Washing Riddari

I knit this sweater for Skip in 2017. It's Riddari by Védis Jónsdóttir.

He wore it, or the other Icelandic sweater I knit him, almost every day in the winter. It looked smashing with black dress pants or jeans. I plan to take it on our Iceland/Norway trip so I wanted to make sure it was good to go.

I found a couple of breaks in the yarn on the front which created holes. It could have been caused by a wool-eating critter. I found a remnant of the Lett-Lopi yarn and made the repair. It wasn't perfect but unless you're looking for it, you'd never notice.

The sweater needed washing so it would be nice and fresh for my trip. I used the last bit of Eucalan and gave it a good soak. This wool wash doesn't require rinsing but I rinsed anyway, just to make sure most of the detritus was washed away. I drained the sink, then pressed a lot more water out. Next the sweater was rolled up in a fluffy bath towel. I stepped along the roll, unrolled it and placed it on another fluffy bath towel for one more try at removing as much water as possible.

Then hauled out my drying mats (interlocking foam playroom floor squares), blocking wires, and pins. The pins are quilter's rustproof t-pins.

I pinned it out onto the mats, measuring the desired sleeve length as I don't like my sleeves excessively long then pulled the wires to the desired width of the sleeves, yoke and body.

I believe I had knit extra rows on the back before starting the yoke but wanted to make sure it was higher so I pulled the back of the neck up a bit and pinned it in place.

The sweater will be dry by tomorrow. It would dry faster if I put the fan on it but I'm too lazy to bring it up out of the basement.

Back in 2016 I knit an oversized Icelandic cardigan, lopapeysa, for myself (pictured before the buttons were added). Am trying to decide whether to take or not. 

I used the Italian tubular cast on which made for a nice, rolled cuff edge. It's an easy technique and there are lots of YouTube videos on the subject.

There's also a way to do a rolled bindoff like this.

Also trying to decide if I'll shorten it a bit because it hangs below my bum.

These sweaters are pretty lofty but they'll squish down nicely in my suitcase. I also have vacuum bags I can use to express even more air out of them. 

Icelandic sweaters knit up quickly because the yarn is thick and the body and sleeves are knit as tubes - round and round in stocking stitch. When you get sick of plain knitting, it's time to do the yoke. 

I knit this one in 16 days back in 2019. Afmaeli, also by Védis Jónsdóttir, is a free, unisex pattern from Lopi Design.

We are very fortunate to have Myrtle Station Wool close by. She has all weights and many colours of this company's Icelandic wool. Open Thursday - Saturday 11 to 5, or by appointment.