09-16-2017

I made it to the first “Sample Round” last night. The pattern continues to be a delight to knit. The engineering precision of the instructions is amazing. And the playful use of knitting tricks is something that I have not seen since Elizabeth Zimmermann’s BSJ and EPS.

I think there was one place where the stitch count was off by one for the front, maybe in Step 4. It should be 29 before decreasing one stitch, instead of 28, but I didn’t write it down right away.

I also added a row marker to the “beginning of row”, which is one stitch before the marker of the Front Left Sleeve Cap. It helps me to quickly find where I have left off in case I have to drop my knitting on a milliseconds notice …

09-17-2017

EOB1 (end of first ball). The great 219 yards per ball really show!

I just reached the first “Sample Rnds 3 & 4”.

All is going well.

I decided, since there are now increases in every row, sometimes on both, the sleeves and the body sections, to switch to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s method of M1L and M1R (example instructions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aviYf_70e2Q) The new stitches won’t be knitted until the next row, but the fabric will puck less.

I also noticed that the center pull threads at the bottom of the new Ultra Wool balls are so easy to find and work perfectly! A true delight when starting a new ball … thank you, Berroco!

09-18-2017

STEP 9 is done … after some - now verified - modifications. Please note the errata for “Separation Rnd 1”:

• Pm, k2, rm, put all sts to next m on holder for sleeve, rm, turn work over so WS is facing, borrow last st for cast-on loop, crochet cast on 5(5-6-7-10-11-11-12) sts, pm, cast on 3(3-4-5-8-9-9-10) sts, make a final chain st but not around the needle, replace remaining loop onto LN, turn work over so RS is facing, knit to 2 sts before next marker, work from * once more, knit to Fm, sm, k1, p1, k1tbl 5 times, knit to m. You are now at beg of left underarm cast on – 92(102-110-120-130-140-148-154) Front sts and 87(97-105-115-125-135-143-149) Back sts.

09-19-2017

In preparation for STEP 10 I swatched the Cable Cross Detail to see what it will look like. I decided that I want to modify it a little bit. I sampled a few ideas and decided that I want to keep it simple and let three twisted bars travel across.

I also decided to start the cable cross right away so that it winds up a little bit more in a broche location.

I’m not sure yet about the optional waist shaping. I liked it when I knitted the Derecho, and the photos of the Macaba show the sleeves rather fitted, so a fitted body may accompany that. I’ll give it a try …

09-19-2017 Gabi’s Cable Cross Detail

I decided to modify the cable cross detail. I like the way the twisted stitches run, and I wanted to let that continue. Also, I like flow, so I only let the cable travel across from left to right.

Knit the Basic Round before and after the Cable Cross Detail. This version is over 5 rounds (instead of 6), the stitch count for the cable cross detail (11) is the same.

Rnd 1: Sm, g1, knit to m twice, sm (=Fm), sl 6 sts to CN and hold to front, k1, p1, (k1, p1, k1 tbl twice, p1) from CN, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, knit to m.

Rnd 2: Sm, g1, knit to m twice, sm (=Fm), k1, p1, k1, p1, k1tbl 4 times, knit to m.

Rnd 3: Sm, g1, knit to m twice, sm (=Fm), k1, p1, sl 6 sts to CN and hold to front, k1 tbl, p1, (k1, p1, k1 tbl twice, p1) from CN, k1 tbl, knit to m.

Rnd 4: Sm, g1, knit to m twice, sm (=Fm), k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1, k1, p1, k1tbl 3 times, knit to m.

Rnd 5: Sm, g1, knit to m twice, sm (=Fm), k1, p1, k1 tbl, p1, sl 5 sts to CN and hold to front, k1 tbl, p1, (k1, p1, k1 tbl twice) from CN, knit to m.

09-20-2017

EOB2 (End of Ball 2), as of midnight last night.

I decided to work the optional waist shaping, and the EOB2 brought me to after the second decrease. The Cable Cross Detail is done and I like it.

After the big Ziggurat excitement up to STEP 9 (Separating Sleeves & Body), the work is now … boring enough to consult Amazon Prime Video for some entertainment.

