Update: Yay, keep those comments coming! I’ll extend the giveaway until Noon EDT on Friday 9/20! š
I did say two new sweaters in a week, didn’t I??
Last Saturday, it was the Southold Sweater, a great layer for the lingering warm weather we’re having here. And now, it’s time for my second sweater and the perfect knit for real Autumn days: the Stomping Grounds Pullover!
Designed as part of the Knit Picks’ City Tweed Collection (which debuts today here), I am so thrilled that the release date has arrived.
Nearly a year in the conception/writing/making, this design is the epitome of what I look for in a sweater as the days turn cooler: a cozy pullover in a classic neutral shade with a not-too-tight fit and lots of interesting texture. That’s how the sweater also got its name: it’s the sweater I pull out of my closet when I’m hanging out at home, lounging around for a weekend brunch, or meeting up with family and friends. You know, when you’re having fun on your old stomping grounds š
And as you can see, my love affair with placing patterns on the back of the sweater continues! The back features a combination of branching cables and a textured panel that really shows off the beauty of the City Tweed DK yarn.
Speaking of the yarn, I LOVE IT. Not only does it come in a huge range of colors at a great price (the brown shade shown here is “Tabby”), but it is so smooth to knit with and works up into a heavenly soft fabric that blocks nicely and provides lots of stitch definition, as you can see below in the twisted ribbing that is featured on the collar, cuffs, and hem. I will definitely be working with this yarn again!
(And in case you think I neglected the front of the sweater, fear not: I added a cable down the front, shown in the first photo above.)
The sweater is knit in one piece and in the round from the top down. Featuring a crew neck and raglan sleeves, the body and the sleeves are also nice and long to maximize the coziness factor. There’s also some waist shaping to keep the overall fit more modern. The pattern includes seven sizes that cover bust sizes between 33″ and 56 1/2″, and the sweater should be worn with about 0-2″ of positive ease in keeping with the easy fit of the design.
Probably the best part about the design process for this sweater was simply all of the folks involved at Knit Picks. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: they are so great to work with! A wonderful sample knitter created the sweater you’ve seen above, and the whole process from choosing colors to working with the technical editors and reviewing the final pattern proofs was easy and seamless. (haha no pun intended!)
And aren’t the professional photos beautiful? (And YAY for using a redhead!) They sent me a variety of pics to choose from for today’s post, and one of my favorites just happens to involve a very cute doggie who appears to be wondering when he/she is going to get his/her own sweater:
One of the other great things about working with KP is that they sent me yarn so that I could work out the pattern and knit my own Stomping Grounds! Behold, my own version made up in the perfect-shade-of-brown-beige called “Kitten”:
I love love love how the lighter colorway really makes the texture pop while also highlighting the overall “tweediness” of the fabric. Although it was 90+ degrees here today, I’m itching to put this sweater on and wear it all season long.
And here’s the best news of all: you could be knitting and wearing a Stomping Grounds very soon, too!
Knit Picks is offering one of my readers a FREE copy of the City Tweed Collection e-book. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post between now and midnight (EDT) on Wednesday, September 18th, after which I’ll pick a winner at random from the comments and send them the e-book via email.
So get going and leave a comment to get this pattern and the other patterns from this great collection! To see more about the entire collection, just head on over to Knit Picks’ website here. (And yes, that’s Stomping Grounds on the cover of the book! Wheeeee!)
With two sweaters done and dusted, I’m ready for Fall!
xoxo Danielle
daniellechalson.com 
Oh, dear Danielle…I don’t just Like this one I LOVE this one ! I have about a dozen biggish projects on the go right now….but this sweater just called me by name !! I am so impressed with your talent and great eye for fashion.
thanks, Melissa! yes, i just love how cozy this sweater turned out š
Gorgeous D! Xo M
Sent from my iPhone
thank you, ma’am!!
Stomping grounds is a lovely sweater. You just keep designing gorgeous stuff!!!
thank you so much, Margot!
Are you tired of hearing CONGRATULATIONS, yet? Because you so deserve to hear it over and over.
This pullover is gorgeous! I like all of the photos, but I agree with you, the lighter yarn really does make the textured patterning pop out, and yet you see all of the tweediness of the yarn at the same time. Both yarn colors look wonderful though. Another huge hit you have here. You should be so proud of yourself!!!
oh thank you, Sandie, you are too sweet!
BEAUTIFUL SWEATER. I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE BACK WITH THE CABLES. IT LOOKS GREAT IN THE BROWN AND THE LIGHT TWEED!! CONGRATS ON ANOTHER BEAUTY!!
thank you, Sue!
I am SO HAPPY to see the pattern go live. I knit the sample in Tabby and absolutely loved every minute of the process. Congratulations!!
Barbara, I should be thanking YOU for the amazing knitting you did! You rock!
This is STUNNING… you know my terror of knitting sweaters, and this I will make. It is everything. Nice job, love!
awww, thank you lady! no terror! just ping me with questions, instead š
Thanks to KP for the tweet that brought me here. I’m just getting back into knitting again and I will be making this gorgeous creation. Kudos to you, the very talented designer!
welcome and thank you so much! š
This would be a fantastic sweater for my granddaughter. Thanks for a chance to win the pattern.
This sweater is so beautiful and the yarn looks yummy. Hope I win!
thank you, carol!!
Stomping grounds is beautiful!
thank you so much! š
Love the cable on the front and back… And the pictures are beautiful… really like the dog, too! š
I love how it looks in the lighter color. I didn’t notice the texture on the back with the darker color.
That is a gorgeous sweater in one of my favorite yarns. Nice work!!
Love that sweater. I’m not usually a fan of cables but the ones on the back are incredible.
Gorgeous work!
Love sweater weather, and what a pretty sweater to break in the new season!!
This sweater is gorgeous and would be perfect for the fall.
These are gorgeously elegant and not over crowded.
What a beautiful sweater! I love it! #KnittingAddict
I fell in love with this sweater from the first time I saw it. It’s a beautiful design and that yarn is the perfect choice.
Congrats – perfect match of yarn and style!
Would love to win this ebook! Thanks to you for the beautiful design, and KnitPicks for the ebook!
ooh could I have both your lovely hair and sweater please? loves it
haha thanks, gill!
Don’t know if you will believe me, but this truly is my favorite sweater in the whole collection. It’s the perfect balance of simplicity and knitterly detail. I will definitely be making my own Stomping Grounds!
thank you so much, janelle!
LOVE this sweater! I’ll be ordering the pattern and yarn today. Thank you, thank you!