Some of the photos are a bit blurry and grainy but I did notice one interesting thing. The photographs from most Dale patterns I've seen look machine knit as in this sleeve detail from the Lake Louise pattern.
Check this out - this detail from the Le Massif sleeve almost looks hand knit, doesn't it? Or perhaps that is what Falk looks like machine knit? All the patterns are in either Heilo or Falk.
As I predicted, DH has requested I make him the Whistler sweater. I prefer the Le Massif pattern so I am at least going to make the Le Massif hat for him as my next project. Here's the Whistler in one colorway - it is all about the maple leaves.
In this colorway of Whistler you can't really tell that it is knit in both navy and black. I am admiring the fancy Dale zipper but haven't yet checked out how much that will cost. When I knit the Dale Sirdal cardigan the beautiful traditional Dale braiding and buttons cost more than the yarn I used.
I'm planning to knit this sweater for December although I will probably have many modifications. DH insists on ribbing so I'll add that at the cuffs and I'm also going to use the maple leaf motif there as well.
I think I'm going to knit this in Peruvian Highland Sport to cut down on the warmth - I've used sport weight before as an alternative to Heilo (DK weight) and I can usually get away with it by going up a needle size. I'd prefer knitting with Heilo but unfortunately he'll never wear it if I make it too heavy. I knit him the Dale SLC Olympic sweater in Heilo and so far he's only worn it once. sigh
The main color will probably be Tapestry Blue. I'm also going to add a few more colors than the original four to the cuffs, shoulders, and collar . I was thinking about adding a lice stitch to the boring plain stockinette portion of the sweater but unfortunately I don't think DH would like the effect.
6 comments:
Boy is he lucky to have you for a knitter wife... It's going to be wonderful!
I got my booklet, too - it arrived before I even had a chance to wonder when it would come! Beautiful designs.
I want to knit up all the caps before I choose a sweater, though. It will help me pick colors and yarns, and in Minnesota I am always looking for a hat!
I wish I loved Dale of Norway yarns as much as I love their patterns. I was part of the Ingeborg knit-along a few years ago and couldn't finish it - the yarn split and was just falling apart. It was dry and lifeless. Maybe I was spoiled by Blackberry Ridge. I did Ingeborg in Blackberry Ridge yarns and love it.
Lots of people love Heilo and Falk, of course. Just doesn't do anything for me. Vesterheim Museum over in Decorah, Iowa is doing a Norway textiles tour next fall. Wish I could go!
Andrea
Nanette -- what stunning examples of things to knit. But I think you are exactly right about going to a lighter yarn: we actually gave some older but still in pristine Dale of Norway sweaters away when we were sorting to move -- they are just so heavy that you don't want to wear them anymore unless you are cross country skiing in a blizzard. I guess in Norway you might want them, but even under a jacket or coat they are heavy. But the colors are so.... beautiful!
Thanks Pat! I think Dale of Norway sweaters are probably the most enjoyable of all knitting so it isn't much of a sacrifice. :)
Andrea, Blackberry Ridge is an interesting choice. I may have to consider that as well for Whistler. I hear people all the time warning against using Nature Spun for Dale sweaters but my Heilo sweater is definitely pilling more. Still, I do love the sheen it has.
I was looking at the chart for the Le Massif hat in the booklet - they tell you to work the colorwork to the right end of the chart, then work it back almost to the end from the left. Ahh - Dale of Norway knitting insanity! LOL
maryjoo, of course I always wish I was cross country skiing in a blizzard LOL but I do agree about the heaviness of the sweaters with Heilo. I am going to investigate some other yarn choices to lighten it up.
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