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Knitting for a capsule wardrobe



I used custom-dyed yarn based on my fall capsule wardrobe to knit a go-with-everything sweater


The excruciating wait for sweater weather is over! As a sweater-knitting machine of Nordic origins nearing pre-menopause, I could not be happier to see the mercury drop below 15. I can finally adorn the most unique project I have ever worked on: a turtleneck jumper designed to go with EVERYTHING in my fall capsule wardrobe.


A year ago or so, I came up to my trusted yarn colourist with an idea (aka, assignment):

"I'll send you photos of my fall capsule wardrobe (roughly 15 items). I want to knit a turtleneck jumper that will go with every single item in it. Could you create a unique colorway for that garment? You have carte blanche. A little speckling would be nice."


"Challenge accepted," said my talented (and dare I say, ballsy) yarn colourist!


Flax sweater, slightly altered
Flax sweater, slightly altered

First, the pattern


For this one-of-a-kind project, I chose a classic among the classics: Tin Can Knits' Flax, a unisex top-down crew-neck raglan jumper with a garter stitch panel on each sleeve. If you are about to knit your very first sweater, this gem is a fantastic choice. Since I had already knitted 5 of these babies in the past (you're welcome, husband, niece, nephew, and godson!), I decided to add a slim garter stitch panel on each side of the body, as well as a ribbed turtleneck, in order to showcase the colourway under a fall jacket. The pattern calls for heavy worsted yarn, and I picked super wash merino.



Capsule wardrobe items
Capsule wardrobe items

Second, the fall capsule wardrobe


I selected 15 "ride or die" items that support my hectic fall schedule. My occupation requires me to be physically present at work every day and to look smart, polished, and professional at all times. Here are the items I submitted to my yarn colourist:


Bags

Footwear

Jackets

Skirts

Pants

Vintage taupe hobo bag

Dark brown Chelsea boots

Dark olive field jacket

Vintage navy wool mini skirt

Dark wash straight-legged jeans

Navy doctor satchel

Navy Chelsea boots

Navy trench

Navy pleated midi skirt

Grey straight-legged jeans

Gray commuting backpack

Chocolate brown riding boots

Navy puffer vest

Pink pleated midi skirt

Brown wool pleated slacks


Third, the curveball


 Light Summer Colour Palette
Light Summer Colour Palette

Of course, there had to be something else to consider. I should mention that I am also a trained Personal Colour Analyst and, therefore, a firm believer in the importance of choosing colours that enhance one's natural beauty instead of working against it. In addition to "go" with all the items in my fall capsule wardrobe, the colour way created should also complement my "Light Summer" colouring. Of course, I provided my yarn colourist with my seasonal palette booklet for reference.



Flax Sweater in progress
Flax Sweater in progress

The result


When I first saw the colour way, I was completely blown away. I knew it would make a stunning garment. Neutral enough to pair with navy, brown, grey, and taupe, yet not a neutral itself, the colour way features the most delicate nuances of lavender, smoke, indigo, blush, and cocoa. A light sprinkle of ink blue and chocolate speckles adds even more depth and interest. I used the most speckled skeins for the upper part of the garment.



In conclusion


Would I repeat the experience again: absolutely. Next time, however, I would most likely pick a cotton-merino blend or any other yarn suitable for a summer garment. Stay tuned.


Should you wish to create a custom colour way of your very own, please reach out here!

Pleated navy midi skirt, ankle booties
Pleated navy midi skirt and ankle booties


3 commenti

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Ospite
13 dic 2023

Oh my goodness, I love this sweater! I have done numerous Flax sweaters for others but not for myself because I prefer turtlenecks. Can you give more instructions on the neck depth and on the side garter panels? And I'm not entirely sure what a 'heavy worsted' is, or why you say that next time you would do a cotton-merino blend.

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Melanie
14 dic 2023
Risposta a

Hi Cheryl,

Thank you for your comment and I will reach out to the author of this post (it was a guest post) for more information on her alterations. I'll get back to you by email very shortly!

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