Tuesday, July 30, 2013

tea leaves


I've had my (finally finished!) Tea Leaves cardigan sitting in my cupboard, nicely folded, and with a few wearings under it's belt for several weeks now. Goodness knows why it has taken so long to make an appearance on the blog. Perhaps it had something to do with the poor lighting for photos lately or just plain procrastination on my part.

Nevertheless, here it is, almost one year after that bundle of wool arrived at my gate. Apart from a scarf when I first started out knitting, this was the first project that I  had attempted for myself. There is quite a lot more to consider when knitting for oneself. Unlike knitting for children it is a little harder to get away with guessing of the sizing and fit. Kid's knits are much more forgiving in that way. True to usual form I did not do knit a gauge stitch. Although having knitted the Tea Leaves cardigan before, albeit in children's sizes (here and here), I was probably a little ahead of myself. Then there was the time it takes to knit a more substantial piece. Row after row after row. There was a certain comfort in the monotony of it for the most part, and once past the yoke, it seemed to come together quicker than expected. It is the largest project I have tackled to date.






Bendigo's Luxury Yarn (in the Lake shade) was lovely and smooth to knit with, and I would happily use it again. Drapey and warm are two other qualities worth mentioning about the yarn. I managed to match a few ceramic buttons in almost the exact same shade.

I made the smallest size, but it feels a touch big, though I have been told it is fine. I am pretty sure this is not due to my actual size or the pattern, but my tendency to knit pieces rather loosely. Yes, after numerous projects that came out too big, I have finally realised it was my knitting style all along. So smaller needles for me from now on!





Some of you may have noticed that I was wearing my Tea Leaves in my recent holiday photos. In my haste to wear it, I didn't block it and my ordered buttons had not yet arrived. So I sewed on a set of plain buttons and that did quite nicely for a week or so.




Despite it's little mistakes (of which there are a quite a few) and the patience involved, it is warm and comfortable. It reminds me of the possibilities of knitting. That a large project is not so scary afterall. I guess every project comes with it's lessons, and this one had no shortage of those. But the main thing is that I do love to wear it, and I don't think I could ask for more than that for my first adult sized knit.



Ravelry notes here

16 comments:

  1. It looks gorgeous, Tania. Love the shape on you and the colour:) x

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  2. Oh it's wonderful! You've so inspired me to give this one a whirl. I've made a few bubby ones and have had the adult pattern earmarked for ages. I'm going to do it!! I always find your world so very inspiring. Thanks for sharing lovely soul and hope your day is beautiful :) xx

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  3. It's lovely Tania. Such a great pattern, and the colour is beautiful against your dark hair. I've used the same wool & shade for a couple of projects too. It's amazing how far those Bendigo wool balls go! I'm not a swatcher either but my sizing troubles go the other way. Larger needles definitely needed! Knitting style seems a bit like handwriting I think. Thank you for sharing and inspiring. You're so clever with all the beautiful things you make. fiona x

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  4. Beautiful Tania. I love the tea leaves pattern. I've almost finished the body of the 3rd I started. But I find I can't stick to patterns and this time have reversed the knit. I'm also doing a ribbed edge at the bottom, as I'll also do for the cuffs.

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  5. Oh well done, Tania!! It looks lovely and is sure to be special since its your first one for you! It's really rather good to follow along on your knitting journey coz I'm just a bit behind and have been having thoughts of knitting myself something 'large' too....... but am still a bit daunted! Perhaps I might just give it a go now......?? xxx

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  6. I love this - I am in the middle of knitting my first ever adult Tea leaves to gift to my mam at christmas (jury's out on whether it will be this christmas or next, though!). I love the colour you have chosen (I am knitting it in a similar blue from Bendigo too). It looks really great on you! xx

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  7. It's really lovely, you're very clever, I wish I had the patience to sit and teach myself to knit properly..one day..

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  8. Love it! Gorgeous colour! Very clever indeed, I have never attempted to knit for myself but you give me hope ;))

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  9. The jumper looks lovely on you and congratulations on completing it, the reward is wearing it and showing it off. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  10. Simply gorgeous Tania! You have done very well :)

    x

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  11. You have done a great job!!
    I love seeing people's projects and you have inspired me to again pick up my crochet hook.....I still am terrible at knitting lol so crochet will have to do for now for me :)
    I have been looking through a few blogs this morning and found so much woolly inspiration!!

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  12. What a gorgeous colour Tania! I love its cosiness too...great work!

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  13. You look very pretty I your new sweater. Good job!!

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  14. I am inspired!! The "big project" always seemed too much, but I might just have to give it a go. A very nice garment you've created there!

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  15. This looks lovely! I've been thinking about doing this pattern too, but I'm not sure how the yarn translates. Did you use an 8 ply or a 10 ply?

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