Baaad24in24: Anniversary Sweater MAL
I have a goal of FINISHING 24 projects in 2024; Join me? They can be big or small, new or old, and in any fibre craft; just get ‘er done.
Today’s topic: My Make-Along Sweater!
Baaad Anna’s Yarn Store celebrated its 15th Anniversary in August with a sweater event that included a sale, make-along, and knit nights. I wasn’t ready to cast-on another sweater project, but it didn’t seem right to not join in the make-along fun so I chose a worsted weight pattern hoping for something I could not only start, but also finish during our two month MAL (make-long) event.
The beauty of this event was that my staff put together a selection of great sweater samples in store knit with yarns we had sweater quantities for sale in a plethora of colours. It is amazing how helpful it is to be able to see finished objects like handknit sweaters and imagine what would work for me! I definitely took advantage of comparing and contrasting what customizations I would make as my sweater started to grow!
I chose to knit a sweater from an in-store sample that was knit by my store manager, Sarah. The Nothing But Joy sweater, from local designer Josee Paquin of UandIKnits, encompassed a number of my favourite things of Josee’s patterns: unique design, lightly complex but still enjoyable skills, and a delightfully beautiful wear. This worsted weight cabled beauty utilizes a purl stockinette with just enough of a complexity in the cable to keep things interesting without needed to stay glued to the pattern for too long… nothing but joy!
And we had the perfect yarn for it: our Malabrigo Rios top-up just arrived and it included this gorgeous colourway that flows beautiful between sky blue and periwinkle. Another true joy to work with!
It was not a perfect knit but I like to point out the backwards-cable-oopsie as a little bit of wabi-sabi: a mistake that shows how wonderfully hand-made-with-love this sweater truly is!
Also, I had to knit three sleeves, but that is a story for another day. For now I am happy to finally celebrate a FO (finished object) win with this my #16 project for my #baaad24in24. How is YOUR sweater knit-along going? Were you inspired by a store sample? Share your story with us!!
So, so pretty.
Thank you so very much Isabel! Always such kind words!!