In 2020, I offered to knit my mum a sweater. I don’t often knit sweaters for other people as it involves measurements and sizing issues. So in June, I cast on the Goldwing Sweater for mum. The Goldwing Sweater is a beautiful design by Jenn Steingass. I really liked the sweater pattern when I first saw it released.
The only change that I made to the pattern was with the sleeves. Mum didn’t want long sleeves like in the pattern and prefers to have a normal shaped sleeve, so I opted for that and knit the sleeve 18 1/2″ long, including a 2″ 1×1 rib cuff.
I chose a size that would give mum 3-4″ positive ease and obtained the correct tension with 4mm Lykke needles. I used WYS Illustrious DK which is a gorgeous 70% Falkland wool 30% British Alpaca blend. It Knits up into a really lovely soft fabric. The main colour is 331 Highland a deep forest green and the contrasting colour is 237 Oatmeal a subtle camel tone. I liked that strong contrast between the two colours. The yarn is machine washable in the wool setting but I will probably hand wash the sweater.
After all, if you are going to knit a stranded colourwork yoke it is really nice to have enough contrast that the pattern will show up clearly. I completed mum’s sweater on 9 September 2020 and was delighted when she tried it on and it fitted her nicely. I love that a top-down knitted sweater can be tried on at a couple of different stages in the process. With mum’s Goldwing Sweater I asked her to try it on just after I had separated for the sleeves and body, and also when I had about 5″ of the body knit.
The pattern was clearly written and the colourwork pattern was interesting to knit. A very enjoyable project and as mum is rather slim, the sweater was finished well ahead of my deadline!
The additional model in the photos is mum’s rescue dog a friendly husky x collie cross. I photographed mum and Mya in her front garden.
I think mum likes the finished sweater, although, she gets more use out of the blanket I knit her for Christmas. The sweater is a bit too warm for sitting in a centrally heated living room in the winter but perfect for a chilly afternoon dog walk with Mya!
What a beautiful jumper and how gorgeous are you to knit for your Mum.
What a beautiful sweater,you have really inspired me to make one for myself,could you tell me how much yarn it took of each colour to complete 🤗
Nicolete,
Your Mom is beautiful and so is the sweater. You did a good job on it.
Your Mom did a good job with you!
Myra looks like a sweet companion.
So happy to receive your posts again. Joyce AZ USA
It is lovely to hear from you Joyce.
A beautiful pattern which looks very complicated but your finished sweater is beautiful. I love your colour choice.
Goldwing is a clearly written pattern and was fun to knit.
Hi I’ve just got to the yoke depth and don’t understand the instruction for the Separate body and sleeves which says ‘Remove BOR marker and k42 back stitches’
What is a back stitch
Any help appreciated Tania
Oh what a beautiful sweater! Your mum looks wonderful in it, too. That pattern is on my must-knit list. I’ve knit a couple of Jennifer Steingas’s patterns (although I converted them to baby cardigans) and I agree that they are extremely well and clearly designed.