For those following along on Instagram, there are some make-a-longs going on that involve using patterns and yarns from BIPOC designers and dyers right now. Two of them that I know about are the #myrhinebipocsweater and #bipocmal2019. This sweater has Studio DK yarn by Neighborhood Fiber Company and the design is from the Sea Change issue of PomPom. The pattern is Astragal by Ainur Berkimbayeva.

I’ve never deliberately chosen a sweater knit entirely in reverse stockinette (almost all purling in the round) but this one was irresistible. It’s super cropped, so I will probably add some length. The yarn is super super soft. This color is called Canton and I previously purchased this color for a hat. I felt like it should also be in a bigger garment. I didn’t get quite the right gauge with this yarn. I think it’s a slightly heavier or rounder DK. I liked the look of the fabric, so I just chose to go down a size from what I planned to get the size I planned with a looser gauge.

I love the pattern detail. I really stands out in the reverse stockinette background. I have a few more inches of knitting to do before dividing sleeves and body and I really enjoyed watching the pattern develop. I did have to rip some of it once for reversing my mirrored decreases while tired, but otherwise it’s been pretty smooth sailing. I knit most of this while listening to Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell. It came out just a few days ago and I devoured it. I think I will probably pair the sweater and the book in my mind for some time, and it’s a nice pairing.

I have so much blog catching up to do! I feel like I say that every post. Someday, someday, maybe I’ll get there.