11-14-2013: Update on pattern mods: for the white soap sweater, changed my cast on method to Judy’s Magic Cast-on and used Kitchener Stitch at end of decreases - finished edges are now nice and smooth after felting.
Used the blank canvas provided by Cynthia Hall’s Soap Sweater pattern to add the Seed Wishbone pattern from Barbara G. Walker’s “A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns” p. 167-168. It has an eight row repeat which I knit twice, then added rows 1 and 2 again before beginning the decrease rows. Looks a bit like the ever-popular owl pattern popping up everywhere.
Using good Scottish vegetable-based, triple-milled soap; it has a wonderful, clean smell.
I’ll use running hot water and dish-washing gloves to lather this bar up in order to begin the felting process. When dry, will use for little Christmas gifts; the plan is to make a dozen. Acrylic soap dish is from The Container Store.
As the soap is used, the soap sweater will continue to felt, shrinking around the soap. The warm/hot water and agitation used when washing hands creates lots of lather and scrubbing action. Amazingly, the sweater keeps the soapy liquid from leaving a mess on the sink.