Stalking Starmore
One of my new year’s knitting resolutions was to knit a steeked sweater and originally I thought I’d knit up one of Wendy’s Baby Norgi sweaters just to learn the techniques. But then I started digging through old fair isle books including Meg Swansen’s Knitting and a couple of Alice Starmore’s books… Some of the pieces are beautiful — shades of colours blending into one another… So pretty, I’ve become distracted and obsessed with the idea of knitting a full-size steeked cardi for me.
The first issue here is sizing. All the patterns (being unisex and all for the most part) are written in one size and that size gives me enough room to swim in the sweater. So, I’ll need to design a cardi for myself with the right size first and then drop on the fair isle chart (from one of Starmore’s fab charts) as I like it. Woo hoo. Math, here I come.
While at the library, I also picked up Alice Starmore’s Aran Knitting book. Whoa. I showed the DH a picture of “Na Craga” and asked if he would wear something like that and he replied, “Oh definitely, it’s a very manly sweater.” Yay.
So, now to decide what yarn to knit it in… I could buy the pack of Hebridean 3-ply from Starmore’s studio (for about 100£!!!), or substitute with something else. I noticed people using Cascade 220 which means I could probably use something like Patons Classic Merino… but if I’m going to be investing that much time and effort in it, it’s got to be a glorious, fabulous, absolutely incredible yarn… What about Jamieson’s Soft Shetland, or Rowan Felted Tweed or Yorkshire Tweed… Oh, I can tell it’s going to be an unproductive day at work.
Tags: Alice Starmore
Rowan Harris Tweed is pretty nice too…
(Just trying to help.)
I’m planning on using Filatura Di Crosa 501 for the one I’ll be making for my husband.
Oooh, I can’t wait to see what you pick! You will love knitting Na Craga~ it’s a great design.
I’m part of the St Brigid along and a few people have used Cascade 220 and been very happy. I’m using yarn from a small farm in Minnesota, so that’s of no help to you. I have heard some of the superwash yarns don’t hold up as well.
One thing to consider though, Alice’s yarns are not super-soft. They’re not really scratchy, but I don’t think I could see myself wearing a sweater from her yarn without a T underneath it.
Also, I can say from all my St Brigid swatching that you want to go with a good solid 5 spi yarn. I tried a few 5.5spi yarns and the cables were just not beefy enough. So I wouldn’t recommend Felted Tweed.
You may also want to join the Yahoo Fisherman’s Sweater group. There’s constant discussion about yarn choices on there. Even if you didn’t want to post the question you could certainly browse through the archives.
I’d buy the starmore yarns. They are supposed to be gorgeous. I’m dying to try them and I wouldn’t pass up an excuse.
Hey: before you plunk down a large amount of cash check out Knit Picks yarn. It’s very inexpensive and really wonderful.
Back to mention Blackwater Abbey yarns~ really nice and substantial. I have the Starmore yarn & love it. I’m saving it to do Irish Moss from the same book.
That is such a gorgeous sweater. I am sure my boyfriend will love it! I say look at some KnitPicks yarn. My green sweater is turning out great with their Andean Silk.
While looking for a cool Fair Isle sweater another one to check out is Kaffe Fassett. (http://www.kaffefassett.com/knitting-patternlibraryreview.htm) He did an old book of historical knits where he took different regions of the world and did a collection of amazing Fair Isle sweaters with great shading. I couldn’t find the name of the book online. My mom use to have a copy of it and I remember just looking at if for hours as a teenager.
Also check out the Fair Isle sweaters in the new Loop-d-Loop book by Teva Durham. Mellow Trouble did a nice slide show of photos. Teva Durham sweaters look to run a lot smaller. http://mellowtrouble.net/journal/287/review-of-loop-d-loop Check out slide 15 of the Short-row bias Fair Isle pullover.
I don’t know what the gauge is for that, but I have some of this (two ply medium weight in dark brown) set aside for Starmore’s Inishmore and it is BEAUTIFUL stuff. Really lofty, soft wool, which would be perfect for an Aran. If you see some, snatch it up!
Yes - Blackwater Abbey has beautiful colours. You don’t have to pay Starmore 250 bucks to get a good yarn; there is an amazing, soft aran yarn now at RomniWools.com in Toronto called “Warani”, made in Peru by the Susan Andrew Collection, 50%merino, 50% alpaca. It is sooooo soft, and beautiful knitted up. Comes in an amazing deep orange, and lots of other colours - 6 bucks for 100 metres.
I am using the Jamieson’s Soft Shetland and it’s working out nicely, when I actually knit it.
I am going to use the Cascade 220 for my St. Brigid when and if I ever get around to it.
Hi , I was wondering which library you found Alice Starmores aran Knitting book. I am keen to find a copy of that book. Thanks Marie
I used the Jamison soft shetland for this sweater and loved the look and feel of the finished product. This sweater is my husband’s favorite for our bitter cold Minnesota winters.