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.
Great job! Love your color choices.
Posted by: april | January 30, 2012 at 06:59 PM
Really nice, Julia. Love the concept and the execution. I have some Woolen Rabbit from last summer's Fiber Revival that is waiting to be knit up once I finish up some deadline knitting. And I love the literary reference ;)
Posted by: Kathleen | January 30, 2012 at 08:03 PM
It is a really cool idea. I can see a whole new direction of knit design. There have been asymmetrical front shapes, why not asymmetrical designs?
Posted by: Helen | January 31, 2012 at 02:01 PM
Absolutely love the sweater! Especially the sleeve with the armband (love the whole armband tattoo look but could never pull off a real one). Please sell the pattern.
Posted by: allyson | January 31, 2012 at 03:05 PM
Beautiful, Julia!
I'd make it in a heartbeat, with intarsia tattoos and all!
Posted by: benedetta | January 31, 2012 at 09:42 PM
Oh... I'd love to knit a sweater like this. If you ever write up the pattern, count me in.
Posted by: Sharon T | February 01, 2012 at 03:46 PM
Love it. I'm in if you ever write up the pattern. It looks great on you.
Posted by: koru | February 01, 2012 at 06:41 PM
its simply lovely!!
Posted by: hila | February 02, 2012 at 01:54 PM
What a fantastic sweater!!! Simply gorgeous and I truly love it :)
Posted by: Tina | February 05, 2012 at 08:36 PM
My kind of tattoos. Super cool.
Posted by: Laura | February 07, 2012 at 12:16 PM
I, too, love it. Hope you do write it up.
Posted by: Kim | February 07, 2012 at 05:53 PM
I totally love this sweater! The tattoo theme is freaking fabulous! Maybe I should reserve my Madtosh vintage in thunderstorm and tart for this! Thanks!
Posted by: Daisy | February 19, 2012 at 09:26 AM
I love this sweater! Why would you think anyone wouldn't? Drop me a note if you make the pattern available. I might brave some intarsia for this one. Not my favorite thing, but it's doable.
Posted by: Becky | February 23, 2012 at 12:05 PM