Artichoke French: A Rhinebeck Sweater

I've been attending New York State Sheep and Wool festival (aka Rhinebeck) for years! So, when Ysolda asked me if I wanted to contribute a sweater design for her new project The Rhinebeck Sweater, a book dedicated to celebrating the community, yarn, food, spirit and sweaters of the festival how could I say no? 
It took me like half a second to choose the yarn I wanted to use, Jill Draper Makes Stuff, Empire a ginormous 1280 yard ball of hand dyed, springy and soft 100% Rambouillet wool. When thinking about color, I thought about food (one of Rhinebeck's themes). The one thing I stand in line for every year is Artichoke French. Artichoke French is a concoction of breaded, sauteed artichoke hearts with a wine, lemon, butter sauce... mmmmm. All I had to do is say "artichoke" to Jill and she dyed the perfect color!
When considering the design I knew I wanted a bottom up, seamless sweater that was fitted to the body AND had built in fingerless mitts.  Rhinebeck can be chilly and I don't like to be encumbered by many layers.  It's easier for me if the experience is streamlined, then I can eat/knit and chat my way through the festival without loosing a my mittens or cardigan.
Ninja Cuffs, as integrated fingerless mitts are referred to in my house, are a favorite of mine and my girl's in the fall and winter. In fact, this is the first sweater I've designed the girl has asked for!  If that's not a vote of confidence, I don't know what is!
Artichoke French has compound raglan (my first.... ouch the math) shaping with an artichoke leaf stitch that is created by manipulating elongated stitches, running up the side seams and raglan line to the mock turtleneck.  I think the math on this sweater took me longer than knitting it, but in the end, with 16 sizes, and a full schematic, it was well worth it.  This is the way sweater designs should be written and I LOVED being asked to challenge myself . 
The official release for the book is November 6th but you can pre-order it now! There are 12 phenomenal sweaters in this book, designed by 12 AMAZING women and photographed stunningly by Ysolda and crew.  You really do need to go grab a cup of something hot and take a peak at the look book.  I can't wait to get my hands on a printed copy! The Rhinebeck Sweater is a knitting book, but is also a gorgeous coffee table book, with stories, recipes, tips, animals, photos and patterns! 


All the details for Artichoke French can be found on Ravelry. More sweaters from the book will be appearing there in the next few days so that you can gather supplies for when your book arrives!  I did just get word that Jill will have Empire balls in Jennie the Potter's booth #27A-9, so now you really have a reason to get on line right away!  
Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you... there's an Artichoke French Recipe in the book as well!  I did some reading, practiced some methods, fed my family a few meals of artichokes and figured a recipe out that is "almost" as good as you can get at Rhinebeck!  See how much I like it?
And the winner of the Ricefield Collective giveaway???? Congrats to Hannah P  I've been using my bag EVERY DAY and I bet you will too!  Get in touch so I can send your bag out to you!

Comments

  1. Already pre-ordered my copy and I LOVE Artichoke French! Now I have another excuse to run (not walk!) to Jennie's booth for the yarn so I'll be all set on Nov.6th! :) Yet another gorgeous design! Maybe my Rhinebeck 2014 sweater??? ;)

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    1. A new Jennie Mug AND a ball of yarn... what a great way to start out the fest : )!

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  2. Oh my goodness, I LOVE the sweater. Must have. I grew up just up the road from the Artichoke Capital of the World, Castroville, California.

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    1. Aw, thanks! Lucky you living in the land of artichokes!

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  3. Can't wait for the book to come out! Laura, how much ease is in the sweater?

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    1. The one I am wearing has 1 inch negative ease... just choose a size that is comfortable for you to wear : )! I like my sweaters tight!

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    2. I think this one would probably look good with some negative ease. Off to pre-order my book!

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  4. pre-ordered!! cannot wait to see IRL. Artichoke French is my fav- am slightly obsessed with ninja sleeves

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  5. I'm the non-knitting mandolin-toting guy who stands in line for my knittin' peeps at Artichoke French every year, unless it's our first stop for breakfast, then we ALL stand in line! Lovely photos! See you in 23 days or so! I'll probably bring my mandolin again. It's easy to carry onto the plane.

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    1. I've never been to Rhinebeck, but when I go I'm looking for you! My husband is a great sport and goes into yarn stores and even to some fiber fests with me. You sound like a good guy, just like my husband!

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    2. BEST.HUSBAND.EVER! Will you stand in line for me too? I'll pay : )!

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  6. I love this sweater especially because of the fingerless mitts all combined into the sweater. What a great design and color!

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    1. Thankyou!!!! I can't wait to wear it in a few weeks!

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  7. Oh my, this sweater is stunning! I'm in love with the whole Rhinebeck sweater collection, but the color and the details on this one are really beautiful! Well done!

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  8. I adore this sweater! Almost enough to overcome my fear of knitting items that actually have to fit (too many disastrous projects in my past!)

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  9. Oh my. I love everything about this sweater! I have been wanting to knit a sweater with fingerless mitts built in, and this might just be The One!

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  10. I love the sweater. But I think I also love the sweater of the person who is standing beside you in the photographs. What sweater is that ?

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    1. Thanks Vickie! Jill's sweater is of her own creation.... there is no pattern for it... (yet)! I passed on your love of it!

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  11. Never had I even imagined about combining fingerless mitts into sweater itself. Its really a unique and creative design. Thanks for sharing.

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