What It Is

I have been busily knitting away on my Silky Wool.  What a great yarn!  I have neglected to keep you apprised.  Well, that is going to change.  But, first, the back story.

The Swatch: (click to open a larger version in a pop-up window)
A: I cast on with a size 7 needle.  It was too loose so at B I move to a size 6 (Addi Turbo lace!  LOVE them!!!).  I swatched this at Muse and was reminded of how much I appreciate a yarn store that will let you swatch so you go home with the right needle.

B: I threw in a 6 stitch cable just to see how it would look.

C: Three cables side by side; the middle one is staggered to cross mid way between the side cable crossings.

D: To give more definition to the cables, I add a single purl stitch between the cables.  It disappears, yet still makes each cable more distinct.

E: I cast-on and worked a moss stitch edge perpendicular to the cables, incorporating the cable stitches.  As you can see I got the ratio completely wrong.  A momentary brain lapse.  That is what swatches are for though, so I soldier on rather than reknit.

F: When I get the moss stitch flush with the cables, I picked up stitches along the cable edge. 

G: The cable separates a moss stitch section and a stockinette stitch section.

H: I add a purl stitch on both sides of the cable.  Again it disappears, but gives better definition to the cable.  I am also shifting the cable to the left by decreasing in the stockinette area and increasing in the moss area on the same row.

Before I move on, I want to share a few thoughts on using cables as edging.  The edge that will be a true edge has a one stitch garter selvedge.  It will curl under and not be visible on the finished garment.  If a selvedge isn't used, the cable crossings make it wonky along the free side.  A single knit stitch (as in stockinette) won't curl under and disappear quite as well.  However, the side that will have stitches picked up should be stockinette.  My ratio for picking up was 3 out of every 4 stitches.  If I had a garter ridge there it would have been much harder to see which stitch to pick up.

So what is this leading too?
A sweater of course.  The double curving lines represent the cable and the hatched section represents the moss stitch area.  The bottom band will be the three cable edge seen in the swatch.  A single cable will be used at the neckline instead of ribbing.  Shaping occurs from the hips to the waist and then again at the bust.  There will be long sleeves; they are chopped off here because I haven't designed them yet.

I am not forgetting my Maisle sweater (still in swatch limbo).  I just decided to take some sage advice and start a simple sweater.  Okay, this is not the simplest sweater out there, but I have a vision.  A vision inspired by the shaping, both in the number of stitches and the visual movement, of Janine's Sashiko sweater.  It is an amazing piece.  If you aren't familiar with Janine, do yourself a favor and pop into her blog.

This is most of the cable edge.  It took almost a full skein.

This is what I have so far.  The hip decreases are completed and the cables are just starting to shift outward (might not be visible yet).  Soon I will start the bust increases.

The sweater is constructed with as little piecing as I can get away with.  The sides and back will be worked together until the underarm.  Everything is knit on the same needle so an integral button band is possible.  The only seams will be to sew in the sleeves.  I think.  I have no idea how I will do the sleeves yet.  There is time to sort it out. 

Speaking of sorting things out, I need a name for this sweater.  A lovely, graceful name.  A name that doesn't refer to the color or the fiber.  I hesitate to call this a contest.  Let's just say that there will be presents for any help that leads to an arrest a name.

I am immensely grateful the my back has allowed me to knit.  I would be insane by now if I couldn't knit.  If you have emailed me or commented (and thank you for that), I am trying to get caught up.  It is a slow process.  I don't even look at my Bloglines any more.  I'm sure there are a million fascinating things happening and I am missing them all.  Nope, it is not the pity parade.  I am happy with my Silky Wool and old movies.  For now.  Today I rest, tomorrow I conquer.

Comments

[Jacquie]

What a gorgeous design! I didn't sleep well last night so I am lacking in any imagination whatsoever for thinking up names at present, but it certainly deserves a very special name and I am sure you will spot it just as soon as someone comes up with right one!

[Susan P]

Wonderful design! Will enjoy watching it unfold. Thanks also for the link to Janine's site. It's a new one for me.

As to a lovely graceful name?
How about Sylvan? (a mythical deity or spirit of the woods.)

Blessings!

[no-blog-rachel]

How about Sirlig Kabel? Means Graceful Cable in Swedish. Which I don't speak I just looked it up. Whatever name you choose, it's gorgeous! I love Silky Wool (and Silky Tweed too) - I've got quite the stash!

[Ronni]

I'll try to think about names when I'm feeling a bit smarter. I hope your back starts feeling better soon. Even if it's letting you knit it would still be nice if you could do other stuff too.

[Chrissie]

Beautiful design Mia. I love how the cables curve or weave around the collar. How about
Panatis, she's a Greek goddess of weaving? Hope your back improves soon.

[elizabeth]

Wow! I think that's the largest swatch I've ever seen! And yes, I just got some addi lace needles and went back yesterday for a size 1 32" circ for socks, they are so awesome. The sweater looks princess-y to me. How about Princapessa?

[Susanne]

What a wonderful design!! I wish I could be as creative as the other commenters but I would simply suggested "Cabled Treasures" as the cables weave in and out and around and really do surround the sweater with treasures. Wow, hope you put this pattern up!! Thanks for the inspiration!

[AuntieAnn]

Wow, that is amazing. I love me some cables. I am in awe of your cleverness, and I have no idea what name to suggest as my creativity is low today (and most days, frankly).

[Debi]

Boy Maia, when you swatch you don't play, do you? It's gorgeous (and fluffy-ish - YAY!!) How about Odette? Swan-like and graceful but with character and strength? (and you can pronounce it, heh)

[Debi]

Feel better btw! Rest your back!

PS - You could always call it the "Debi" sweater just so you can have a set ;)

[Robin]

OK. Now, I'm on the right post so I'll comment again! Beautiful pattern -love the texture. I like Grace for the name. How about Cabled Gracefully or Full of Grace. Hope you feel better soon and you're right -- thank goodness you can knit! Take care!

[Julie]

What a beautiful design!

[pippi]

Fab!

I'm so sorry to hear about your back.

XXOO!

[laurie in victoria]

I love this swatch! and your blog of course.
The name that came to me right away was 'Rapunzel" because the cables remind me of beautifully braided hair :)