The Sweater I Would Actually Knit

I've been looking back at the little videos I took at h+h in Chicago, where I tried on several of the Bramble & Fleece designs. It's fun to see them again now that the yarn is coming to the shop, although I've changed my mind about one of them.

I thought I liked the olive pullover. Looking at the video, though, I can see that the ribbed hem hugs my hips more than I would like. The body is loose above it, and I would prefer the bottom to hang a little straighter. That's something I would want to change if I knitted it.

My favorite is the cream-colored cable top. I love those cables. But I would rather have it as a sweater with full sleeves. I can see myself getting much more wear out of it that way.

With that in mind, I went back through the Bramble & Fleece patterns, and I found Bracken. This is the sweater I would actually knit.

It's an all-over cabled sweater in Sheepsoft DK, worked from the top down. The sleeves are picked up from the body at the dropped shoulders. I like the neckline, and it has the kind of cable texture that caught my eye in the cream top. It's much closer to what I would want to wear.

I'd still think about the fit before I started. I would want enough room to be comfortable, but I wouldn't automatically choose the amount of ease shown in the photograph. And I'd want to check where the hem would fall on me. A length that looks wonderful on the model might hit me in exactly the wrong place.

This is why I like being able to try on samples. You can admire a sweater in a photograph and then put it on and realize that something about it doesn't suit you. Sometimes it's a small thing you can change. Sometimes you'd be happier with another pattern.

The cream top helped me figure out what I wanted. I liked the fabric and the cables. I just wanted sleeves. Once I knew that, it was easier to look through the designs and find something I was excited about knitting.

You can do the same thing when you're looking at a new yarn. The sample doesn't have to be the exact garment you want. It can show you something you love about the yarn, and you can take that into a different project.

There are so many beautiful patterns to choose from. If you love a yarn but don't love the design it's shown in, keep looking. You may find something that makes much more sense for you.

For me, that's Bracken. Before I cast on, I'll need to swatch it, especially the cables. The pattern gives a gauge for the cable stitch as well as the stockinette, and I want to see how that fabric behaves after washing before I settle on a size.

I'm glad I went back to look at the videos. I started out thinking about the designs I'd tried on, and now I have a sweater I'd actually like to make.

And I've just found out that we can have a Bramble & Fleece trunk show at the shop—with Bracken in it! I'm arranging for it to arrive in November, along with lots of other garments from the range. I'll share the dates once they're confirmed.

I'm especially excited to try on Bracken, and I want you to have that chance too. You can see the cables up close and find out how the sweater feels on you. If you've been wondering about the shape or how much ease you'd like, trying on the sample can help you decide.

You might find that the sweater you love in the photographs is just what you hoped it would be. Or another one might surprise you. That's what makes a trunk show so much fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of these.

If Bracken is already on your list, you can choose your Bracken sweater kit here. And if you'd rather try it on before you decide, keep an eye out for the November trunk show dates.

You can also see the full Bramble & Fleece pattern range here. I'd love to know which ones you'd like to try on.