Posted on 44 Comments

My Tweedy Tea Leaves

Well, I may have been able to pace myself, sweater-knitting-wise, for most of the project, but once that first sleeve was completed and the end was in sight, I was on a mission to finish. Thank goodness for three day weekends, and the ability to spend hours upon hours with the pointy sticks.

I finished knitting the sweater at 11pm Sunday, lightly blocked it overnight, made some matching buttons on Monday morning, and was happily wearing the darn thing by Monday afternoon.

It’s the second Tea Leaves I have made (more on the first one here), but there are some key differences between the two:

  • I knit a smaller size on the new one, since I wanted something a little less roomy than the first.
  • I switched out the garter stitch cuffs and bottom border for a 2×2 rib, so that I could push the sleeves up on my arm if I needed them out of the way while I work.
  • I did a row of single-crochet along the neckline to keep it from being too stretchy.
  • I added buttons all the way down the front, so that I could wear the sweater closed.

The buttons are actually another story. I made them with polymer clay, specifically to match this sweater. I photographed the process, so I can show you exactly how I made them. Look for that later this week.

I really am so happy with the way this sweater fits me. I couldn’t be more delighted that the modifications I made were actually successful. I’m no knitwear expert, but I spent enough time wandering around Ravelry and reading other knitters’ notes on this pattern that I felt fairly confident making changes. I love them. I may sleep in this sweater.

I couldn’t have finished it up on a better day, either. It was 55-ish degrees and cloudy – a quintessentially autumnal afternoon.

Wearing this sweater makes me want to get started on another sweater right away. I am going to try to resist until after Christmas. Maybe.

Details

PatternTea Leaves Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre

YarnCascade 220 Tweed in Highland Green (711)

Needles: #8, #7 and #6 circulars, #7 dpns

Modifications: Replaced garter stitch cuffs with 2×2 ribbing, single-crocheted along neck edge to reduce stretching, added buttons down entire front. See my Ravelry notes for specifics.

Buttons: Handmade by me. Tutorial to follow 🙂

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Posted on 44 Comments

44 thoughts on “My Tweedy Tea Leaves

  1. That’s a fabulous sweater – my sweater loving teen ooh’d. I don’t think she realized people really did knit, by hand, cool sweaters lol.

    You can tell its not my medium.

    1. Ooh, the approval of a teenager? I will take it for the elusive commodity it is 🙂

  2. Your sweater turned out beautiful! How wonderful that you were able to dedicate 3 whole days to this wonderful craft. The buttons you make are absolutely perfect for it too:)

    1. Thanks! I impressed myself with those buttons, too. I haven’t had much luck straying from my usual type of button-making before now.

  3. Your cardi turned out great! It looks amazing on you and I still love the new hair 😛

    1. Thanks! And me too. I’m going to try to keep it this length for a while, and not get lazy about regular maintenance.

  4. What a great job, Lisa! It looks fabulous on you!

    1. Thanks! I’ve been wearing it for two days straight 🙂

  5. Great shots of the new hair! I like the sweater – the color is amazing and I think your button modification is perfect.

    I know what you mean about wanting to start another project right now. I keep having to remind myself to pace my crocheting. Everyone seems to want something made for them recently and I want to make all the projects at the same time!

    1. I don’t have anybody banging down my door for knitted or crocheted items, but I still have a few things that I want to make as gifts. My biggest problem, though, is the lure of the selfish knitting (or crochet). I know nobody will appreciate my handiwork as much as I will, and so I just want to continually treat myself, LOL!

      1. It must be baby season in south jersey because that’s what I’m working through. Baby hats and blankets for friends who are expecting and family who want matching hats for Christmas photos.

        It is fun though!

  6. It turned out really wonderful. Great job!

    1. Thanks, Kat! I think it may be time to get back to the granny square sampler. I still have two types of squares to finish before I can start connecting them.

  7. Wow, that’s really pretty. And I love that you knit *2* green sweaters … that’s something I would have done too. It’s such a great match for your coloring.

