What better day to share the start of a new endeavor then on Wednesday, the day of the week when makers share their work in progress. Today I am starting a new knitting project and a new blog series!
Like many knitters Ive got lots on the needles but a new project has got my fingers tingling. Im going to be starting the Elizabeth Zimmerman Aran cardigan pattern, originally from her newsletter, you can find this, more patterns, and lots of knitting history in The Opinionated Knitter: Elizabeth Zimmermann Newsletters 1958-1968.
“Remember you are the boss of your knitting, so follow your own desires.” (The Opinionated Knitter p.66)
I will be altering the pattern just as Zimmerman would have wanted with the help of the Knitted Cable Sourcebook by Norah Gaughan’s and Traditional Island Knitting by Pam Dawson. A book review of these and more fisherman inspired textiles is on its way.
If you couldn’t tell Im really feeling the cables! I am currently inspired by my ocean side living and have been reading about and looking at lots of fisherman knits. Not all fisherman knits are cable based but after doing so much colorwork over the past couple of years I feel that cables are a fun and new challenge. Ive done cables before and even designed an open cable for a pair of knit leggings but know there is so much more to explore. Im particularly drawn to all over cable patterns and the sweater construction techniques used to achieve such a look.
I’ll be knitting up this Zimmerman pattern with an unwashed 4ply Aran from Green Mountain Spinnery. I wanted a yarn that would be similar to what Zimmerman would have knit with. Green Mountain Spinnery is in my greater region, less than a 4 hour drive, and make gorgeous hardy yarns perfect for a project like this. As stated by Zimmerman “Traditional Arans are always knitted in unbleached Cream Wool.” So of course I was looking for an undyed 4ply, in a large quantity and I preferably wanted it unbleached. Because Im on their mailing list I saw a sale that was happening back in January and snatched up 1920 yards of this gorgeous yarn for a phenomenal price. I haven’t knit it up yet but I am already in love and know that this yarn is going to give some gorgeous stitch definition!
This cardigan will be the first in a series of projects I plan to do with cables. And I will be designing and releasing my own cable patterned sweater based on my research. I’ll also be recording my process for designing through blog posts and Instagram. So keep your eyes out and sign up for my monthly newsletter to stay up to date on my designing and my general creative endeavors.
Until next week,
– Keep Creating
Kathryn D'Agostino 
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