So my final yoke is DONE! I couldn’t resist showing you a peek while it is blocking on the dress form. This one has been so interesting both to design and to produce and I am really very pleased with the end result.
Just the finishing touches to go now – some ribbon to cover the facings and some buttons that will pick up the orange in the yoke.
I know some folk hate finishing but it is honestly one of my favourite parts of making a garment – I feel that taking time over the details is a way of really relishing the completion of one’s work.
I am reading your blog from start to finish and find it entertaining and instructive in equal measure – it’s certainly making me THINK about my knitting. I have just realised how differently I treat my “knitting” and my “finishing”. With my knitting – which I have now been doing for forty years – I can probably do it with my eyes closed and find it incredibly relaxing, it’s something I can do in front of the TV and don’t really think about it. With my “finishing”, I definitely need to have my wits about me and can’t do it in front of TV as i get too distracted. I always thought I enjoyed the knitting more than the finishing, but clearly I love both equally, just differently! I am definitely a back and forth knitter, while my sister, who is incredibly productive, is an “in the round” knitter – when she does any back and forth knitting, she gives it all to our Mum (in her 70s) to sew up! (I realise this is a really random response to your blog post, but the line about “finishing” has clearly fired me up and inspired me to respond!)
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Another request for sources of beautiful ribbon.
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I don’t hate finishing, though it does always feel like it takes as long as the rest of the project together. I DO almost always think of your beautiful captures of your neatly finished works and the handknits you’ve acquired and documented, however, which inspires me to take as much care with the finishing as I do with the starting.
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wonderful form and colors, it made my day, thanks
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… oh so long to wait… but it’ll be more than worth it!!
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Oh Kate, how beautiful…
I just wonder : did you chose the yoke colours with the ribbon in hand ? Or were you lucky enough to find the perfectly matching ribbon ?
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Beautiful!
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Looks lovely! Where do you get your lovely ribbons from Kate? I wish we could get such lovely ribbon here.
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It’s gorgeous.
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It’s stunning!
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The sweater looks wonderful and I love the ribbon and the buttons the will add flair to the finish. It is exciting!
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oh the colours! oh how beautiful
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It looks amazing – I love your colour choices.
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Hi Kate…just posted but them read the comments..I too would like to see how you sew on your ribbon, and also to know where to buy good ribbon too…pat j
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Hi Kate…what an amazing and brightly coloured yoke….I am so excited about your book and cant wait till I have it in my hand
You must be so excited too…bravo…cheers pat j
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Bruce needs a yoke…………hahaha I know what he would do with that !!!
Love the colours in this sweater, good choice. Waiting…………..
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I think Bruce needs a yoke! He would look particularly handsome, and would feel that the tremendous amount of moral support he provided during your process would then be recognized!
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A yoked dog-sweater! Perhaps that can be a stand-alone pattern, so that the book’s publication will not be delayed. Unless Kate has already planned one for the book?
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It looks lovely. I also love adding the finishing touches – particularly choosing the right ribbon.
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Looks marvelous. Really beautiful. (pardon me if this is 2nd comment, not sure where my 1st one went). Do you suggestions on where to buy quality, unique ribbon?
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Really lovely – and I love the buttons. Are they wood?
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Beautiful!
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Finishing is lovely when done on seamless garments. It’s the sewing up of many seams that I think I’m allergic to. Beautiful ribbon and buttons. Reminds me of the book “Poetry in Stitches” with the printed fabric linings and velvet trimmed borders.
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Fabulous! It is so so pretty. Do you have a recommendation on where to buy unique and quality ribbon? There are some online sites but the ribbon is printed and have themes of flags and ponies. I am not sure that is what I want on a handmade knitted sweater:)
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tutti frutti!
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Do you always block on the dressform? Does that dry out ok? Never thought about it but makes total sense…
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The yoke is stunning! The colours are magnificent, very vibrant! Oh dear…
I think I even recognise most of the colourways. Perhaps my J&S obsession has gotten slightly out of hand.
Looking forward to the book!
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oh you know just how to drool over your new designs. Longing for the book.
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Lovely. The bright colors are cheery. I hope my colorwork will be as even and gorgeous as yours some day.
