Sideways Aran Wrap, Vogue Knitting Fall 2008

How sweet it is to have my first pattern published in Vogue Knitting magazine!  I'm certainly keeping good company, with my #30 Aran wrap alongside Mary Lynn Patrick's #29 cabled jacket in VK's "English Garden" story.  A pause while I say "Aahh," and bask in the moment I've been waiting for since I first learned my design was accepted, more than nine months ago (photo at left courtesy of Soho Publishing). 

Ah, yes.  Dare I admit a few thorny details which are marring my rosy day?  First, the prickliest:  the text on the photo page states, "...the sleeves are worked separately and sewn in."  Um, NO THEY'RE NOT!  At first I thought the editors had radically altered my original pattern, but no, the pattern still calls for the sleeve stitches to be picked up around the armhole and then worked down to the cuff.  Maybe this is my inner neurotic designer speaking, but that seems like a fairly important bit of information regarding the sweater construction.  It's also a fun way to work the sleeve (secondo me) and nicely maintains the continuity of the cables across the back and down the sleeve.  Another cool thing about the design is that the front edge (which is really the top edge) cable is reversible, meaning it can be folded back and still looks like, well, the right side instead of the wrong side of the fabric--something which is not mentioned.  And finally, I guess I never really noticed this before, but with only one photo of each design, it's not possible to get a good idea of how it looks from various angles, which I think is a problem for anything with an unusual construction or special detailing on the back or the sleeves.  After considering this, I thought to myself, "At least knitters can look at the schematic and get a better idea of the construction,"-- but again, no, there is no schematic for my design.  So, if you look carefully at the 2nd photo, at least it gives a good idea of the construction:  you work the upper part side to side, binding off stitches and then casting on again to form the armholes; pick up stitches around the armholes and knit down to the cuff for the sleeves; and then pick up stitches along the lower edge and knit down to form the wide vertical ribbed hem.  Simple?  Maybe not.  Fun?  Yes.  (But be warned, it is the size of a lap blanket, and quite heavy if worked in the suggested alpaca yarn.)

And now, please indulge me as I post a few more photos; the top of my son's head managed to find its way into the last one.

Comments

[Susan Scott]

Congratulations on selling to VK! And commiserations on how they (mis)described your design. I have to admit that when I saw this photo in the 'zine, I didn't consider makng it, because I couldn't figure it out from the photo and lack of a schematic. However, now after seeing your post and photos, I'm seriously interested. Gorgeous!

BTW -- what yarn would YOU recommend?

[Susan Scott]

Oops, just found your later post on suggested yarns for this sweater. Thank you!

[amy]

Angela, this sweater is stunning. It's literally the only thing that's ever made me want to learn to do cabling and other more complicated patterns! (I am a generally lazy knitter, and I prefer not to have to think too much about where I am in a pattern.) I do have one question--does Vogue realize that the yarn called for has been discontinued by Trendsetter? I found that odd--I did see that you've given suggestions for substitutions, so thanks for that. Clearly, it'll be necessary information to have. Anyway, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

[kuaikuai]

You mention that the garment will be very heavy if knit in the suggested alpaca yarn. I'm curious whether you chose this yarn or if VK chose it. I think it would be ideal someplace that actually got cold.

But I live in NC and if I knit this in alpaca, it would be way too warm 345 days of the year, while it's beautiful enough to wear all winter! I was wondering if one could knit a lighter yarn at a looser gauge, (e.g. Berocco's Ultra Alpaca or even Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool -- knit at 16 st = 4" instead of the label gauge) -- that would make the garment less heavy, more breathable, and I think the drape would work with this design. What do you think? Any other suggestions?

[MJ]

Hi, I found your beautiful design through Ravelry. I love the construction and all the cables. Congratulations on having your first pattern published!

[Darcy]

I love it so gorgeous and the color is yummy:)Hugs Darcy

[Cinzia]

Complimenti per le bellissime cose che riesci a creare! Seguo da tanto tempo il tuo blog. Ho cercato nelle varie edicole di Como (la mia citta') Vogue Knitting ma e' una rivista che nessuno tiene. Tu sai dirmi dove devo andare per comperarla?

[Cinzia]

Complimenti per le bellissime cose che riesci a creare! Seguo da tanto tempo il tuo blog. Ho cercato nelle varie edicole di Como (la mia citta') Vogue Knitting ma e' una rivista che nessuno tiene. Tu sai dirmi dove devo andare per comperarla?

[Patience Cary]

I've had this issue and looked through it... I never would have looked twice at this pattern until I just stumbled onto your site here... I LOVE it! Vogue doesn't do it justice. This is a very cool wrap/sweater.

[Sally]

So glad tp have found you Angela. Was disappointed at lack of info in Vogue or on Ravelry (!) Am certainly going to give your lovely and innovate jacket a try.

[Sylvana]

I just discovered this beautiful pattern (a friend sent the link of your blog) and I think is fantastic, just what I needed for this fall. I'm pregnant and I wanted to knit something I can use later and with this construction you can adjust it to your body very easily. Thank you, now I have to get that magazine.

[Suzan Wisner]

Your pictures are very helpful. I saw this and was intrigued. I went back through my old copies of Vogue for the pattern. I never would have considered it the way they presented it. I am planning to try it in Debbie Bliss alpaca silk aran and think it will be beautiful. Thanks Suzan