Felix Sweater: A Cozy New Knit Project

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Young Folk Knits. If you’re new here, I’m Kaci, and this little corner of the internet is where I share all about my love for fiber arts. Whether it’s knitting, sewing, or spinning, you’ll find it all here, along with a sprinkle of life on our small farm in Arkansas. Sometimes we talk bees, gardens, chickens, goats, and who knows what else!

The Felix Pullover Journey Begins

Today, I’m excited to share my latest knitting project: the Felix Pullover. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felix-pullover Recently, Knitting Fever generously sent me some yarn and needles for a project, and I knew this was the perfect opportunity to cast on a new sweater. https://knittingfever.com.

The yarn I’m using is Madara, a worsted/Aran weight singles yarn made of 60% wool, 30% silk, and 10% alpaca. It’s got these gorgeous tweedy bits that give the fabric a lovely texture and depth. The color I’m working with is a lilacy purple with fun splashes of orangey-reds and blues. I’ve knit a couple of sweaters with this base before, and I just love how it knits up, especially at a loose, open gauge. It gives the fabric a beautiful drape, which is exactly what I’m aiming for with this pullover.

Deciding on the Pattern

When it came to choosing a pattern, I was torn between the Felix Pullover and the Doppio Sweater. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/doppio-sweater

Both are knit at a pretty large gauge (hello, US 10 needles!). I even put up a poll on Instagram to help me decide. While the Doppio Sweater won the poll, I decided to save that for later when some of my knitting friends start theirs in September. For now, I’m diving into the Felix Pullover.

The Felix Pullover features simple yet elegant Raglan shaping with lace details that serve as the increases. I’ve had this pattern in my stash for years, and I’m thrilled to finally knit it up.

Getting Started

July 29, 2024

I cast on using a tubular cast on, which is my favorite method. It’s not only faster for me than a long-tail cast-on, but it also gives the edges a neat, polished look, especially in a thicker yarn like this. I’m knitting the size four, though the pattern is flexible enough that I can easily adjust the size by trying it on as I go. I’m a loose knitter and, confession time, I didn’t swatch! I know, I know, but with a large gauge, I’m just diving in and considering the project itself as my gauge swatch.

Knitting Progress

So far, I’m loving how quickly this is knitting up. The fabric is light, airy, and full of character with those tweedy bits shining through. I’ve just about finished the yoke and am getting ready to split for the sleeves. The fit is looking good, though I might have gone down a size if I were to knit it again.

To complement the sweater, I decided to sew a little something: a Hinterland Dress out of Merchant & Mills linen. https://sewliberated.com/products/hinterland-dress-pdf-sewing-pattern

The stripes in the linen fabric really pick up the tweedy colors in the yarn, and I think they’ll pair beautifully together, especially in those transitional days between summer and fall.

Final Thoughts on the Felix Sweater

August 19, 2024

After a few weeks of knitting (and some sewing), I’m happy to report that the Felix Pullover is finished, and I’m absolutely in love with it. The fit is cozy without being too snug, and the fabric drapes beautifully. It’s a perfect layering piece for fall, though I’ll probably wear it over a shirt in the winter since it’s knit at such a loose gauge.

I’m especially pleased with how the tubular cast-on and bind-off turned out. In this thicker yarn, these techniques really shine and add a professional finish to the sweater. https://www.ravelry.com/projects/YoungFolkKnits/felix-cardigan-2

Video

A Fun Giveaway!

Since Knitting Fever was kind enough to send me more yarn than I needed, I have an extra skein of this beautiful Madara yarn in color 23. I’d love to pass it along to one of you! Just leave a comment on the YouTube video if you’d like to enter the giveaway, and I’ll pick a winner soon. The giveaway is open internationally, as long as shipping is feasible.

That’s all for now. I hope you enjoyed following along with my Felix Pullover journey. If you’re interested in more knitting adventures, don’t forget to subscribe. Until next time, happy knitting!