Jan 22, 2014

Cardi Quest ~ The Mason Trio


My sweater collection.

What's wrong with this picture?  For all the yarn in my life and all the knitting I do you would think I'd have a closet full of lovelies to wear.  But like a carpenter's wife without cupboards, or a cobbler's children without shoes, I am a yarn maker without sweaters.

Motivated by this devastating reality, and greatly inspired by my friends Ellen and Gale, I am determined to remedy this fashion void in my life.  And so, I am off on a year long Cardi Quest.  (I must confess I started this quest in September with my Rhinebeck sweater.)  The goal - to fill my closet with a bevy of colorful cardigans, savor the designs of some of my favorite knitwear designers, and play with all the (new) Nash Island yarn colors (more about that later!).  

4 Nor'easters, 3 ice storms, and numerous power outages (so far) have made for lots of knitting time this winter.  Here are 3 new additions to my cardi collection.  Affectionately known as the Mason trio, these designs are from one of my most favorite knitwear designers, Ellen Mason.


Lorna Suzanne

Lorna Suzanne by Ellen Mason Designs (odacier) on Ravelry

 Nash Island Light Yarn in Cove

 (Okay, I confess, I knit this awhile ago, but hardly anyone has seen me wear it, and it needs to be acknowledged here along with it's sister sweaters.)


Lillian Fay in the Forest

Lillian Fay by Ellen Mason Designs (odacier) on Ravelry 
 Nash Island Light yarn in Spruce & Seaweed



 I decided to change it up a bit by using two colors.  I like how using the lighter green for the front panels really highlights the leaf pattern.  You may get tired of seeing me in this sweater.


Mary Rebecca goes to the Ocean


Mary Rebecca by Ellen Mason Designs (odacier) on Ravelry
Nash Island Light Yarn in Jay, Buoy, Calm Seas, Sea Glass, Clear Skies



I have been working on some new colors for 2014 (stay tuned!) and after dyeing up some blues I really needed to try them out to see if they all played nicely together, so I really, really needed to knit up a sweater with them all, and of course it really, really, really needed to be one of Ellen's designs.... 

I love Ellen's designs.  Simple - with an interesting design element.  A joy to knit - with instructions so clear and concise it's like Ellen is sitting right there beside you while you knit. And the fit - perfect every time!






5 comments:

Mary Lou said...

I was going to make one of Ellen's in my fabulous NI Light, but went with something else. Here's some shots of the in-process. I LOVE the yarn. I'll send you a photo of the finished project. Then I'll probably order more. http://mlegan.wordpress.com/2014/01/30/the-winner-and-the-new-baby/

gale (she shoots sheep shots) said...

Hahaha= thanks for the shout out, but I s look to YOU for inspiration Jani!! Ypur Jenny's are fabulous. I really need to get going on my precious Starcroft skeins. (I pet them all the time so they feel appreciated)

Leah said...

What a gorgeous model you have! ;)
XO, Leah Mae

Leah said...

What a gorgeous model you have! ;)
XO, Leah Mae

mary jane said...

What pretty pretty sweaters. I love the whole two tone thing.

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