A bit of knitting today, I finally finished my Owl sweater!
I cast this on just after Christmas and finally finished it a fortnight ago so it’s taken me around six weeks. I could have finished it lot earlier as the chunky yarn knits up really quickly. However, I only get chance to knit in the evenings when it’s frequently too late and I’m too tired to do anything. The pattern is Owls by Kate Davies and it’s probably one of the most popular patterns on Ravelry.
I used Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds Chunky Undyed yarn in Mid Brown Jacob which is available from Laughing Hens. (It’s actually more brown in real life but i’ve struggled to get a true picture) I love the idea that the yarn is undyed and the colour of the sheep from which it came, here’s a Brown Jacob in all it’s glory:
There were a couple of reasons for my yarn choice, the main one being it was the one suggested for the pattern and the right yarn for the gauge, the thought of adapting the pattern for a different weight yarn fills me with dread (and I know I’d bugger it up and end up with a sweater that would fit a seven year old!). I had been contemplating some shade of purple but in the end thought an owly colour would be more appropriate. The yarn is quite raw and slightly itchy, every now and then I’d come across a bit of hay. It has softened up quite a bit since washing but it still warrants wearing a t-shirt underneath.
The sweater is knit bottom up and in the round. The body is put on hold while the sleeves are knit and then it is all joined together before starting the owly yoke. I knit a size 6 which I think is a 42 inch chest, there is a couple of inches of negative ease in the final measurements. I actually knitted a gauge swatch for once and was pleasantly surprised when it was spot on. I based the length of the body and sleeves on an old sweater I have which is the perfect fit. (so nice to have sleeves the right length!) There is an extra Owl for each size increase and I ended up with twenty one on mine. The Owl pattern is really easy with only three rows of cables over the ten row pattern. I was a bit undecided about the button eyes, I initially got some mother of pearl ones but they stood out far too much, luckily I found these tiny brown buttons in my local haberdashers which I think are perfect. Sewing on 42 buttons however was a real chore!
I blocked the sweater by putting it through a wool wash on my machine followed by a short spin (to the horror of my mother in law who was convinced it would shrink!) I then laid it out on a towel shaping it to the final measurements.
Overall I love this pattern, it’s quick and easy and would be perfect for a beginner. It’s exceptionally warm, I haven’t needed a coat when I have worn it so it’s perfect for working on the project. I should get a few weeks wear out of it before the weather warms up and I can look forward to wearing it again when the Autumn comes around again!
Just Sew Therapeutic 
Lovely jumper and interesting how you blocked it, I am learning all the time.
Thanks Sharon, I’ve always run things through the machine on a 30 degree wool program, haven’t had any problems yet but there’s always a first time!
Looks great! The buttons may have been a chore, but hey were well worth it! X
Thanks Marilla, glad I went for the little brown ones as they blend in, you can only really see them when the light catches them!
What a great sweater!! It fits you so well and I love the little owls. I would love to knit this one day, but I am terrified of cables – I’ve never knit them before. I think the little brown buttons you chose look perfect too!
You should give it a go it would look great on you, there’s only three rows of cables and they are really easy!
I think this is a thing of beauty! I was really looking forward to seeing this each time I saw an IG pic of your progress. I would like to do more knitting but I am struggling as it is to sew, read and do the day job! Have ordered the clogs by the way – are you worried I might be trying to become you – first pants, now shoes – no worries with the jumper – I don’t have the skills!
Thanks Clarinda, I know how you feel about trying to find time to fit everything in, I really want to get a Sureau cut out but I’ve got a to do list as Lon as my arm! You’ll love the clogs, they don’t need any breaking in. I had a pair of Swedish Hasbeens but had to send them back because I couldn’t face the pain of breaking them in! Hoping the weather warms up soon so we can wear them!
Your sweater is fantastic! It fits you perfectly and the Owls are so fun. One of these days I want to pick up my knitting needles again and see if I remember what to do.
Thanks Teri, I’ve only been knitting again for the past year and a half, if I haven’t been able to sew I at least think I’m doing something productive if I can fit in a few rows in the evening!
Absolutely awesome! The buttons are the perfect touch.
Thanks Mads, I was really lucky finding the buttons as they were just the right size, it did take two evenings to sew them on though, think I’ll be avoiding anything with buttons for a while!
This sweater is so lovely and very flattering on you. Funny that you found some hay in the yarn. Did it also smell of sheep?
The yarn did smell quite strongly of lanolin but it’s faded a bit after washing, Just need to make sure I give it a squirt of perfume when I wear it!
It’s brilliant! I would have hated sewing all those buttons on too but they are absolutely perfect with it, and it looks fantastic on. I have used that wool before for a jumper for Phil and was picking bits out too!
The buttons were a bit of a chore but worth it!