I want to do is ruin the charm and personality of the original design.
Then, on a whim, I decided to take my obsession with this sweater to a new level. Heard of ravelympics? (ravelry link) For my non-knitting readers, this is where a bunch of crazy but awesome knitters (5000 and counting) decide to knit a challenging for them project during the Olympics. You can’t cast on before the opening ceremonies and you have to finish before the flame dies. There are teams and events. It appeals to all levels of my obsessive and competitive personality and also to my geeky knitterlyness. The thing is, I wasn’t going to sign up for it because lately I have been feeling kind of meh about everything I am knitting. But then today…Little Birds!
So it is official, I am knitting Little Birds for the ravelolympics. I don’t know if I can get it done–two weeks is crazy fast considering the pace at which I have been knitting lately. But I will do my best.
The sweater is knit with Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift and thanks to a frogged Autumn Rose Pullover, I have plenty of yarn to swatch with. I will need to buy some more of the main color but I have a week to figure out what that will be and to make sure the yarn store has it. Swatching (or training) will commence this weekend. I will keep you updated.
Anyone else feeling the Little Bird love or ravelympics spirit?
I know I’m not a knitter nor do I understand the epic lengths of knitting a sweater in two weeks, but you totally have to do it!
The moment I saw Little Birds, I thought, “That is so Erin.”
Have fun!
I liked that design too – and was thinking the same thing. I would like the fit better with a higher V, for me. Can’t wait to see what you do!
I’ve got too much going on in my knitting life right now to tackle it at the moment, but I love your idea of turning Little Birds into a pullover. When I saw it this morning I fell in love with the birds, but was not terribly enamored of the deep-V cardigan shape (which is not flattering on me, either). I can’t wait to see how yours turns out!
The Little Birds are adorable. I can’t wait to see how they turn out!
Good luck for Ravelympics. I am sure you’ll make it in 2 weeks. Go, Erin, go!
Oh I want my body back!
I love that sweater and like you a pullover would look more flattering on me. I’m kind of obsessed with birds right now too.
This will definitely have to go in my to knit stack for post baby… provided I actually get time to knit post baby.
you frogged an autumn rose? I know, I know, your post has all kinds of interesting news about ravelympics and modifying that charming Little Birds to make it even more charming, but all that really struck me in the post was: you frogged an autumn rose? That must have been painful, even though I know you already did a beautiful Venezia last year. So your little birds could be phoenix-like, rising from the ashes of autumn rose, right? Can’t wait to see this sweater!
I have to say the you frogged the autumn rose bit caught me a bit short too! I have been trying to summon up the bravery to try knitting it. Good luck on Ravelympics..
Fun! I can’t wait to see your progress. I’ve contemplated joining the ravelympics, but I’m afraid it would do very bad things to my hands at this point. So I’ll be watching from afar. You’ve chosen a great project! Good luck!
I’m just as obsessed with the little birds too! Unfortunately, I am on a budget-imposed stash diet and can’t knit it up yet. I’ll be rooting for you though! 🙂
Frogged Autumn Rose? Gaaaaaaah!!!!!
You KNOW I’m loving the Little Birds pattern. And I joined Ravelympics last weekend, with a pattern for Fair Isle gloves called Albuquerque Gloves, for a September fundraiser. I’m geekily looking forward to it!
Why did Autumn Rose bite the dust?
Little Birds also caught my eye! I am thinking about doing Dr. G’s Memory Vest as my project, but I really hope I don’t go down in flames!!
Very cute, can’t wait to see the design. I was going to do the clapotis for the ravelympics but then I forgot to wait! It’s started. Thanks for your help.
Little birds is gorgeous but I can never commit to olympic knitting!
I can’t wait to see how your modifications turn out! I’m with you – I don’t look so cute in that cut of sweater, but I also love the birds… Best of luck!!
i’m not feeling ravelympics (i don’t do well with deadline knitting), but little bird? LOVE IT!!!! good luck. i look forward to seeing your progress.
i love it, too! you know i hadn’t looked over to the tc until i saw your post! it’s a great sweater, good luck on the ravelympics 🙂
get the gold!
😉
oh, i am in love with “little birds” too!
That’s a really cute design – I look forward to seeing your version!
oh I love little birds!
I also love the colours you swatched with, (saw your rav page)
Good luck in the ravolympics.
Twist is cool! Can’t wait to see your mods with Little Birds!
oh, that’s a great sweater, can’t wait to see it finished as a pullover.
found your blog wandering around ravelry–very nice! good luck with the little birds. i’m sitting out the olympics in favor of the summer of gloves, but will be watching them with interest.
I think turning it into a sweater is a great idea.
Go Erin! Go Erin! I totally love Little Birds as well, it’s very cute and really reminded me of the Anthropologie stuff I loved so much in New York. I’ve become completely obsessed with clothing with birds on ever since my Anthropologie visit! I totally can’t wait to see how this turns out. I’m not sure the shaping of the original would do much for me either, so I’m really excited to see yours. Hope you enjoy knitting it 🙂
two weeks is crazy fast, my knitting projects are usually measured in terms of years, not weeks.
I had the exact same thoughts about Little Birds for myself. Love it, but with these boobs/lack of waist? Never. Looking forward to seeing yours!
I can’t wait to see your version – I too love that sweater but won’t be able to wear it because of the neckline. Good luck with the ravelympics!
can’t wait to see how you’ve changed up the little bird sweater. I love the motif, but the shape of the sweater isn’t something that I could pull off.
Go win the gold girl! Knit like the wind!