Jessica Knits Episode 43: My 5 favorite colorwork sweaters

Welcome to Episode 43 of my knitting podcast! In this episode, I share with you my five favorite colorwork sweater patterns and why I love them so much.
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Where to find Jessica:
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Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
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What I am wearing:
Silverlake Shawl
www.ravelry.co...
Cannes dress in heavy linen from Not Perfect Linen
notperfectline...
The sweaters:
Ruska
www.ravelry.co...
The yarn - Barrett Wool Co Wisconsin Woolen Spun
www.barrettwoo...
Snowy Pines
www.ravelry.co...
The yarn - De Rerum Natura Gilliat
www.dererumnat...
Blizzard
www.ravelry.co...
The yarn - Bare Naked Wools Better Breakfast DK
www.barenakedw...
My Fletching
www.ravelry.co...
The yarn - Barrett Wool Co Woolens
www.barrettwoo...
Winter Woods
www.ravelry.co...
The yarn - Wool Dreamers Manchelopi
Please use any worsted weight yarn for this sweater. As I say in the video, I do not recommend unspun because of how poorly the fabric wears.

[@andreabush1742]

I love and buy your patterns!

[@jilliankonig2759]

Love these sweaters. Since your colorwork starts with a little bit of white snowflakes, I'm wondering if Snowy Pines could have had short rows in the top, with colorwork "snowflakes" to prevent there being a solid wedge of green. There just would have been a bit more snow in the back neck.

[@maggieheilmann5905]

That’s must be why everyone knits unspun yarn held with one strand of silk/mohair. I haven’t had problems with Nutiden unspun. But that’s the only unspun I’ve used. I’ve knit 3 of these sweaters. I do have the Ruska kit and really want to make a cardigan with a steek. I hope that is doable. I love your patterns. So easy to follow and well written.

[@theknittystew]

I really appreciate this type of episode Jessica. Thank you so much! I have 5 of your patterns in my library and really look forward to casting on all of them, but especially Winter Woods - I will steer clear of using my unspun for this project. Can't wait to see the Sleepy Kitties!

[@selfishknitter]

“I do have a million children” 😂 I appreciate seeing how the sweaters and yarn are holding up to wear. Thank you for this video!

[@cheryldavenport3617]

Jessica, This has been my favorite podcast thus far because of the retrospective on each of the 5 garments. It's so helpful to know not only how yarn acts when it's being knit, but also how it acts over time and with frequent wear. Like you, I live in the northern climes and I'm reptilian to boot - I just seem to take on the temperature of the day! So, I wear sweaters easily 8 months of the year and whenever I go into restaurants in the summer. If you would consider intermittently telling us these things about more of your knitted garments, I'd be vert grateful!

[@Craftyaliciajoy]

Thanks for sharing your favorite colorwork sweaters and how they face held up. I was a test knitter for winter woods and agree that the colorwork design is stunning but am also super disappointed in the yarn. Will you do a favorite sweater video for your non colorwork sweaters? I would be interested to hear how the other sweaters have held up, and which are your favorite.

[@bethgierhart2559]

Thanks for all the yarn and pattern information in your video! I would like to knit the fletching in worsted if you decide to do that. Thanks!

[@nanabeth3762]

Someone may have mentioned this but Wisconsin Woolen spun is in worsted and fingering from the same mill. Woolens Sport is a Harrisville yarn which might explain the differences in color bleed. Both are sold by Barrett Wool Co.

[@SFHawtrey]

Lovely! You touched on it a bit here, but I’d love a whole podcast episode devoted to all the yarns you’ve used in each weight- which ones wear well, which are softest, which are best for colorwork or cables, and which yarns would be the best to substitute if a given yarn is out of stock. That would be so helpful!

[@lievemeirsschaut7939]

While I am watching this I am sewing the neckline of the ‘silver birch sweater’. It turned out lovely, I still have to knit the sleeves but I already know this will be a cosy favourite. Next one will be the fletching. I bought the pattern for the ruska for my daughter and she just finished it, very beautiful. Thank you for the tutorials you make. Best wishes! Love from Belgium, Lieve

[@kathyp790]

Loved the podcast and seeing your favorite sweaters!! Would love to see My Fletching done in worsted weight too. In love with Snowy Pines and Winter Woods!

[@deifio]

Love your designs! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how your sweaters are holding up tonnormal wearvand tear. I had a smiliar experience being disappointed in the wool. I knit Blizzard as my first colorwork sweater and it turned out beautiful. But only a couple of washes in it started pilling like crazy and also loosing its shape. That was a superwash yarnband I'm steering clear on those in future. I have knit the Fletching and My Fletching in a local yarn. They look beautiful and seem to be holding up much better.

[@DanielaLehmann-c8b]

Hi Jessica, I’m watching your podcast for the first time and can’t believe I’m wearing the same dress in the same colour as you , I like it very much too. Hi from Switzerland

[@JessicaMcDonaldKnits]

We are dress twins! That is so fun!

[@LoriBychinski]

You asked us to comment if we would appreciate a worsted weight version of My Fletching. I say, "Yes!" Also, I appreciate your honest evaluations of how the yarns you used have worn. i'm from Wisconsin, so I definitely need to try the Barrett Wool Co. yarns. Many say it, but I'll add my praise to the list ... I love your patterns. So far, I have made My Fletching and Winter Woods. Ruska or Snowy Pines may be next!

[@westrose586]

Love your Ruska. Excited to knit it.Bought the kit from Barett Yarn co. but haven't started it yet. Thanks Jessica. Love your work!

[@traceysirett5840]

Love Snowy Pines. Knitting at moment in Navy Blue and White.

