I finished my COCOKNITS MABEL KAL (knitalong) and I’m reporting back on my progress! All my project details, videos, & etc are right here on our website.
Just to recap, I made the smallest size (which I talk about in the video), and I used Drops Air (colour 34) & Drops Kid-Silk (colour 41) on 6.5mm/US10.5 needles.
Since the last update, I knit the body and the sleeves. I followed the pattern instructions for the sleeves and did the grafted underarm, because I figured maybe I’d learn something new. What I learned was that I still prefer a picked-up underarm, and that I’m not into armpit grafting (that sounds gross, but ‘m sticking with it). Here’s a really good video from someone more proficient than me on how to pick up the underarm stitches when you’re ready to pick-up and knit your sleeves. (That said, I left a note on the Cocoknits youtube video and they very kindly got back to me saying that Julie’s Toni KAL playlist shows her cleaning up the outside edges. …. still, too many hoops for me to jump through).
I also knit the body a bit longer because the size was smaller than I expected, and I didn’t bother picking up for the neckline, when I tried it on it seemed to be just right, so I stuck with it. FYI I steam blocked it with a hand steamer… quick & easy!
Conclusions
Overall, it was a satisfying knit! I’m nearing the end of my first day wearing it and it’s cozy, comfortable, pretty, and it hasn’t been itching me. I learned a new technique, and I would definitely make another sweater from Cocoknits. I’m still nodling it aroun, but I think my next might be Emma Version A from the Cocoknits Sweater Workshop book (I think I figured out that I can get the right tension with Quince & Co Kestrel and 6.5mm/US10.5 needles, but I’m smacking my head because of course I didn’t make any notes for myself in my Ravelry account so I have to go back and double check that. And I need to order more of the yarn too!
P.S.
In the video I mention perfectionism and the Knitsana workshop
Mabel
Mabel is a loose-fitting, comfortable pullover that fits the bill. She is also infinitely adaptable … try knitting the neck ribbing into a cowl or extra long fold-over turtleneck. Add cables, split the hem, knit it knee length, add stripes … the sky’s the limit. It is written in 10 sizes from 36 to 72” bust, so you have options for fit, as well!
This sweater is worked using the Cocoknits Method, a commonsense system for knitting seamless, tailored sweaters from the top down. The Cocoknits Method is explained in detail in Cocoknits Sweater Workshop by Julie Weisenberger.
Size
- Small (Medium, Large, 1X)(2X, 3X, 4X)(5X, 6X, 7X)
- Finished Bust: 36 (40, 44, 48)(52, 56, 60)(64, 68, 72)”/ 91.5 (104.5, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152.5)(162.5, 172.5, 183) cm
- Finished Length: 15.5 (17.5, 19, 20)(21, 21.5, 22.5)(23.25, 24, 25)”/ 39.5 (44.5, 48.5, 51)(53.5, 54.5, 57.5)(59, 61, 63.5) cm
Materials
- Drops Air: 4(4, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6) (7, 7, 8) balls
- Drops Kid-Silk: 3(3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 6) balls OR Drops Brushed Alpaca & Silk 4(4, 5, 5) (6, 6, 7) (7, 8, 8) balls
- 6.5mm/US10.5 – 24″ to 32″ circular needles (or size for tension)
- 6.5mm/US10.5 DPN or long circulars for magic loop (for sleeves)
- 5.5mm/US9 DPN or long circulars for magic loop (for sleeve ribbing)
- 5.5mm/US9-16″ circular (for neck ribbing)
- 6 stitch markers (different colours)
- Row counter (optional)
- Stitch holders or scrap yarn
- Pattern
