wham bam thank you ma'am: the big-ass hoody

When the Winter 09/10 Vogue came out I was pleased with what I saw. I scoffed at a few patterns (namely the superchunky who-could-wear-them monsters from Twinkle), and saw several that I wanted to make. To me, if you can find 2 or more patterns that catch your eye on first perusal, the magazine's a keeper.

Then, I went to TNNA. The lovely Trisha M, editor of Vogue, started pulling the sweaters in the magazine off their rack and and had me try them on - especially the ones I thought I liked least. And guess what? The Big-Ass Hoody, AKA B.A.H., AKA #15 Hooded Cardi Vest, looked adorable. And I knew then on the show floor that I had to knit it when I got home.

There's much pleasure to be found in knitting with superchunky yarn on size 15 needles. (There's also a LOT of hand cramping - but let's ignore that for now and focus on the fun parts.) The work just flies off the needles. When your directions say to "cont until piece measures 15 in" that's only 45 rows!!! Ha! And so, after beginning the B.A.H. last Tuesday evening, wham, bam, THANK YOU MA'AM!, it's finished:

• Pattern: #15 Hooded Cardi Vest by Wenlan Chia, Winter 09/10 Vogue Knitting
• Yarn: Cascade Magnum, #4008 Ruby, 6 skeins
• Size: 60" (yes, I wrote that right and you read it right - SIXTY INCHES AROUND)
• Needles: US 15
• Start to finish? 6 days!

This was easy-peasy to finish, by the way. Cute little pleats at the yokes on front and back, cute little hood. I did hesitate for several minutes over the yoke instructions - if you are planning on making this beware that they look severely asymmetrical...but oddly enough they come out correctly. I had someone message me on Ravelry about this and I told her that I went ahead and knit as written and even though the decrease rate on one side does not match the increase rate on the other side, somehow it works out. Maybe someday I could be lucky enough to meet Ms Chia and she can explain it to my thick head. :)

So! If you're looking for a quick distraction with high satisfaction, knit this monster today! You too can be the proud owner of a B.A.H.!

Comments

[Chriss]

I can't believe how cute that looks~!?! I too, wrote that pattern off as a yuck, but you look terrific in it!

[Sarah]

You are so stylish! I normally wouldn't think the chunky knits would work outside the magazine but it looks good!

[Seona]

Wow I LOVE this - it looks so cosy! Definitely adding this to the queue!

[Sarahcita]

Big AND Cute and warm, to boot! Get it? Boot? Cuz you're wearing boots? I really like the way it turned out, tho'! That would be a great choice for the Knit Olympics, wouldn't it?

[Jenn]

It looks great! And you pictures make me wish I had a way to visit your store!

[marissa]

That looks awesome on you! And Oh. My. God. I love your boots.

[Rozlin Jane]

I have a question about the yoke. I'm very new to the knitting world, and this mega big, you said it right, cardi vest is my first large piece.

The problem is, I've finished the yoke twice, and pulled it out twice. it comes out shaped like a z, when I know it should be U shaped, from referring to the diagram on the pattern. I think the problem is happening when I increase 19 sts.

I know it is very had for you to tell, but I was hoping you might have a clue where a beginner would go wrong.

I'm also frustrated having to decrese on ribbing. it looks horrible!

thanks for anything you can offer.

Roz

[Sandy]

I'm knitting this vest. But I have a question about the york. After working the 1st 2 rows in k1, p1 rib (27 sts), there is an increase 1 st in the 3rd row after working 18 sts and then rib to end. My question is how you work the row after that? Seems thats not k1, p1 anymore. I'm very appreciate if you can share with me. Thank you very much.