[@kristencolton8875]

So grateful for this podcast. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful sweaters. Things I would love to see from you…I love your style and designs but I live in a warmer climate and cannot wear worsted weight color work. Would love some more sport weight designs. Or cardigans. Or ideally vests. I wear vest so much. Also, I would love more information about the yarns that you love. I think the most beautiful part of this podcast, and the most useful was the information you gave about the yarn. I will seriously consider using some of the Wisconsin woolen spun yarn in my next color project. I would not have sought them out to if I had not listened to this. Thank you for your wonderful contribution.

[@donnarasor5662]

Jessica, I really enjoyed hearing how well your favorite sweaters have stood the test of time. I've just cast on Blizzard (loving it!) with yarn I specifically purchased for it when you released the pattern. However it's a superwash yarn so crossing my fingers I will love how it wears. Sad to see your Winter Woods has had issues. My version is definitely my most worn sweater.

[@deborahderden4860]

I love your colorwork but your sweater necklines seem rather big. Is there any way you could make a tutorial or written instructions to make smaller necklines for your sweaters?

[@wendykelcey1246]

They do seem large, but I wonder if they actually are when they’re on. Just GORGEOUS SWEATERS!!!

[@ogostalick]

I also would like smaller necklines and would like to know how to get a tighter crew neckline.

[@Kathy-xy2sr]

What a great video, thank you! I love the honest assessment of the different yarns. It is so helpful as yarn is so expensive and then the time required to knit these masterpieces, to have a sweater that the fabric is disappointing is incredibly frustrating! My first sweater was knit in bold green and white striping that bleed in the second wash. 🤯I cannot wear it away from home. Thanks again Jessica and Happy New Year, happy knitting 🥰

[@kaz1388]

I'm a big fan of 22st/DK weight sweaters (over here in Aus). But when you explained your temps in the mountains- I get it ❤ you need that extra warmth in your location. Love your designs!

[@glofdahl1733]

Yes, the MyFletching in worsted would be great!

[@sagasandstars]

Such a pretty shawl! I’m not good at sweater or bigger color work, but these look amazing! I do mosaic knitting. Love cables and lace

[@griffox]

I am knitting the Fletching sweater right now! It's my second sweater and first colorwork sweater. I definitely want to knit Ruska...and pretty much all of your sweater designs. Lol. 😊

[@aggierowe9574]

I am knitting Winter Woods right now…thank you for showing this video. I am going to lengthen the sleeves. Knitting with Unspun yarn Manchelopis is truly a labor of love. It takes twice as long for me to finish bc unspun falls apart. But yes, the pattern is a hit.

[@SuzKnits]

Great to hear your thoughts on these patterns and yarns. Ive knitted Little Abloom and Skift so far.

[@nicktalbot2748]

love all your sweaters new to colowork but i made a couple color work hats for christmas presents so i am going to cast on a blizzard this week i have bought like 3 of your color work sweater patterns so i need to actully make one lol

[@carylmcgee7800]

Love your patterns. It will be difficult to pick just one! I have been afraid of knitting with the nutriden. Mostly because I’d be breaking it. But the issue of the garment not holding its shape over normal use and care ! Will not use it.

[@shieladegrote8238]

I have been working on the Blizzard going two years now and it was my first color work sweater but knitting it in DK is driving me batty it is taking forever. I love your patterns and would appreciate more worsted or Aran weight pieces that are a little quicker.

[@gillianclough210]

Hello Jessica, I was very interested to read your top 5 jumpers article. I love your work and find your patterns to be really clear and concise. Could you advise what would be a good alternative to the Manchelopi yarn please? As a newbie to colourwork, top down sweaters, I'm finding the yarn too difficult to work with because of its susceptibility to breaking. It's a beautiful yarn, but as a learner, I'm finding it too difficult. Thank you Jessica.

[@JessicaMcDonaldKnits]

I’m am assuming you are knitting Winter Woods. If I were to knit it again, I would use Harrisville Designs Highland. It has a great selection of colors and I love that it is woolen spun. Be aware that it is a bit more rustic. For a softer yarn, Quince & Co Lark is a winner every time. It is lovely to knit with and the yarn wears really nicely. It does pill because of its softness, but I don’t consider that a deal breaker.

[@gillianclough210]

@JessicaMcDonaldKnits yes, definitely Winter Woods!! It's such a beautiful pattern. Thank you Jessica. I'm in the UK, but now I have your advice, I can try and source it. Thank you so much for your help and advice. It is very much appreciated.

[@janetsmith7147]

I ❤your sweaters! I don’t have anyone near who offers knitting classes😢. I learned basic stitches, but not sure I could do color work. I really want to knit a sweater for my 14 month old grand daughter. Do You have an6 instructional videos ( start to finish)?

[@corinnecharvet1346]

Hi! Jessica has a full video on how to knit your first sweater, step by step. Very useful, easy to follow. Though I knit for many years I always like to go back to basics and this video is well done!

[@corinnecharvet1346]

And a video for your first colorwork sweater as well !😊 Happy knitting and happy end of the year

[@jennasosa7740]

Jessica, I have no experience as a knitter and want to learn. Do you have any patterns or resources made for the complete beginner?

[@heatheraspinall1493]

Can anyone recommend the best youtube tutorial for jogless colour work. I am having difficulty. Many thanks.

[@corinnecharvet1346]

Hi ! Did you check on Very Pink Knits youtube channel? I regularly go there if I need any help. NimbleNeedles is a very useful ressource too.

[@loopyloop1]

I have just found you, i love your sweaters, i have just started loopy loopy if you would like to pop by ❤❤❤

[@marykisto50]

What part of Idaho I am from arco Idaho and lived all over idaho

[@coleensmith3544]

yes always to worsted, MyFletching

[@rose8598]

So im new to knitting sweaters How do you know what yarn to use!