After Finishing: 20 June 18

As is sometimes the case, adjustments need to be made. The weather has been too warm to wear it more than once, but that once told me the neck was definitely too high and so I took to the scissors and took the collar out, finishing with a simple icord just above the first set of clusters.

One more wear and it became clear that this wasn’t enough and anyway, it looked unbalanced so I took out those clusters right back to row before the cables, and knitted back up a scant few rounds of twisted rib and it’s great now.

For good measure I added another inch of twisted rib but on reflection I didn’t need to do that so they might come out again.

FYI next time I make this I’m going to skip most of the decoration and keep it simple. The yoke/raglan combination and the genius, genius body shaping are really what makes this very high in the eternal search for the perfect jumper.

Thank you Junko. x

Beginning 6th April

Have been looking at these, and let’s face it, all the other Junko jumpers wondering which ones to make next and Alix P made the decision for me! She’s way ahead, I’m very slow.

Cast on very early morning and managed half the twisted rib on the train to see the babies. Bought a short pointy needle for doing the wraps at RingARosie yesterday. Always such fun to go there.

The exciting bits are yet to come. Onwards!

11 April
Intending finishing the yoke today. Got down to the end of the ribbing so far. What an absolutely lovely experience knitting this. Loving it so far. Looks good too!

NB
The BOR marker moves in Yoke Section 2. There’s an instruction to RM and then the next round begins immediately before the next shoulder chart. I’m very pleased because centre back BORs can be/are usually so messy and especially in a design like this where the back looks as lovely as the front, we wouldn’t want a jiggling round joint sliding down the spine.

Hooray for Junko!

12 April
Cancel everything! No visits, no shopping, no gardening, no phone calls, no Facebook, no weaving. Everything. Just knitting. I’ve not felt this good/motivated/happy since Speckle & Pop.

Loving this.

17 April
Joined front and back a couple of days ago, two rounds in, tried on to check size of armholes. It’s snugger than I expected but it’s ok so I’m going to knit on. Surgery later would be really difficult so it’s important to check fit properly at this juncture.

Somehow I’ve got my BOR starting with knotting the back and not the front so will have to watch that I don’t do the short rows in front by mistake.

Ooh it’s nice.

Next thing is decreases. I’m not doing them either side of the pretty panel as written and won’t start them until the elbow. They’re going to be in pairs at either side of the sleeve BOR.

Tips for finishing without a wavy hem would be very much appreciated.

9 May
Corrected a knit which should’ve been a purl and sleeves are progressing well now. Aiming for 62 sts after 8 repeats on each sleeve and then I’ll take off the needles and try on again.

Aiming to finish the sleeves this weekend sometime and then power on down the body. I want to wear it next week in Hale. Life is sweet.

11 May
Omg those sleeves are gruelling. If I was one of those knitters with multiple WIPs I swear it would be down the back of the sofa by now. But I’m not. And it isn’t. I’m slogging on.

10 chart repeats in the length. Plus ribbing.

Picking up the body and I’d forgotten there were short rows so when I lost a stitch that’s why there’s a hole. I’ll see it up later.

FYI the decreases in the first row of ribbing are in the FRONT. It can get slightly confusing when you get there. M is BOR and MM is opposite side, with a load more fabric in the back. Yep.

Not far to go now and a mere one cone of yak/geelong down. Extremely economical.

12 May
Wooo and just into 2nd cone. Have the rest of the ribbing on the hem to go, probably 3.5 more inches. And finishing the cuffs too with maybe an inch of twisted 1x1.

Note to self to drop a needle size to knit the course le of rounds of stocking stitch after the rib.

Almost there.

13 May
Spoke too soon.

Watching Eurovision last night only managed to knit half of the ribbing I need. Last picture is how long each round is taking this morning without #madabakabeat distractions - eeek! Won’t get this finished this weekend after all. Or very doubtful. Will wind off a chunk from each cone and take it with me to Hale this week, try to finish it there.

15 May
Wearing it on my train journey to Hale, incomplete, cuffs still to do but I’ve run out of cashmere merino so I’ll need another cone. Might also do another chart repeat bringing them to 11 each sleeve, and then the ribbed cuffs.

Ends dripping gracefully from the cast on, cast off and both sleeves, this looks absolutely fabulous. Accurate weights and measures to come but fwiw I did 4” of twisted rib in the hem.

Blue bag to come, hah!

19 May
Hot soak in washing up liquid to remove the machine oils, rinse, spin, and left overnight pinned out on the bedroom floor to dry. Loving the damp texture. Must keep little cat away.

21 May
Forgot to order more cashmere-merino so finished the cuffs with cashmere-cotton cobweb, a very slightly different colour therefore but nobody will see it. My little Zaky, nearly 3 years old: “love your jumper Nanna!” Great taste this kid.

It’s done. Bloody Norah it’s done. Oh my I love it totally love it. Make one. It’s a bit of a workout, you definitely need to keep at it, but totally worth it.

The yarns need a special mention. They are fabulous. Absolutely the best yarns I’ve ever used for anything. Glorious fine fabric with loft and absolutely wearable against my super sensitive skin!

NB: it is one size so if you want the look achieved by the petite Japanese women modelling theirs, add loads more stitches in the body. It is very easy to see where: do more increases in the front & back immediately after the yoke ribbing; do more increases in the width at the sides; do more length before the short rows.

Do not omit the short rows!! Seriously. And don’t skimp on the ribbing because you’ll feel like dumping it in a cess pit by then, trust me.

I made 10 chart repeats in the sleeves plus 2” of cuff ribbing.

Measurements:
Weight 258g
Length from back neck to hem 24” 61cm
Length from front neck to hem 19.5” 50cm
Width at underarm 50” 128cm
Width at hem 44” 112cm
Sleeve length from underarm 19” 48cm
Sleeve length from neckline 30” 76cm

——
LATER

4th December 2018
During a persistent bout of horrible throat and chest infections I’m stuck at home and getting better, pottering about and found this packet of dye in the cupboard. Bit risky I guess but lots of gentle agitation and I’m really really pleased with the outcome.

Watch my lips: NEVER WEAR BEIGE.