Lately it seems like the Central Park Hoodie has been popping up a lot on people's blogs/queues, and somehow I have become obsessed with knitting it, modified to my liking.
Here's what I want to do to it:
1.) knit the back and two fronts in one piece to the armholes
2.) short row the shoulder shaping so I can three-needle-bindoff the shoulder seams
3.) pick up around the armscye and knit the sleeves top down
4.) possibly put in a zipper - I know I don't want buttons
5.) either eliminate the hood or do it the way Turtlegirl did hers
I'm also debating about the sizing. If I knit the 36 with the needles I got gauge on (7s) I would have between 1-1.5 inches of positive ease, which may be alright for this sweater the way it was originally intended and would work with the zipper idea. If I knit the 32 (also with the 7s) I'd be wearing it open. I can do a 32 in pullovers but in cardigans that are supposed to close it's more iffy. Another option would be to knit the 32 on needles that will yield about a 34 (8s) and I could either do the zipper or wear it open. Still deciding...I considered knitting it in pieces, the way it's written, which would make each piece go fast, but I know I'll procrastinate sewing those seams at the end and won't enjoy the process. I think it will go pretty quick anyway.
I've narrowed it down to Brooks Farm Riata from stash, but am trying to decide on a color.
I have either a wine color
or
a warm pink (but I already have an Ariann made out of the red version of this yarn and it may be too similar)
for solids (I've eliminated a plain medium blue from consideration for this as I think it will be too "matchy" with jeans) and two variegated options -
either blue/green (crappy pre-DSLR pic)
and rose/violet mix (other not so crappy pre-DSLR pic)
I know variegated wouldn't normally be a choice most people would make, but I think it could look cool, especially the one with the blue and green as it would really pop with jeans.
What do you think?
Gratuitous political content: YAY OBAMA!
I like the rose/violet color!!
Posted by: Annie | November 05, 2008 at 09:48 AM
I think the variegated yarn would put a nice spin on this classic piece.
Posted by: Susan - Knitters Delight | November 05, 2008 at 09:57 AM
I like the rose violet, but I am partial to solids. I just looks very comfy and cozy. I can't wait to make my CPH too. Man you knit fast!!!
Posted by: Machelle | November 05, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I vote for blue/green or wine.
My CPH is definitely my most-worn knit. I didn't put any closures at all on it, although I sometimes wish I had. The only thing I wish I would have done differently is to have done a sloped bind-off around the front neck (instead of the "stair steps"), as it looks rather ugly where I've picked up the hood stitches. The hood actually covers that part when I'm wearing it, but it still bugs me a little.
Oh, I've also noticed that sizing on this seems to run fairly snug. So if in doubt, I'd go for the larger size.
Posted by: Katinka | November 05, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I like the wine or the blue green. And I'd do the seaming for you!! I do it for our LYS.
Posted by: Yvonne | November 05, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Me? My answer is usually to go with what's closest to purple, so I'd chose the wine colored - although the blue/green looks nice too.
Posted by: BJ | November 05, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Oooh I like the wine colored one!
Posted by: turtlegirl76 | November 05, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I made the CPH hoodie all in one piece to the armholes and then separated and did the sleeves top down as you are suggesting. I also didn't bind off at the neck like it said to and just continued the hood up from there.
Then I read in the yarn harlot's blog that there's a reason for binding off and then picking up stitches (to prevent stretching), but I haven't done the row of chain stitch yet as a "fix" I put buttons on mine, but I'm going to change them out for a separating zipper that I just purchased from Feibush in NYC.
Posted by: Eyevea | November 05, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I think the wine or blue/green. It suits you and your new hair coloring well, or at least I think so.
Posted by: Andrea | November 05, 2008 at 12:50 PM
You know me; I like the purple. I can't wait to get the yarn for mine so I can start!
Posted by: Jenny | November 05, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Everything Katinka says, except that I didn't have a problem with the neck/hood stitches. I second going a size up too. Mine fits ok, closely, but I think I'd like it a bit more roomy.
Love the wine color most, but the blue-green is great too!
Posted by: Debby | November 05, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I would totally go for the wine color with the blue/green running 2nd! I have some royal blue for one I'm going to get to one of these days!
Posted by: Michelle | November 05, 2008 at 03:09 PM
I just finished the hoodie- I was slow on the bandwagon too. I love this sweater. I am in Indiana so I knit mine out of donegal tweed. I think it runs a little snug- so I would go a little larger. I just took a class with Chris Bylsma on finishing- she totally rocks btw- I think this sweater needs some structure so I would seam the shoulder seams. I did my hood similar to randomthreads.com did hers. I won't wear the hood up so I like the cable coming up the back and over the top. It was a really fun quick knit- as fast as you knit yours will be finished by the weekend. For what it is worth I like the purple:)
Posted by: Tonia | November 05, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Interesting idea, I like the blue/green.
Posted by: KeanaLee | November 05, 2008 at 03:18 PM
I love the CPH - can't wait to see yours done. And yes - Yay Obama!
Posted by: tiennie | November 05, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I like the wine color. Will you have to adjust the cable (the direction of the cross) if you knit it from the armhole down? I'm not able to visualize this without actually turning the piece.
Posted by: marjorie | November 05, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I vote for the blue/green...with the wine color a close second.
Right back at'cha....Yay Obama!
Posted by: Shannon O. | November 05, 2008 at 04:36 PM
I vote for blue/green with the wine color a close second.
Right back at'cha...Yay Obama!
Posted by: Shannon O. | November 05, 2008 at 04:39 PM
I'm going with majority --- the blue/green as 1st choice, then the wine
Posted by: bettyc | November 05, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Blue green then wine lol
Posted by: adrienne | November 05, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Another vote for wine! Whenever I knit mine, I plan a shawl collar like http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Elkechan/central-park-hoodie this one.
Posted by: Zonda | November 05, 2008 at 08:04 PM
I think the wine would look very fun and perky with jeans and maybe some funky fun shoes..............
Finally four years of something different.....can't say I 100% agree with him, but I suppose it CAN'T POSSIBLY BE WORSE!!! Ha ha ha (I entertain myself!)
Posted by: heidi | November 05, 2008 at 11:22 PM
I love my CPH, it's by far my favorite knit. I left the hood off, I knew I'd never wear it, I'm not a hoodie person. I can't wait to see what you do with yours!
Posted by: Bobbi | November 06, 2008 at 07:33 AM
I like a little bit of pop too. Will the variegated show up well in the cables?
Posted by: Jeanine | November 06, 2008 at 03:33 PM
I think your mods would be great. I almost knit the CPK instead of Cassidy - it is really cute. I am partial to the blue/green yarn. It is sooo pretty and I think it would look amazing!
Posted by: Lara | November 10, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Hey, I've been thinking about making this one too! Though I'm not clever enough to modify it like you will :) Love that violet color - but I think any of them would be awesome. Can't wait to see.....
Posted by: knittymuggins | November 10, 2008 at 06:58 PM