Finally the Elizabeth Zimmermann seamless raglan jerseys are finished, sewn up and put on. Even if our models are sweltering (Michelle) or chilly (it’s winter in Perth), they look amazing and I think this has been a very successful project for us all.
Let’s start with Fadanista Sue who produced a stunning sweater. That dark grey with the orange, red and brown is such a gorgeous combination, and one that utterly suits her. She is a highly competent knitter and you can see that her sleeves exactly match the bodice. Her borders are garter stitched and it really looks so nice with her slim denim skirt giving a nice urban look. Sue is incredibly social and really helped the knit-along along. Thank you.
`Next up is a summer version, in cotton yarns, from Chris (@saiddoneChris) in Southern Germany, where the weather is often very nice in summer time. She did an inside out version with the back of the stocking stitch showing. This beautifully reveals what happens when you stripe a sweater – you get what looks like a running stitch above and below the stripe. I love this effect. Her soft, light, cool colour palette is absolutely perfect for her light cool colouring and the neck-shaping has worked very well. Also short sleeves are a huge sucess. I like the way she bordered the neckline in mauve and the sleeves in white.
Kerry (@Kerrysview) in Melbourne is a ferocious knitter and very skilled she is too. You may remember her EZ yoke jumpers with their lovely Icelandic pattern. I shamelessly copied her. I really love this version with its super pockets! Yes pockets. I want a jumper with pockets. Of course the Australians lead on the pockets front. Also the restrained palette is very nice – I love black and grey together. Making the jumper a little blousey has resulted in a slight dropped shoulder look which is very attractive, don’t you think?
Michelle provides us with a back and front view, so we can appreciate her lovely knitting. That dark red really brings the turquoise to life doesn’t it? I love the plainish sleeves with a nice band at the wrist. And the trousers Michelle made from Winifred Aldridge. I tried it too and the pattern is pretty reliable and fairly easy. Michelle also did a great sweater for the colourful yoke Knitalong last year, and I was so pleased to meet her in the flesh at my book launch. She is now on Instagram as @grannyinstitches.
One of my favourites (how can I say that? – I really love them all!) is made by Courtney a lawyer who lives in America. She uses a lot of black (and goes by @blackyarns on Instagram), and this jersey is predominantly black. But the use of lots of left over yarns, mainly in deep colours, is stunning and looks like seams of minerals in a coal face. Also she has gone a bit off piste with the sleeves (hurrah!) and attempted a V neck. Such a striking variation is way above my pay grade but it does show how very flexible this pattern-free approach to making knitwear really is.
And finally we have Shell, another Australian. Shell has recently been having stem-cell treatment and had lots of time in hospital (poor thing) but is definitely on the mend now. She lost her long, curly hair, but her reddish-grey crop is beautiful and these soft turquoise and grey yarns, complemented by a strong red stripes is so harmonious with her warm, light colouring. This photograph makes me especially happy as an image of strength and natural beauty despite the challenges she has faced. Very well done Shell. You are amazing.
And finally my green one. Now completely woven in, washed and worn.
I know there are a few more in the works and will do a second post when the others are done (no pressure) I have a second one on the go too, which is proving to be a bit of a disaster. I have managed to loose two balls of wool so it is taking an unplanned turn….Oh well, that is the unpredictability of craft.
Black and blanc
These are so beautiful! Everyone crafted the perfect sweater and it is very inspiring to see them, and has me itching to knit. Great work ladies.
Sue
A great roundup post, Kate. I like them all very much (even mine, which is a bit of a surprise!), and love the fact that everyone has found a way to put a different spin on their stripes and jumper shapes, which makes things so interesting and inspirational. It’s also nice to be introduced to some new to me Instagrammers.
Hélène
Love them all!! I’m amazed at the variety of colours producing very different effects. I shall join in the next round as I still have some yarns to weave in on mine. Thank you for this super sew-along Kate xx
helen
All of these look fab! The colours are great.
I am at the top of my second sleeve so need to get my act together and join sleeves to the body and tackle the raglans.
Anne
They are all fabulous!
Nancy Hedberg
Every one of these is stunningly beautiful! I also follow Fandinista! so saw a little shared early on. Love the idea of the American one, where “those of us who are still working” tend to work black into our wardrobes to go with everything else that is ‘off the beaten track’ in the workaday boredom (OH! did I say that? I meant workaday wardrobe.) And Shell, you look lovely! Wishing you the best in your work toward good health. And yours, Kate. Lovely! I love the greens. …just waiting patiently for a copy of your book to be delivered. (Shameless promo: if you have grandchildren, check out Root & Star https://rootandstar.com/, a childrens’ magazine with no advertising. For children from 8 to 80.) I hope to get back to knitting more, and there is no better source than EZ! Congratulations to everyone who participated in this. Now, Kate, you have tempted me think of the Frida Sew along. Such an inspiring exhibition in St. Petersburg, FL last year, and at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
fabrickated
Well hello Nancy – I posted your book on Monday so it may take a few days to get to you, but so far the postal system appears to work, which is rather miraculous in some respects.
I must write a new post about wearing black which has been so ubiquitous, at least in Europe and the States, for decades now. I think most of us in the sewing community react against fashion fads to some extent, and the Frida sewalong, despite being inspired by an artist who is very “on trend”, really celebrates individuality and creativity, which is what many of us (and certainly my book) is all about. It would be great to have you in the sewalong (there are still four posts to come on skirts, headdresses, shawls and other accessories, and what we learned).
I have also found Zimmermann, as you suggest, to be such an amazing inspiration to creativity and individuality. These lovely sweaters all come from women who, tentatively perhaps, are creating garments that express who they are and how they feel. I find the whole thing life affirming.
Kerry
Hats off to you, Kate, for organising the knitalong, and also to EZ who has given us the confidence to knit off-piste and virtually patternless. I find it amazing that by using the same ‘non-pattern’ we can end up with such different but wonderful results. By the way, I love the pockets on mine but will possibly rework the yoke to see what difference it will make.
fabrickated
I love your pockets Kerry and I am very keen to give it a try myself, and will do at some point. I like your boat neck – it seems to work well with the slightly Breton look you have achieved.
Anita Steiner
I love them all. Hope to knit one myself once I have finished more of my languishing sweaters. Many greetings from sweltering Basel, Anita
fabrickated
Me too Anita! It’s hotter than ever here – sending love.
Lissa
Help, I can’t work out how to send a photo of my jumper 🙂
fabrickated
I just received it. Thank so much Lisa!
The cushions won… | The Material Lady
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