09-22-2017

EOB3 at 11.5” from underarm.

I think this sweater will get the middle name “Poldark”, since that is what I’m watching.

I’m back to the original stitch count. I increased every 8 rnds instead of the suggested 11/13 rnds since I didn’t read the instructions, no big deal.

09-24-2017

EOB4 and STEPS 10 and 11 complete.

Errata for STEP 11 Stretchy Bind Off:
K1 tbl, p1, sl 2 sts to LN, k2tog tbl, k1 tbl, sl2
to LN, k2tog tbl, p1, sl2 to LN, k2tog tbl, work from to end …

Other notes:

• It took me 6.5 episodes of (new to me) “Poldark” to knit STEPS 10 and 11, if anyone wants to know how long it takes.
• I did not increase within the twisted cable pattern. There’s no need, and I like it better when it looks smoothly.
• I added about 1” to the length of the sweater, personal preference.
• My hem is about 2” because I decided to just use up the fourth ball.
• Please note errata for Stretchy Bind Off above.

Now … on to the sleeves!

09-25-2017

EOB5 First sleeve done.

One skein is enough for one sleeve. Neat.

I’ve added a “Sleeve Rib Detail” to complement the Rib Detail on the front. After the first sleeve round I worked (size 48”, having 72 sts):
Rnd 1: k35, p1, M1, p1, k35.
Rnd 2: k35, p1, k1tbl, p1, k35.
Rnd 3: k34, M1purlwise, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, M1purlwise, k34.
Rnd 4: k34, p1, (k1tbl, p1) three times, k34.
Rnd 5: k33, M1purlwise, (k1tbl, p1) four times, k1tbl, M1purlwise, k33.
Rnd 6: k33, p1, (k1tbl, p1) five times, k33.
Continue the rib detail to one rnd before the cuff. Decrease five sts evenly in that last round to get to the needed sts count (60 sts for size 48”).

In the “Cuff” section, the “Rib Rnds 1&2” are mentioned twice for the larger sizes, but I think they just need to be worked once (which I did).

I’m not sure what to think about the sl sts pattern for the cuffs and the collar … sl sts over seven rows? Poor yarn.

09-27-2017

EOB6, second sleeve done. No sleeve rib detail, because I want to keep the one on the left sleeve a counter to the front rib detail.

Now on to the collar.

I noticed that Berroco has an errata for the collar posted on their website:
“Collar
Rnds 1–7: K1(1-1-1-1-1-5-5), * sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib 3 times, k9, work from * 6(6-6-6-6-6-7-7) times more, sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib 3 times, k8(8-8-8-8-8-4-4).
- posted 9/11/17”

09-28-2017

DONE! The knitting, that is. I’m washing it right now and will take final photos when the weather is better.

This thing is comfy!!!

Notes on the collar knitting: The instructions suggest to pickup the lining stitches shortly after starting the collar. The good part is that at that point it is easy to detect which stitches to pickup, the bad part is that it gets very crowded. Also, the instructions are a little confusing when it comes to putting stitches on a “cable” (I think what they mean is waste yarn), which is not really needed, since you’re knitting on two circular needles anyway at that point. So, here’s what I did:

• Work the collar first.
• Turn the sweater inside out, but leaving the collar stuck in, which makes the area where the lining has to be picked up very easily accessible.
• Now pickup and work the lining.
• Then, you fold everything back as needed for the 3-needle bind off.

One more thing … the instructions for the collar should read:
Rnds 1–7: K1(1-1-1-1-1-5-5), * sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib 3 times, k9, work from * 5(5-5-5-5-5-6-6) times more, sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib 3 times, k8(8-8-8-8-8-4-4).

10-23-2017

The picture is not the best, but hopefully the story is encouraging: It was 55 degrees Fahrenheit this morning in Texas. I decided to wear my Macaba when walking the dog. THIS THING IS PERFECT! It kept me warm when I first stepped out of the house, and it stayed extremely comfortable, even after a brisk walk.

This sweater is a keeper. And it won’t go back into the closet, but will be right here on the back of my office chair.