I finally finished the Tattoo sweater that had me sleepless in October. I had The Mister take some photos of it today since it was the first day we've had for a few weeks when I could stand outside with a mere layer of stockinette between me and the elements. It was still kinda windy: my hair came unbraided a few times while we tried to figure out how to show the sweater.
It was inspired by the kind of tribal tattoos I admire but would never get. So it's a fantasy kind of thing for me, to sport a sleeve tattoo like this one:
or this one:
The faced hems are knit in the contrast color for a little surprise, and there's just enough waist shaping to make it easy and pretty to wear. And I like the little curlicue on the back. I could have placed it just a smidge higher I suppose.
The thing these particular photos don't do justice to is the way the yarn absolutely glows from within, being the signature dye style of Kim of The Woolen Rabbit from whom I bought the yarn at SOAR last fall. The superwash yarn is "Frolic" in the colors Butterscotch and Morrocan Spice. There's a closeup of the fabric in my flickr account here which shows the colors well.
I am considering writing it up even though intarsia is kind of a neglected skill these days. I don't expect a lot of people to try it, but I'd be happy to have the few brave souls as crazy as me go for it. Shoot me an email (bottom of the sidebar) if you want a note should I make it available.
For you Am Lit geeks: yes. That's a Moby Dick reference. Here's the wikipedia entry for Queequeg.
I love it. I would never get a tattoo but would love to embarrass my children and graandchildren with this.
Posted by: Paulette Bobroff | January 29, 2012 at 08:03 PM
I love this. L-o-v-e love.
Posted by: amy boogie | January 29, 2012 at 08:05 PM
I love it. Fantastic idea for the tribal tattoo motif.
Posted by: Jeanne B | January 29, 2012 at 08:22 PM
I love it. I'd probably want to substitute my own fantasy tattoo though...
Posted by: Nancy | January 29, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Brilliant!
Posted by: Katie K | January 29, 2012 at 09:11 PM
it's gorgeous! I also love it!
Posted by: SunJelly | January 29, 2012 at 09:40 PM
What a fabulous idea for a sweater! The yarn colors are lovely.
Posted by: kmkat | January 29, 2012 at 11:03 PM
I would love a note if you ever make it available.
Posted by: Jessi | January 29, 2012 at 11:04 PM
Julia....it's lovely!!! You certainly did Frolic justice. :-)
..sshhhh.....I think I may get a little bee tattoo ;-)
Posted by: Kim | January 29, 2012 at 11:21 PM
I think the sweater is beautiful and so unique. I would love to make it. However, I would like to make it with the "full-sleeve" tattoo for both sleeves. I love how you have different patterns on the sleeves, but I know I would want symmetry. Just like I would never make a crazy quilt. Would I be able to scan the graph and reverse it?
I really admire anyone who is so creative and brave enough to present it to the world. My hat's off to you!
Posted by: Robyn | January 30, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Absolutely! And thank so much for such a compliment.
I am sure there would be people who would want only arm bands instead. That's the cool thing about handknitting: it's custom made.
Posted by: julia fc | January 30, 2012 at 12:06 AM
Damn. Want. Why can't I knit FASTER?
Posted by: Lynn | January 30, 2012 at 07:47 AM
Beautiful! And I love the curlicue too.
Posted by: thea | January 30, 2012 at 07:59 AM
What a beautiful, beautiful piece of work. I've never seen anything like it. And ummmm - Woolen Rabbit yarn!
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport | January 30, 2012 at 08:12 AM
I love it!
Posted by: Carole | January 30, 2012 at 08:28 AM
This is the first thing I've seen that makes me want to learn intarsia. Lovely sweater!
Posted by: Leslie | January 30, 2012 at 08:59 AM
As a fellow Lit major, it never occurred to me that someone might NOT know the reference. I do adore this sweater - a true original idea, executed in a beautiful way.
Posted by: pumpkinmama | January 30, 2012 at 09:24 AM
COOL! I love the sleeve and the arm band especially. I actually have a tattoo where the curlicue is! =)
Posted by: Adrienne | January 30, 2012 at 09:28 AM
I am definitely in for the Queequeg pattern if you decide to write it up. The sweater is gorgeous and I can see it in an oatmeal or light taupe with ink colored designs. Agree about the reference to being shocked not to know who Queequeg is? Congratulations on a great realization of your vision.
Posted by: Linda M | January 30, 2012 at 09:54 AM
Your sweater has taken hold of my brain - here's a sacrilegious thought I just had - I might even do it in a cotton/acrylic blend so that I could get more wear out of it here in the deep south. I love wool but if I actually were to make this sweater I would want to wear it a lot!
Posted by: Linda M | January 30, 2012 at 11:40 AM
It's fantastic, Julia!
Posted by: Kathy | January 30, 2012 at 11:49 AM
This is beautiful, dude. I love it and would absolutely make one of my own.
Posted by: carolyn | January 30, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Another beauty, Julia! great idea and execution
Posted by: Judy | January 30, 2012 at 12:36 PM
I'd make one. Sell the pattern, please?
Posted by: Roz | January 30, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Love it! Love the colors!
I would make one................!
Send me a note when you do.
Posted by: Jean | January 30, 2012 at 04:01 PM