Today I’m reviewing my latest knitting finished object. I’ll try and cover all the things, but please leave a comment if I leave something out or if you want any more info! I hope to have regular reviews up of all my makes, so if I’m leaving something out that would be helpful in future posts, please let me know.
This is the It’s Not A Sweatshirt from Knitting for Olive.
The description of the pattern is “It’s Not a Sweatshirt is a simple and basic staple sweater with a relaxed fit, inspired by the classic sweatshirt. The sweater is worked seamless top down in the round in stockinette stitch. It begins with a folded ribbed neckband, and continues with short row neckline shaping and raglan increases to the underarms. Sleeve stitches are then placed on hold to be worked after the body has been completed.
It’s Not a Sweatshirt is knit with two strands together throughout, one strand of Merino and one strand of Soft Silk Mohair. You can easily add your personal and unique touch to this basic sweater by mixing and matching colors and choosing your own combination. The possible variations are endless!”
The sizing goes from an XS- 4XL which is a finished bust measurement of 37 3/4 inches to 60 3/4 inches with a recommended positive eace of 1 1/2- 5 1/2 inches. I would call this a size inclusive pattern and found it worked up true to the measurements given.
One of my only quibbles with this pattern is the lack of photos on a human body that the company shows. There are 108 projects on Ravelry so you can make sure you like the fit and shape of the piece, but I do wish they had a couple of photos showing the fit as intended on their pattern page. The neckline on this is a little wider than I expected. Looking at the photos, it does appear to be the same, it’s just hard to really decipher when it’s only shown on a hanger. Now that I’ve worn it a bit, I like the neckline, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.
The instructions were simple, not a lot of fuss, but there are plenty of links to tutorials on the Knitting for Olive page if you needed them. It’s a top down raglan, so fairly simple construction, and not a lot of hand holding is needed. I think a newer knitter could absolutely tackle this one.
What drew me to this pattern is that it lives up to its name. It really has the fit and wearing ease of a sweatshirt and is incredibly comfortable and cozy to throw on.
Knitting for Olive is a yarn company so that is what they recommend for this sweater. I was dying to try the Peer Gynt yarn from Sandes Garn in the Jelly Bean Green colorway ever since I saw it on the Spring Sandes Garn Catalog cover. This is a 100% Norwegian wool that was really nice to knit with on my wooden Lykke needles. It is a little more rustic, but after blocking it has a nice drape and softens up. I wouldn’t call it soft exactly, but it doesn’t bother me next to skin.
I bought yarn at both Scratch Supply Co and Mother Knitters. I bought 9 skeins at $8 a skein and ended up with 2 and a little over half of one leftover. I’m thinking I could use it for a great hat or maybe whip up something for my baby niece.
I made the size small and it fits really well. I love the body length and the amount of ease, I do wish I had lengthened the arms. Please just remind me from here on out that I need to lengthen all arms at least an inch!
I could see myself making this pattern again, I’ve even considered making it for my kids. It’s simple but well done and would be cool in different variegations or playing with a rainbow of colors. It came together in a little less than 2 months (and that was with a lot of travel and not bringing it with me) so it will definitely be one I consider when I’m looking for a simple make.
I love this with jeans and also how much it pops with my white jeans. I think it will be fun to play around and wear it with some of my more colorful bottoms as well as just be able to throw it on like I would a sweatshirt.
Every sweater I knit gets better, stitches are more even, fit is better, and this one is my best sweater yet. I enjoyed the whole process and am glad I branched out a little with a bold color. This is the perfect sweater for spring here in Colorado and I’ve been wearing it a lot ever since I finished it!
Thoughts on Creativity 