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This Leicester longwool has been a pleasure to look at but finding the right project for it has been a quest. I started a top down raglan with a pattern I cobbled from Ann Budd’s Sweater Pattern Book (need to look up the proper name) This sweater had a rolled neck with raglan sleeves. I knit the first ball of plied yarn and put it aside until I could ply some more yarn. When I picked it up, I didn’t like the neck at all; far too wide and gaping. Frogged.
Then, I looked through my patterns for something else. Cobblestone by Jared Flood came to mind. It is in an old Interweave Knits which is a treasure issue, full of great patterns. I started knitting but found that I had a hard time getting gauge (18/4) and my imperfect yarn was hard to keep in line. I dropped stitches and got the garter stitch parts messed up. The fabric was a little stiff. Frogged.
Next, a Jared Flood pattern from Wool called Ranger. A really nice slipped stitch cardigan. This was designed for his new yarn Shelter which is again 18/4. I started the sleeves and found that the gauge was off and the fabric was terribly thick. Glad it was only a cuff and part sleeve. Frogged.
I have two books dedicated to men’s sweaters: Knits Men Want by Bruce Weinstein and Knitting for Him by Martin Storey. There is a nice sweater with 1/2 Fisherman’s Rib (doesn’t knit into the stitch below) which is simple and nice. I have decided that a simple knit is better than anything fussy. I did a gauge swatch in the pattern and while it works to gauge, the fabric was think and the hairiness of the yarn obscured the textured stitch. Waste of time.
The Shawl Collar Sweater has a large gauge and I tried knitting a swatch on 10 1/2 needles. I got around 13-14/4 and 12 is needed. If I go up a size needle to an 11 (which is called for anyway), I think I can get gauge. The fabric is a little loose but I know if I wet block it will fill in. I am going to give this a try. It has contrast ribbing in a darker color. I can decide on that later by using a provisional cast on.
Actually, this yarn is a workout for the fingers and the smaller gauge actually bothers my L thumb, where I have a little arthritis. The goal is to have a wearable garment not armor that will stand up by itself so the quest for the right project and the correct gauge.
Going forward, I think it should be spun thinner or perhaps think weaving?

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