Since I am about to go on and on about how much I love this sweater (and since I have another PetiteKnit FO coming up soon!) I think it's necessary that I address the lack of size inclusivity included in the pattern. The pattern currently goes up to a finished bust measurement of about 48" and recommends that you allow for 3.5-6" of positive ease, meaning that it really only accommodates an actual bust size of up to 45", which isn't very inclusive. In the pattern comments on Ravelry PetiteKnit has said that she is working on adding more sizes, which is great. As a designer myself whose earlier work wasn't particularly size inclusive purely due to ignorance on my part, I can sympathize. I've added expanded sizing to a bunch of my older patterns and am working on updating the rest. I don't blame her for having released a pattern in 2016 with limited sizing, and I'm happy to see her expanding her range and I hope that she (and the rest of us) continue to do so going forward.
Pattern: No Frills Sweater by PetiteKnit
Yarn: TFA PureWash Fingering in Spruce held with Debbie Bliss Party Angel in Black.
Ravelry Project page here.
So, I’m pretty slow to hop on a bandwagon. I mean, if I even realize that there is a bandwagon to hop on I generally avoid it. This sweater pattern has been around since the end of 2016 and it has over 3000 projects on Ravelry! Last year it felt like everyone and their sister was knitting a No Frills and frankly, I get it. It’s because it’s perfect. The proportions are just right, it’s hip and fashion forward yet it’s so simple and wearable. This sweater is the sweater that feels like it’s always been there, sitting in your closet like an old friend. It feels timeless, effortless and chic and like something that I will wear forever. I’m a fan.
PetiteKnit is a Danish designer who I think is part of the reason why mohair is having such a big moment right now. Many of her designs feature a strand of mohair held with a strand of something else and the knitting community (myself included) just can’t get enough of the gorgeous halo that it lends. I wrote about the magic of mohair in my Love Note blog post and the same magical colour transformation effect is in play with today’s sweater. I held a strand of our PureWash Fingering in a dark green (Spruce) with a strand of sparkly black mohair and the combo is so pretty. If you ever come across sparkly black mohair I’d recommend scooping it up because it really steps up the bejewelled factor of any jewel tone you hold with it. I’m really happy with this darkest forest green shade. I have zero green in my wardrobe so now I finally have something to wear on St-Patrick’s day. Phew!
I think that other than the colour/fabric, my favourite thing about this sweater is the slouchy, cozy yet never frumpy fit. It’s the roomy sleeves and lower underarms. It’s a silhouette that I find so flattering. Don’t be afraid to size up a bit with this sweater. You want that drape! I’m wearing a size small with about 8.5” of positive ease at the bust. And because you know that I ALWAYS do a front tuck with my sweaters, this one is no exception and it handles the front tuck like a boss!
I had a lot of fun with these photos. As always we were pressed for time. I was heading out for the afternoon and really wanted to take advantage of the fact that I was dressed and put together. I was wearing a skirt for crying out loud! The sun was in a weird spot but we decided to just go for it. On the camera I thought that these photos were a wash but then when I uploaded them and did a bit of tweaking in photoshop I was thrilled to discover that they had this really cool sun-flare action happening! Taking photos in the middle of the day with harsh sun is not usually a good idea, but sometimes the stars align and your bad idea gives you surprising results. I think the fates were just trying to reward me for getting out of my jeans and putting on a skirt. I’ll take it! And how fun is this skirt BTW? It’s a gorgeous black/white/neon coral tweed. I mean, who knew that even existed!? I found it at a consignment shop in Ottawa and I love it. I’m seriously considering hemming it to be more of a mini skirt rather than a pencil skirt (there are just so few occasions in my life where I feel that a pencil skirt is appropriate and I find mini skirts much more flattering/easy to wear on my frame). Fun fact, I’m wearing this great skirt all wrong in these pics! I wore it out like this all day and then went to my parents for supper and my mom took one look at me and told me that my skirt was on sideways (of course a mom would notice!) I don’t think it looks crazy like this but apparently the slit in a pencil skirt is supposed to be in the back, not the side. Oops!
That last photo is completely useless other than to prove that for once I was actually wearing shoes. :)