And the Winner Is

I finally got the three zippers I ordered last weekend and I decided on using the aluminum zipper. I did try to machine sew the zipper in, but it stretched out the knit placket too much, so I had to rip it out and sew it in by hand. I also sewed in some snaps to hold the placket down. I made the smallest size, but it's still roomy enough to add a couple of layers underneath. The Schulana Merino was a bit aplitty to knit with at times, but the finished fabric is dense and very soft. I'm really happy with how this jacket turned out!

Zipperless

I spent yesterday morning knitting on a smaller placket to the left front, though the directions didn't call for one. Even though the zipper would be sewn to that unfinished edge, I thought it would be neater with an actual placket, or band, there. I had a bunch of separating zippers in my stash that I thought I could use, but all of them were too short. So I ordered three different zippers from ZipperStop: aluminum, antique brass, and molded plastic. I'll have to decide which one looks best once they arrive in the mail.

Weekend Knitting

I finished knitting the second sleeve of the sweater tonight. All I have left to do is knit the garter stitch flap on the right front. Interestingly enough, the left front isn't finished in any way. I may just knit on a few rows of garter stitch just so I can sew the zipper to a flat edge. This jacket will be a perfect layering piece for the cold weather that's hitting Portland right now.

Knit On

I've got a bunch of stockinette stitch left to do for the body of the jacket before I can move on to the sleeves. Hopefully, it won't take too long. It's perfect knitting for watching movies or Glee.

Black Collar

I swatched with the Schulana Merino and met gauge with the recommended size six needles. This sweater is knit in one piece from the top down. Here's the start of the collar with the pink markers marking the raglan sleeve increases.

I Got a Package

A crazy storm seems to have landed into town, so the evening has been windy and rainy. I found a waterlogged box on my porch when I got home and it was the Schulana Merino Superlight for the New Motorbike Jacket that is next on my project list. It looks like I'll have some great knitting weather this weekend.

Getting My Money's Worth

I was trying to decide what my next knitting project would be when I started browsing through the fall issue of Knitscene again. Somehow I found a jacket I wanted to make that I hadn't seen all the other times I had looked at the magazine. I love the styling of this Motorbike Jacket with the asymmetrical closure and hidden zipper. The pattern calls for Schulana Merino Superlight yarn, which is like knitted I-cord and creates a nice dense fabric. I think I've found an online retailer that carries the yarn too.