Pentagon Proliferation

One of my favorite knitwear designers, Norah Gaughan, has cover sweaters in four current magazines: Vogue Knitting Winter 2006/07 (pictured with pentagon 1), Interweave Knits Winter 2006, Knitter's Winter 2006, and Knitscene Spring 2007 (not pictured). Congratulations, Norah!



Although I think the Nantucket Jacket in IK is the most wearable of the four designs, I couldn't resist the modular cabled bolero in VK. The onset of frigid temperatures may have something to do with the enhanced appeal of bold texture or perhaps it's my inner diva nature speaking. In any case, I can't stop knitting pentagons! (My digicam's color balance is off – that's the same towel photography background in each photo.)

      

The pattern is well-written, with clear diagrams, a tutorial for knitters new to modular knitting, and suggestions for modifications. I loathe seaming, so I'm knitting the medallions in the round (omitting the two selvedge stitches) using Patons Classic Wool in colorway 201 Winter White. In the monochrome, highly textured fabric, the jog where the rounds begin and end is barely noticeable.

Perhaps the only shortcomings of the pattern are its fabulousness quotient, its tendency to emphasize the boobal area, and its unfortunate portmanteau name, capecho. The first two are not so much an issue for me – [shrug] it's not for everyone. The last seems odd, considering generally capes and ponchos lack sleeves and have A-lines, and this cropped sweater has sleeves and skims the ribcage. Or perhaps I have the wrong suitcases... surely Ms. Gaughan wasn't thinking of capecho and hexecho computer code???

Pentagons do not tile perfectly in two dimensions, so in three dimensions the finished garment will have considerable shaping, an elegant rarity among modular garments. I'm eager to see how it will drape – more pentagons to come.