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Thank you for the lovely journey along the way to here. It has been very tantalising and has reminded me of an Advent calendar, I’m as excited as I was when I was a child to see what’s next. This Cardigan is just lovely with a respectful nod to the past and a cheery smile to now. Would one have to be a very experienced knitter to be able to accomplish something as beautiful as this? Looks very complicated. Can anyone help with my question please?
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I would have never chosen those bright colors to go with the wool on the machine knit part of that sweater, and yet the whole thing just sings. Sometimes being wrong is such a delight.
Love the trims you have chosen as well.
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Lovely and the colours are stunning!
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You are inspiring. The finishes can be a savory part of the process, as you so aptly describe and photograph it. Beautiful.
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Lovely, lovely colours, beautiful work, thank you for sharing.
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I have recently developed a love for proper finishing. I used to hate it for being tedious and fiddly, but proper finishing really adds a little extra something.
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I have been waiting and not patiently to see more of this sweater. I love the ribbon and buttons. Where did you find such cute ribbon?
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Besides seeing all your beautiful designs in “Yokes”, I am interested to find out how you marry the two pieces together when the body & yoke is knitted separately. Eagerly awaiting the book with finger poised over the “pay” button.
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Its beautiful! I love the finishing part of knitting too. Cant wait for the book to be out!
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Exciting pattern which I cannot wait for the publication. I feel finishing garments as a zen moment. Calming and bringing a perfect ending to an item I enjoyed making. It is part of the whole exercise.
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Kate, thank you so much for taking us along as you write your book. I am excited about yoke sweaters now, and can’t wait to get your book.
Would you show us how you sew on your ribbon or are you saving that for your book?
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Beautiful love the colours! Another book for my birthday wish list :)
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What lovely colours – very cheery, just the thing for winter days.
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Very lovely.
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So beautiful! I can´t wait to order the book. Can I pre-order it? I’m guessing it will run out quickly
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that yoke looks very promising. I am so looking forward to the book. and to knitting one for myself.
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Wow what great colors…..I can hardly wait….I am going to start working on my colors…My Granddaughter will help out….what a gift
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Just lovely – and as for finishing, “Why spoil the ship ……”
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What sort of ribbon are you using to cover the facings and where do you get your ribbon from? I’m currently knitting my son’s Chrimbo jumper and it involves a steek so was planning on covering the steeked edges with ribbon. I fancy a jazzy ribbon rather than a boring plain one and yours definitely falls within the jazzy category!
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Exciting times :) Must get on with my Puffin sweater — once I’ve finished the Hello Kitty amigurumi toy I daftly agreed to make for my younger daughter!
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Congratulations! I’m so looking forward to reading your book!
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Beautiful! Where do you find those gorgeous trims?
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I cannot wait for this book of yokes! Funnily, I love the finishing touches when I sew, but with knitting, seaming drives me nuts. I really should put that zip into my lopapeysa hoodie… From last year.
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So bright and lively. I am going to love this book. You are such an inspiration.
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I forgot to ask: will there be any yokes for our blokes? ;)
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It is so pretty and I’m happy to see a more relaxed neckline. I am not a fan of collars that come up high and feel constricting. Trimmings are what give a garment we’ve worked so hard on that loving and unique and, in my case, at least, quirky touch. Your book will be my most-wished for birthday present.
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thanks! My aim was precisely to get a neckline that sat just above the collarbone and would not ride up the neck
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It looks beautiful. You’ve chosen really fresh and modern colours with a traditional style. I love it. I like finishing too. It lifts the home-made to the hand-crafted in my opinion.
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Looks gorgeous, like celebratory fireworks.
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Great colours! Will miss part of your presentation at Shetland Wool Week because of the late return from the Sheep to Shop day …. Will race in at the last minute no doubt! Ready to start my third Kate project once I buy the book. Looking forward to meeting.
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A rainbow yoke!!! It’s awesome! Such a happy cardigan! The ribbon is ace too. Happy wearing your rainbow yoke cardigan.
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I really enjoy all your posts. This yoke is absolutely beautiful.
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i love it !
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Gorgeous! yet another example of your amazing talents! Can’t wait for this book….. !
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Yippee!
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A very interesting post about yokes. I love your Harley green jumper and am looking forward to your new book being published.
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