Thursday, May 10, 2007

Guess What

Guess what this is.



If you guessed a Bohus sweater kit, you must have been there last week.
But indeed, it is the infamous Bohus sweater that the Yarn Harlot knit. (Go read about the history of it. It's very interesting, but I'm not going to repeat it here.) At first, I thought she was really nuts. Why would you knit such a sweater with such tiny needles? It seemed designed to fry your brain. Such thin yarn! Such little needles (US 1.5)! This was too much, even for her. And then I went to go see her talk, and she was wearing it.
Oh my god.
It is beautiful. The color work looks like a halo had somehow forgotten where it's supposed to go and taken up residence at the neck. I pet the sweater. It was so soft, I thought my hand might pass right through it. It was divine. Some day, I thought, I could aspire to this.
And then she scared us. The woman who makes all these wonderful, historically accurate sweater kits is old, and has no apprentice. These are a limited time item! I must have it! Now!
As it turns out, the price is quite reasonable and shipping is quite fast. It costs about what you would expect a hand knit sweater kit to cost, and I got in about a week and a half. I want to start it instantly, but I'm holding back.
Although the Yarn Harlot's sweater is lovely for her, it is definitely not my colorway. Luckily, there is the beautiful Forest Darkness option (scroll all the way down).
Here are the instructions.

Just kidding. They all come with English translations too. But I assure you, that does not make it significantly easier. This is a hard core pattern, one that should have a giant red sign flashing "Not for Beginners" on the cover. This is going to be a challenge.

Oh, but it's so going to be worth it.

Look at those colors. If only you could feel the wonderfully soft wool/angora yarn.
I'm trying to convince myself to finish some of the other project I've got going (although one will definitely be done this weekend, wink, wink) before I start this. I make no promises.


I think I'm going to make the cardigan version, as I am far more of a cardigan sort of person, and it makes it useful as a light jacket.
Now I have to debate the same questions the Yarn Harlot did - to be historically accurate or not. The lovely lady who compiles the kits suggests that it would be possible to steek the cardigan, but I don't know if I'm that brave anyway.

8 comments:

Jamisyn said...

Good luck!! I want one too, but I have so many projects and so much yarn I do not think it would be wise to start yet another sweater, or even have the yarn for it laying around the house. I love your choice in color, though.

Jen said...

Oh that is going to be beautiful! I have been thinking about one as well (esp. after seeing the Yarn Harlot), but I am a little scared. :)

Anonymous said...

i'm sure it will be awesome - good luck! maybe when i get good enough there will still be some kits around! :)

Anonymous said...

Considering I've only been knitting for 4 months (as of tomorrow) I think I'm safe - The yarn is gorgeous - I got to "pet" it last Sunday!!! Can't wait to see you knitting this and its progress and stories!

Carrie Penny said...

It is going to be much prettier than my three armed sweater, here is the pattern... http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/50946.html

Only, mine on doesn't look anything like that.

Romi said...

It is *exquisite*! I can't wait to see. :)

Anonymous said...

omg! I just ordered that kit before going to Illinois. It should be in the mail any day now. You have excellent taste in patterns! I can not wait to feel the yarn.

Amanda said...

Wow! I can't wait to see this when it's done. I know your not a works in progress kinda blogger, but you HAVE to take pictures periodically for us. Pretty please? With sugar on top?