The Treysta Sweater
This winter I made the Treysta sweater by Jennifer Steingass. It was another one of those “I must have this” cast-on’s totally spurred on by an Instagram post by Tuku Wool. I’ve made mine in the more accessible (to me) Hillesvåg Tinde yarn which is one of my all time favourite yarns for colourwork. It’s a sticky rustic wool from the Norwegian pelt sheep creates such a deep saturated colour and a wonderful lustre that is just… well, lovely.
Pattern: Treysta
Designer: Jennifer Steingass
Yarn: Hillesvåg Tinde & Sol
Colourways: 2107 Lime, 2103 Cognac, 2137 Støvet Rosa and Koksgrå
I carefully sourced my yarn and dutifully swatched in the round. Got gauge on fairly large needles, I had to go one size down for the stockinette on the arms and body to match my gauge from the colourwork, something I don’t normally need to do when i work with tighter gauges. I tend to knit colourwork garments that are either 28 / 30 st to 10 cm, so working at a 18 st gauge felt like I was zipping through in no time at all.
Knitting on trains
I cast on whilst travelling for a work meeting and had a glorious 6 hour train ride to Oslo knitting away like a fiend. On the way back up north my mojo was interrupted about an hour away from home and just a few rounds from completing the yoke as I ran out of the charcoal grey.
When travelling in Norway, especially on trains you will always spot a knitter or two. We nod knowingly to each other when passing and if the trip is lengthy enough we might even work up the courage to have a chat. This time it happened to the lady sitting in the seat next to me going back up north that took the plunge into woolly conversation. She actually turned out to be a sheep farmer with a flock of Grå Trønder and Spelsau, wondering what she might be able to do with the fleeces she was currently sorting and saving at the farm just because she had not the heart to throw them away. I recommended her to check with the local mill Selbu Spinneri and I would love to know how that turned out. I am kicking myself for not making a note of her name and the name of the farm… I believe it was located in the next valley over.
But let’s get back to the actual knitting!
Details to note
Hidden increases in the yoke pattern work beautifully. New to me technique for picking up stitches seamlessly, no knitting in back/front loop leaving a little purl on the front. Knitting tech skill points + 1.
Short rows worked on the back below the yoke pattern to raise back of neckline. Takes up the neckline just enough.
Very flattering waist shaping on the body. I don’t normally do the shaping on pullovers, so glad i did. What seems to look so exaggerated when flat just looks so flattering once you wear it.
I decided to add a folded rib neckline as i thought the garter stitch neck was a bit open and was afraid it would roll. This worked fine, but after a few months of wear it became too hot for me and i took it back out! Neckline is now back to the original design and I am getting more wear out of it. Must update with photos of that in the future.
The fabric created by the Tinde Pelsullgarn is really wearing well and i think I’ll have a beautiful looking garment for years to come!
