Tomten jacket
When knitting for kids, it's probably a good idea to strike while the iron is hot. I had 9 balls of Noro Silk Garden (color #203) stashed a few years back to make something for H, the oldest. Of course, he's grown at a fantastic rate, and there wasn't enough yarn for such a large garment, so I knit something for L, who is ten. Right from the start there wasn't going to be enough for a hooded version of the Tomten jacket, but I still ran out of yarn!
For a good two months, this little jacket had three quarter sleeves and was bandless before I purchased a couple more skeins (which amazingly were of the same dyelot!), so I could finish it for CNY. I started with 168 sts on 4.5 mm needles (gauge of 4.75 sts per inch), and followed the ratios as in the pattern (Elizabeth Zimmermann's, found in The Opinionated Knitter or Knitting Without Tears).
I bound off a few stitches at the shoulder seam so that the neck wouldn't be too wide, did a shaped neckline and knit a few rows around the neck before picking up stitches from one side of the hem to the other side to make the band.
I probably could have finished this with just one extra ball of yarn, but as you can see, I like to match the stripes as best as I can (a bit obsessive, maybe?). Besides, there was enough yarn to make some little mitts. No leftover yarn, so it's all good. The jacket's already a little pilly from wear; not only does L wear this outdoors, but it serves as his bed jacket too. :-)
This is probably my twentieth project with stripey Noro yarn, and just when I thought I have exhausted my love for these yarns, I see this , some of which is coming my way. Can't wait to try it!
That's a good looking sweater and the striping matches up beautifully. I haven't made one larger than toddler size. It's nice to see a larger one that looks good.
Posted by: Joan Hamer | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 02:00 AM
Oh man, that first line reminds me of Brothers of Metal by Manowar. Strike while the iron is hot! Steel is strongest, so say we all! And if we all were not brothers of metal would we fall? NO!
Awesomest song ever.
Posted by: Eve | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 02:26 AM
Beautiful and nice fit! Hope he doesn't outgrow it too quickly.
Posted by: Chery | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 02:30 AM
Fabby jacket. I can see why it's getting so much wear. Love the Matsuri as well. :)
Posted by: Kai | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 03:25 AM
Love the jacket! You should send a photo to Grace in Beijing, she would love to see it and typepad is blocked these days....you two could be knitting twins - the matching perfection and the Noro love.
Posted by: Amy in Malaysia | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 06:37 AM
What a gorgeous jacket - I love the way the yarn made stripes and it fits perfectly!
Posted by: keri | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 09:44 AM
The jacket looks fantastic. I love the color of the Noro too. Luckily you have more than one child that can grow into too.
Posted by: sue | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 12:19 PM
the jacket suits the boy perfectly. the colour of Noro is always beautiful.
Posted by: handknit168 | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 02:55 PM
Love! Just when I thought I couldn't love the Tomten any more, you've proved me wrong! It's really, really great and I applaud you for matching stripes.
Posted by: mandy | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 08:07 PM
I am wishing that I used Noro of some such yarn for my Tomten, striping it myself was a bad idea. This Tomten is very nice!
Posted by: nova | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 09:06 PM
It's perfect! I would have never thought to use Noro for a boy's sweater, but that colorway is quite masculine :) If I had a sweater like that I'd never take it off either!
Posted by: reluctantmango | Friday, 29 February 2008 at 11:39 PM
this jacket fits perfectly to your son :) very beautifull
Posted by: patou | Saturday, 01 March 2008 at 05:33 AM
what a fantastic use of SG. lucky your son will wear hand knits. my son will only wear hand knit socks- no sweaters or hats or scarves.
Posted by: hpny knits | Saturday, 01 March 2008 at 02:44 PM
Ah, Noro never fails to delight. Nor does EZ.
Beautiful sweater. I love the colours.
Posted by: Nicole | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 01:43 AM
your attention to detail ( i.e. stripes ) is worth it...
what a terrific sweater, so glad that he likes it !!
Posted by: barbara | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 12:03 PM
Its fantastic - masculine, yet Noro(ish). EZ was a genius, and you have interpreted herdesign brilliantly.
Posted by: Ingrid | Sunday, 02 March 2008 at 10:07 PM
Oh my! Just lovely! And howo in the world did you match the stripes? AMazing.
Posted by: zoe | Tuesday, 04 March 2008 at 12:18 AM
Both the jacket and vest look great on your boys! I can tell both of them had grown quite a lot. Good job on matching the stripes and the colors are suitable for boys as well.
Posted by: Mimi | Wednesday, 05 March 2008 at 08:40 AM
that IS my favorite colorway of silk garden! i have a 'butterfly' sweater in the same colorway. i *heart* silk garden ... i love how it drapes and softens after washing .... and "yay" for no leftovers!
Posted by: gray la gran | Wednesday, 05 March 2008 at 08:54 AM
This looks great,Joy!
Posted by: Siow Chin | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 10:53 PM
You did an awesome job. I love the stripe colors and symmetry.
Posted by: mindy | Friday, 07 March 2008 at 09:12 PM