This was my last finished project of 2019 – and I was very tempted to cast on version 2 straight away.

Midstream comes from Anna’s second book Marlisle, and it’s been on my want-to-make list forever.

I wanted to make this using our yarn, and that meant playing around a little to get a combination that worked. In the end combining DK BFL Masham and Britsock and going down a needle size worked out beautifully. The fabric is sturdy enough to be properly cosy while keeping some drape.

As always Anna gives you so much more than just a simple set of instructions. There are notes about altering for a better fit and two options for joining the sleeves to the body. There’s a discussion about purling v knitting. There’s a bit of family history. I reckon I could curl up and read Marlisle in the same way I read cookbooks – it’s partly about the process but the best books (and this is absolutely without doubt a best book) give you so much more.

The vast majority of this sweater is purled, and it’s amazing how quickly that becomes normal. I tend to do a lot of garter stitch knitting or knit in the round, so the vast majority of my stitches are knitted. It’s not that I don’t like to purl, just that I don’t so it so much.

So much love for these almost invisible yoke decreases – I reckon blocking will make them vanish

I can already see a version in just Britsock as a warmer weather sweater – and I’d love to combine a more variegated yarn with a solid for some extra drama.

There’s something very soothing about a project which keeps you warm as it grows. It’s like a promise of good things to come.

I’m now planning my next sweater from Marlise, and once my colourwork has had a bit of practise I’ll be casting on again. And yes. I will get this sweater washed and blocked. I just need to stop wearing it first.