Grace Knitting Pattern Review
I thought I would jump on here to share my newly finished sweater using a beautiful pattern by Bayron Handmade. This was a very fun and fairly easy project. I want to encourage knitters, even beginner ones, to make a Grace for their own wardrobe. The pattern is gorgeous and you wont be disappointed.
The pattern
I started this project in the middle of knitting a pair of socks (not yet blogged about) as a temporary relief from tiny knitting needles. I had to force myself to put it aside in order to complete the initial project because I found the simple design so enjoyable. The Grace pullover would be a wonderful first sweater for knitters. The pattern includes links to videos and even a very easy technique for the cable pattern that does not require a cable needle. The underarm on this sweater looks so good, which I am sure some of you fellow knitters will appreciate. Lets not forget it’s perfect t.v. watching compatibility as well.
Yarn & Sizing
I just love Denise’s vibe and the classic style of the Grace. I recommend following her on Instagram. We can expect great things from her, I’m sure. She was kind enough to gift me this pattern and although I didn’t have bulky yarn on hand I did just receive some DK weight yarn in the mail purchased on sale from Bluprint. It is a Superwash Merino in the colorway Stone Heather, a little boring I know, but gotta love those neutrals. This yarn is deliciously soft and after a quick swatch to test the gauge, holding the yarn double, I decided it would be perfect for the Grace. I used 5 skeins to make this sweater in a size 43, basically sizing up one to compensate for my swatch being just slightly smaller than recommended. Feel free to check out my Ravelry project page.
The practice of knitting
A female co-worker once, upon seeing me crocheting between clients, commented on how “domesticated” I looked doing so. I’m not sure I realized at the time how insecure this made me, but I’ve carried around this memory for quite a long time. I was a new mom at the time but I had been a regular crocheter for years at that point. I occasionally sewed, loved to bake, and loved being a mom, but I really didn’t like being called “domesticated.” I still have a problem with that word even though I know first hand the importance of what a mother does day-to-day. Moms/caregivers aren’t giving into the patriarchy, but instead the patriarchy made a very necessary role in society seem unimportant.
Although people may perceive knitting or crocheting as the act of a “house-wife”, I , in fact, find it very empowering and feminist. With my two hands I knit this sweater using wool, a natural fibre, and engaged in a practice that I believe interlinks me to a sisterhood of my ancestors and other knitters. Engaging in needlework is not only for women or femmes, but is definitely feminist. When we knit our own sweater we are choosing to not take part in fast fashion which continues to exploit (mainly) women and our planet. It’s a kind of feminism that is not being capitalized by the fashion industry. These are my personal views at the moment as a cisgender woman so please don’t be offended if you disagree. I’m also listening to Beirut as I write this so can you really blame me for getting deep?
Final Thoughts
All of this to say that my new sweater, the Grace, is very soft, squishy, comfortable, warm, natural, neutral, and may be my favorite hand-knit sweater so far. I love it and it makes me happy. I am so grateful to Denise for the beautiful gifted pattern and I’ll wear my Grace with pride.
8 Comments
Jo
I love your jumper and skirt (what pattern is the skirt? It seems to have just the right amount of gathers and I love the style lines of the pockets too). I totally agree with your commentary on making and the connotations of being “domesticated”. As a maker like you – sewing, knitting, baking, crochet, leatherwork, painting etc – I love it and feel it is really powerful and I really dislike the patronising view that some take of the skills and practice. At work I am known for these skills and my co-workers often ask for my advice with all kinds of practical challenges with clothing etc. Recently a male co-worker popped two of his shirt buttons in one morning and since it was not going to be something he could get away with asked if I could help him get them back on – I agreed to SHOW him how to do one of the buttons on the proviso that he do the second one himself. He agreed and struggled along with his second button and completed it just fine. A similar thing happened to the same guy a week later and I refused to do it – I had only recently given him the skills and I had lent him the needle and thread from my desk drawer – I told him with a smile that he should know better than to ask. While I felt a bit hard to get along with, I also know that not one of my female colleagues would dream of asking me to do the mending in the first place – they might ask for advice and the thread etc, but they have more respect than to ask me to do the repair. Occasionally I do quietly offer to do it for my friends, but that is me offering not them asking or expecting. I wonder if I am too sensitive about it?
Angie Hook
Hahaha, love this. You are not being too sensitive! I think you’re actually doing someone a favor by teaching them to do it for themselves. You never know if that may be a persons gateway to a newfound passion! My skirt is a pattern hack briefly posted about way back in my insta feed. It’s the Seren Dress by Tilly and the Buttons using just the skirt and waistband portion. I did some minor altering to widen the back piece so that I could then add elastic into the back waistband and therefore get that slight gathered back for comfort and ease of fit. That is actually unnecessary, though, and the pockets were completely self drafted. Simply big squares, angled at the top, big folded rectangles sewn to the angled tops, and then the sides trimmed square, edges pressed under, and sewn to the skirt. Thanks for the comment! <3
Jo
I do like to pass on the skills whenever possible! And thanks for the skirt details, I was thinking it is a lot like the Estuary skirt by Sew Liberated but with less gathers – I am not a huge fan of lots of gathers at my waist, so less is more 🙂
Rebecca Haddow
I also love being able to do these things, though I do find myself calling myself – very disparagingly – a housewife, and I really wish I didn’t! I haven’t unpacked this yet. Also, I think that colour is just right for you – not boring at all.
Angie Hook
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a “housewife”, but we don’t have to use that word if it doesn’t resonate with us. I do believe it’s important to think about. We play such important roles in our families. Thank you so much for reading. <3
N95 Mask
Hello everyone,
I really like your work and your blog is quite interesting.
I have to appreciate your job and efforts . It is extraordinary.
King regards,
Thompson Hessellund
Marcia Jamrog
I am so happy to see that you knit, and that this pattern is one that I would enjoy making. Your instincts about the dubious position of homemaker in our country, well, that resonates with lots of us. Don’t apologize for what you know is true.
I just rekindled an interest in sewing, dormant for lo, these last 30 years, and I want to crack the code of making clothes that I will actually wear. Just a few key items in flattering colors and contemporary shapes. I am inspired/encouraged by your blog. Many thanks.
Angie Hook
Thank you so much, I appreciate that. I do love the idea of a capsule wardrobe. Good luck to you, hope you get to making soon.