Nora Sweater Knitted by Yelena Malcolm Dasher

IMG_4297_medium2I was delighted that Yelena Malcolm Dasher wanted to take part in yet another of my test knits, since all her project photos are equally stunning. Just take a look at these photos as well as her project page on Ravelry, where she is ymalcolm. Yelena wanted a rustic yarn for her Nora Sweater, and discovered the Masgot Fine a natural colored French wool by Polo & Co, see their yarn shop at Etsy. She describes the yarn as “a delight – very rustic, but sturdy and not too hard on the hands.” Using a 3.25 mm/US 3, Yelena made size S and chose the set-in sleeve option instead of the puffed sleeve option the sample has, see my blogpost: Photo Shoot Pics Part Four Nora Sweater. The only modification she did was to knit the sleeves top down, instead of bottom-up as described. The pattern was revised during the test knitting, thanks to test knitter Tanja Boukal, aka Tanja7301, who reported that the shawl neck pulled the sweater outwards and suggested narrowing the shoulders together with fewer short rows on the collar, which was done with the help from my tech editor Heather Zoppetti of Stitch Sprouts. I love Yelena’s notes: “Another incredible design from Linda. I love knitting her designs because they are challenging and inventive and I always seem to learn something new or combine techniques in a new way and this pattern was no different”. Here are only two of the brilliant photos of her Distaff, named after the tool used in spinning. I love how Yelena styled her Nora Sweater, and share her love of shoes, as you probably know by now. Do read her blog called Le Pull Juste/The Right Sweater, here: lepulljuste. Thank you so much Yelena!

IMG_4286_medium2The Norwegian pattern was printed in the special issue of Familiens Strikkebok published in March, while the English pattern is nearly ready for my Ravelry Store.

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Cablewing Sweater by Yelena Malcolm Dasher

IMG_3675_medium2I was thrilled to have Yelena Malcolm Dasher, aka ymalcolm on Ravelry, as a test knitter for my Cablewing Sweater, see projects/ymalcolm. She is a very popular test knitter because of her knitting skills, her sharp mind, photography and amazing knitting speed, just to mention a few of her skills. Yelena chose the marvelous LEDK (short for limited edition double knit) by Madeline Tosh in a shade called Astrid Grey and named her project Courchevel after the ski resort. Her stunning pictures attracted other test knitters to sign up to my delight. Like me, she found the stitch pattern addictive. Yelena had to adjust the row gauge to fit the pattern and chose to not fold the neckline down. Thank you, Yelena! The pattern has been released in English and Norwegian, where it first was printed in the magazine Familien, in my Ravelry Store.

IMG_3663_medium2I was very impressed with the matching nail varnish, a happy co-incidence apparently. Yelena has more photos on her project page on Ravelry. More results of brilliant test knitting will come soon.

IMG_3668_medium2A photograph from the back. Yelena was not daunted in any way by my pattern and has taken part in more of my test knits, I am pleased to say! Here is my introduction to the sweater: “Cablewings surrounded by lace gives this sweater a flowery expression. The A- line shape with lace along each side, paired with the double round neckband, is a flattering on many bodies. The pullover is knitted in the round to the armhole in a classic cream colored pure wool with bounce, Embla from Hifa. A large matching wrap gives the sweater a regal look and it is warm, practical, but also decorative”.

Cable Wing COVERIt is available in sizes S to XXL, and knitted using a 4 mm/US 6, for more information see the pattern page on Ravelry.

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