Please to dance round for the one called the greenman

Well. Tonight I cooked a truly dreadful curry. My worst meal in a very long time, maybe ever. I don't know exactly what went wrong, though I think I must have modified a few too many elements from my standard procedure. To add insult to injury, the thing I've been mucking about with the last couple of days does not seem to be working out, unsurprising given that it was an impulsive attempt with pretty inappropriate yarn.

I am/was planning to wear it layered over a long-sleeved top. I'll give it one more chance to work out. Right now it is in time out. If I can make the concept work I might invest in a small amount of something luxurious (a silk blend?) to knit it again.



I do, however, have laurels to rest on. Sherwood (from Knitty) is done, and handed over, and what's more, a very good fit.

I had my sister measure one of his size 2 jumpers - still a little big for him at 18 months - and the dimensions corresponded with size 4 in the Sherwood pattern. I think I got gauge with the new Paton's Merino Totem - I admit I didn't bother with a gauge swatch, but I did take the body off the needles after a decent chunk was done, and gave it a good soaking so I could check gauge. I thought if anything it was going to be a bit too big and therefore good for next winter.


I owe a debt of gratitude to Julie for her perfectly timed post on substituting yarns which lead to the decision to add some length - after discussion with some of my S n B buddies. Sherwood is written for an 80% cotton blend so I figured it would be likely to stretch a bit longer than 100% wool, even if it looked like I was getting the right row gauge. I actually added almost half as much length again as the pattern called for (so I can't have been getting correct row gauge, surely) and it has turned out pretty much perfect for him right now. The sleeves have a bit of growing room but the body just might be too short for next winter. That doesn't worry me, as he really needed it right now - it's getting really cold and he loves to be outside as much as possible.

Anyway it's a lovely pattern and I would do it again. It's all knit in the round so there is minimal finishing and no bulky seams. The charts are quite easy to follow, though everyone who glanced at them casually thought they were very complicated! (They aren't - I have very little chart experience and I was fine) The sleeves are picked up and knit down, making it easy to customise the length. The ribbing in the 8 ply wool I chose might be too warm for indoor wear - remember it was written for 80% cotton 20% wool - but it's a really nice warm jumper for cold climates.