the jarrett jacket

I can't believe it's actually done.

I started the Jarrett Jacket, designed by one of my favorite designers- Kim Hargreaves- during a summer trip to L.'s parents' house in upstate NY. After getting partially done with the back I ripped it out because it was too wide. Armed with smaller needles, I started this project again after settling into the new school year. With the correct gauge I quickly finished the back and front pieces. The sleeves felt like they took forever, and to add insult to injury, after completing them I had to rip back about 12 inches because they were too wide. I didn't do a bunch of the increases the second time and ended up cutting out an inch from both sides of the sleeve to make sure they fit at the shoulder.

While extensive, the finishing work on this jacket- button bands, a large collar, shoulder and elbow patches, and sewing on buttons- was also what made it so beautiful.  I am in love with with the 40s style vintage design. I opted for Knitpicks City Tweed over the Rowan tweed because it is way softer (made from 55% Merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca, 20% Donegal tweed) and way more affordable at $3.99 a skein.

My favorite touch to this jacket is the buttons. They came from Nicaragua, found by my sister E. on a recent trip. They are actually seeds, one of my new favorite button materials. Unfortunaely she only came home with the six of them so they are not available at worldknit & handspun, but I do have some other beautiful natural buttons for sale.

Now that Jarrett is done I have started and need to finish a super secret knitting project for a special someone's birthday next week. I just got the yarn yesterday at the Knitter's Cottage and will hopefully be able to post more details this weekend.