5 years, but who's counting?.....

I finally did it.  I cast on for Rydraud. It's a free pattern on Ravelry from Steinunn Birna Gudjonsdottir and it's a beauty.  I definitely wouldn't recommend it for a novice knitter...the pattern is rather sketchy, and the yarn is challenging.  But not as challenging as I feared, which was the reason I've put off the start for so long.

The Plotulopi comes in large 'plates' of unspun Icelandic wool (I ordered mine from Tolt, but Schoolhouse Press also carries it)...

The directions say you can knit from these plates, but while this one was tied and contained, the three dark grey plates were not. As I separated the dark stack, they started to tangle.  

I v-e-r-y  c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y wound them into balls, and even being ever so careful, I found the yarn easily breaking.

This is probably the first time in my knitting history that being an extremely loose knitter has been to my advantage.  After the 6cm broken rib edging, the yarn has broken less. (Of course it's going to break when a 23 pound enthusiastic Freddy pounces on it.)

The cardigan is knit in the round with only two purl stitches at the beginning of the row to position where the steek will be cut. I can tell already it's going to be impossible to see this without somehow outlining it in a light colour.  I'll worry about that later.  

The yarn reminded me a lot of the unspun Lopi Icelandic wool that was distributed by Reynolds years ago and that is now discontinued.  It appears these same 'Reynolds' yarns are now sold and distributed by Istex (the Icelandic producer of the Plotulopi) under the name Alafoss Lopi.

This sweater was knit at least 15 or 20 years ago with Reynold's Lopi.  It has worn amazingly well and is still loved by me and a whole new generation of pups who get walked in the winter while I wear it.  (I'm sure Freddy is not associating the sweater with a walk...he simply loves to roll around in my photo shoots.)

Here's hoping the Rydraud will wear as well!

 

* * * * * * * * * 

The winner of Knit Local in the 5 year blogiversary drawing is Dawn'l.  Yes.  Today was the day...5 years ago...that I hit the publish button---twice, and made a duplicate post.  I've been stuttering my way through ever since.  Thanks for joining me on my knitting journey!!!

Comments

[Katrine]

That's going to be an amazing sweater. Although it looks hot to work with, maybe your cooler days are just around the corner. Congratulations on your blogging anniversary - I love reading your words, seeing your pictures, and living vicariously through you! Your knitting accomplishments put me to shame! Happy day, k

[Aoife]

I have been really curious about working with this stuff! It looks like fun but I do imagine it pulling apart and getting way too much cat hair stuck to it before I've even made anything with it.

[karen]

happy anniversary! and congrats to the winner :) lovely new sweater in the making and in your favorite colors!

[Sara]

Happy anniversary! Tell me why anyone wants to knit with unspun yarn? And it stays together after you're finished? Mind blown.

[AsKatKnits]

Happy Blogiversary! And, Congrats to Dawn'l! I have been wanting to knit with some Plotulopi since I saw Anne Shane knit her Bang Out a Sweater with it! This might be the inspiration I need to get my brain into autumn, this would be perfect to take on our vacation in September/August! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Elizabeth]

Many years!!! fun to have your blog around these parts! :)

[steph@woolythyme]

It's my understanding that because it is so thin and lofty....the finished garment is very light in weight...yet extremely warm.  It's that 'stay together' part that makes me a bit nervous.  The Lopi from Reynolds was unspun, but heftier than this stuff I'm using now.  

[DIane]

Congratulations on the 5 year anniversary. I get such a kick out of Freddy. But more amazing to me is this challenge you've taken on with the cardigan and the plates of unspun! eek. You'll be so proud of this beauty once it's finished and I'm sure you'll wear it for decades to come!

[Andrea @ This Knitted Life]

Gosh, just prepping the yarn screams "go uncork a nice bottle of red!" Best of luck on this endeavor! As if you could top that dress. Golly.

[Wendi]

That is going to be lovely!

[Tahnee]

That project sounds like quite the challenge, but in a good way! Good luck keeping the yarn from not breaking/getting tangled and let's hope it'll give you another cardigan that lasts so long :)

[Lisa]

Yay for five years of blogging! Congrats to your winner and best wishes on that yarn winding and knitting! xo