Hemping along...

Spring has officially arrived, although, it feels as though it has been here for a while.

The bluebonnets (and Jurassic weeds) are everywhere, as is Remy:


Woolens are taking a back seat as I search for warm clime wear, more appropriate to the Hades-like heat of South Texas that will be visited upon us from now until late October.

Always on the hunt for something new, I have decided to embrace all that is linen and hemp, although, I am still mightily wary of cotton.

My friends, being my very dear knitterly friends, have helped me to decide that while there is a moratorium on yarn buying, yarn relates most directly to wool.  So, there will be no "wool" buying this 2012. And, no, we have already established Wollmeise is the one exception to the wool moratorium.

Linen, flax, hemp, and cotton are fibers in the plant sense, not wool.

Thus, we have effectively carved yet another exception to the blanket wool moratorium.

It works, no?

In the Spring-Summer edition of Knitty, a hemp cardigan captured my attention and desire.  It is called Flaming June:


In my mind, it is simply the perfect throw over a tank and jeans item that my wardrobe lacks.

Because hemp is something new to me, I decided to actually use the yarn called for in the pattern, rather than substitute.

Here is what I came up with, Midnight Blue and Raspberry:


As soon as it arrived, I swatched the blue.  My first impression was a bit guarded because it felt like I was knitting with twine; however, after throwing the generous sized swatch into the wash with my jeans, it softened greatly, and I was hooked.

Typically a tight knitter, I was surprised to find I had to go down a needle size to get gauge.  Swatches do not lie; however, said swatch has disappeared, and in the time I have spent looking for it, I could have knit a pair of sleeves...long sleeves.

The knitting is coming along quite well, in fact, despite some errata in the pattern.  Thank goodness some overly eager knitters launched into the pattern before I did!

Here is my progress:


My hands have adjusted to the twine, and after the first day's rawness, it has been fine.  The fabric has a wonderful airy drape to it.  I know the hemp will soften greatly with each wash and wear like iron, so I am besotted with this project.

Alone, the raspberry looked more fuchsia, but next to the blue, it is looking a lot more red.  Not exactly what I had in mind, but it is not a deal killer for me.

This project now has me lusting for some Euroflax in Black and Pewter to make another:


Anyone else in summer knitting mode?

Comments

Caltechgirl said…
LOVE that black and pewter!
Feisty said…
Seriously, Caltech!

I was unsure about the hemp to begin with, so I used the allhemp3 called for in the pattern, instead of the more expensive Euroflax...

LOVE the black and pewter. I don't normally make two of anything, but...

; )
LauraB said…
I concur on the euroflax hankerin'. And there are so many good combos for that allhemp3 that I am having a hard time deciding.

I cannot believe that swatch is still AWOL.
Lolly said…
Pretty picture of Remy! We just got a new German Shepherd puppy. I'm taking a day off to bond. :)

I'll be anxious to know what you think of those yarns.
Feisty said…
Hey Lolly!

Brad's new yellow lab puppy, Rita, is coming home on Tuesday!!

Sweet One would love to have a white shepherd.

Have a great day!
Lolly said…
Rita? Is there a story behind that name?

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