    1. Thanks! And yeah, I am a little hung up on green 🙂 I am thinking of venturing into mustard for my next project…

  8. Lovely!

    1. Thanks, Beki!

  9. I LOVE it and it looks fantastic on… Are you going to be going to Rhinebeck this year? If so you should so wear that sweater:)

    1. This is the first year that I am not going to be out of town during Rhinebeck! I am seriously thinking of going. I went to Sheep + Wool in Maryland a few years ago, but it seems like May is the wrong time of year for that kind of thing. Sheep + Wool in upstate NY during the fall? Muuuuuch better 🙂 I just have to figure out if I want to make it a day trip and drive both ways by myself, or make it an overnight trip and drag my family along. Decisions. decisions! Oh, and if I do go, *definitely* wearing this sweater!

  10. Lisa, I really love your sweater. And matching buttons? Wow.

    1. Thanks, Lynda! I wouldn’t be me, if I didn’t try to match my buttons with my clothes, LOL!

  11. LISA!! You look amazing in that sweater. I LOVE it. The modifications look great too. It has been sweater season here in Alaska for a while now. I just love that time of year 🙂

    1. Thank you so much 🙂
      Sweater season must be practically year-round in Alaska! (I probably have some misconceptions about Alaskan weather, though)

  12. I think this is a good example of your skill with photography improving. I can see the strands of yarn so much better in the picture of the new sweater rather than the old one. GOOD JOB MOM!

    1. Aw, BOG, you are so sweet. Let’s go out and have a picture-taking adventure together again soon 🙂

      1. Two things. (1) I mainly just take pictures of nature. (2) Remember the “Things Not to Say to or About Your Kid on the Internet” book I gave you? You violated rule #3.

        It says here: RULE #3 Do NOT call him sweet, kind, nice, etc. Anything that is a complement.

      2. I’ll go with you. Where do you want to go.

        D0 Y0U L1K3 MY GR4MM4R? 1T’5 600D R1GHT?

  13. sooooo crafty…turned out awesome!!

    1. Thanks, Janie 🙂

  14. Lisa, you look so great in this sweater and with your new ‘do! I can’t wait to read about the buttons. They look so great! This is an awesome job! Well done!

    1. Thanks, Sally! I do think this sweater looks good with short hair 🙂

  15. […] have to start this post by saying how cool you all are. Finishing a sweater project and getting to wear it on crisp, Fall days is exciting enough, but then to also get to read your […]

  16. I think I’m seeing a pattern here. It looks like every comment you wrote has a smiley face. 🙂

    1. Could be worse… they could all be frowny, tongue sticky-outy faces >:-p

  17. I like this one :.( and this one >:(

    JUST KIDDING

  18. LOVE the sweater (gorgeous green), the buttons and the hair! I wish I had just a bit of your talent!

    Hope Neil is doing well.

    1. Phyllis! It’s been forever! So glad you dropped by… thank you so much for the complements and the well-wishes. Things almost feel back to normal around here, Neil-wise. Your family is well, I hope?

  19. The sweater looks great. I know what you mean (in your reply to another comment) what you mean about being a bit selfish with your knitting etc. but I figure if I don’t make myself nice handmades exactly the way I want them, who will?!?!

    I LOVE the buttons!

    1. Exactly 🙂 It’s so great to be able to customize clothes to fit yourself perfectly. I wouldn’t be as successful doing it for another person anyway!

  20. […] along here in the past week, you’ll know that I made these woven tweedy buttons to match my tweedy sweater. Want to make some of your own? Read […]

  21. […] September, I did just that, in a lovely kelly green tweed, making all of those changes along the way. If it’s possible, […]

  22. […] green sweaters I already have, but hey – this one is Granny Smith green. The others are teal, kelly, and pine. One can never have too many different shades of green in their wardrobe, I say. Am I […]

  23. Wow both sweaters look really good!

  24. […] thing that amps up the fun for me is to dress us up in clothes we actually own. See my new green sweater there? Neil is wearing corduroys, and the boys have on the vests I made […]

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