Geisha Girl

Click photo for a close-up view

Title: Pattern 11 Woman's Pullover
Author: Schoeller + Stahl, Winter 2002/2003
Yarn: Schoeller Esslinger Geisha in Nile Blue
Fibre Content: 80% acrylic, 20% mohair
Gauge: 14 sts and 21 rows/4" on 6.0 mm Addi Turbos

Notes

I finished this pullover back in the spring, but only started wearing it in October. I find the sweater warm without being too bulky, and very comfortable to wear.

Loved

• Teal Colour: Especially with my newly-red hair. [Sorry for the headless photo, but the expression on my face was too dorky for public viewing.]
• Speed: At such a large gauge, the pieces knit up quickly. And since I'd already done a trial run on this pattern for my sister, I knew the measurements exactly and didn't have to rip or alter anything.
• Price: $12.70. Gotta love Elann.

Did Not Love

• Neck Bind-off: I'm reaching here, but the first time around I had a hard time finding a bind-off for the neck that made it loose enough to fit over one's head. I ended up with a variation of a picot bind-off: Cast on one stitch using cable cast on, bind off one stitch using traditional bind off, repeat. Essentially you're casting on one stitch for every existing stitch on the needles. Nancy Wiseman's The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques was very helpful in figuring this out.

Mo' Hair

Lookee here, I'm glad to see that my goddaughter Rachel (proud owner of the Heirloom Aran) is getting with the times and publishing her own blog--with a little help from Mom and Dad. Rachel is already demonstrating discriminating taste in films (go Kate Winslet!) and beginning her literary education. Rachel, honey, when you finish the Bryson, might I recommend Ann Patchett? She's one of my favourites.

Now, here's my current mindless-meeting project: a mohair turtleneck sweater.

I'm knitting this with Schoeller Esslinger Geisha in Nile Blue, a mohair/acrylic blend purchased from Elann for a song. Seriously, four balls for $12.70 makes a whole sweater.

How do I know?

Because I've already made one!

Here you see the first version, which I refer to as Joey's Mohair, modelled by its owner, my beautiful sister. Joanna provided the original inspiration for this project: she asked for a mohair turtleneck sweater, so I found the Geisha yarn and the Schoeller Esslinger pattern that matched what she envisioned. She picked Tiffany Rose pink, approved my swatch and provided her measurements, and we were both very happy with the result.

So when another batch of Geisha surfaced at Elann, I scooped some up in the teal colour so I could have my own.

Geisha knits up quickly on 6.0 mm needles, so I've already finished the back piece. I like to have an easy, portable project, and I've brought this one with me to a cohousing meeting and a hockey game.

Some yarn and pattern details:

The mohair turtleneck pattern is #11 from Schoeller+Stahl Fall/Winter 2002/2003. I ordered the pattern book from Elann back in January 2004, but they don't seem to have it anymore.

As for the Geisha, Elann has had two lots (January 2004 and September 2004) that sold out pretty quickly. I don't know whether they'll be stocking it again. My guess is that it has been discontinued, since a quick Google Search didn't turn up anyone else selling it except eBay. I'm sure you could substitute another mohair that knits to a similar gauge: the ball band gives 26 sts x 18 rows =4" with 3.5-4.5 mm needles, and the pattern calls for 13 sts x 21 rows = 4" with 5.5 mm needles.