Knitting

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Knit Mabel’s Sweater from Only Murders

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I didn’t expect to like the show “Only Murders in the Building” as much as I do, but one draw of the show, in which neighbors investigate murders for their true-crime podcast, is definitely the costumes, especially the knitwear.

Selena Gomez’s character Mabel wears a lot of great knits, and Joji Locatelli was inspired a yellow sweater featured in the very first episode of the show.

This top down waddle textured pullover is knit in Mabel’s signature yellow color, but you can use any fingering weight yarn you like. The design is actually pretty simple as it uses regular ribbing and fisherman’s rib, which looks like brioche but is a lot easier to do.

The pattern comes in 9 sizes, with actual bust circumference measurements ranging from 30.5 to 62.5 inches, or 76 to 156 cm. It’s meant to be worn with 2-4 inches/5-10 cm of positive ease, so you can pick the size that fits you best with that in mind.

The somewhat close fit and raglan sleeves make this sweater easy to wear and it’s sure to be a new favorite for fall and to layer with in colder weather. This one reminds me of some of my favorite textured tops that I’ve purchased, and I actually already bought this pattern so I can make one as soon as I make some room in my knitting schedule.

You can get your copy of the pattern on Ravelry. While you’re there take a scroll through the projects gallery so you can see how it looks in different colors and on different bodies if you’re not into the yellow. There are lots of really pretty options in there!

If you’ve never worked fisherman’s rib before, it’s really easy, but if you want some practice before you take on this project, check out my fisherman rib scarf, which is worked on big needles and is a super quick knit to get you comfortable with the concept.

[Photo: Joji Locatelli]

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Comments

  1. I’m just getting into Only Murders in the Building, and I’m loving every piece of knit wear. Mabel’s sweaters, Steve Martin’s cardigans, and Martin Short’s scarves and sweaters really make the show. I grew up watching Steve Martin and Martin Short, and they are the best comedic duo.

Have you read?

Book Review: Magical Woodland Knits

Magical Woodland Knits by Clare Garland is a few years old as I write this, but it’s such a fun book I couldn’t resist sharing it. Step into a magical forest full of realistic woodland creatures including rabbit, deer and squirrel, birds and mice, to name a few.

In all there are 12 creatures, and though they are rather small (the wolf is the largest at 14.5 inches/37 cm tall and 18.5 inches/47 cm long), they are so detailed these are definitely not projects for new knitters. 

One of the smaller projects, for example, is the robin, at 5/5 inches/14 cm long. It calls for nine different kinds of yarn. Sometimes some are held together, while others are worked with on their own. This pattern only includes three pages of instructions, but the print is rather small and in that time there are six different sets of short rows. None of this makes it too difficult for a knitter with experience reading detailed patterns, working short rows and working with multiple strands of yarn at once, but it’s worth knowing going in that even for small projects you’ll need a lot of supplies and time to work on them.

These are also not meant to be children’s toys, as they can include wires and other supports that could be a danger to little ones.

The process photos often look like taxidermy on a tiny scale, with little animal pelts stretched out and tons of stitch markers showing where and how things go together.

The finished animals are so pretty it’s certainly worth the effort to stitch up these creatures. You might be tempted to make all 12 and set up your own forest scene or use them to decorate your Christmas tree. You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

Along the way you’ll also find a little folklore about the animals, charming drawings and pretty photos of the finished animals, too. In the back you’ll find some helpful techniques like picking up stitches, making I-cord and working short rows.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 12 patterns. Published 2020 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.