I’m knitting another sweater: The End! Sort of!
the sweater: Ribby Cardi
the yarn: Cotton Ease in Stone
the previous entries: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
I'm finally, finally finished.
I added an orange zipper so that the light gray wouldn't be too boring. I think it works. When all zipped up you get only a peek of orange at the top and bottom of the zipper.
I added a glitter charm from Glamscience's Etsy shop, I really like how the silver blends into the yarn and it's just a bit or orange sparkle.
The above picture is also a good detail to show where I left live stitches and picked up stitches to join the collar, again it's more comfortable. The sweater is fitted enough that I don't think it will eventually pull down on the collar. Also, the high collar doesn't feel like it's choking me, yay.
I'm generally happy with it. All the time I spent on finishing the sweater makes it very wearable. Whereas the first one was too big and looks a little frumpy (though, so comfortable). This one is a size smaller and more fitted. I was being careful to not make the sleeves and body too long and I think being conservative here worked against me, I could use another inch of length in the hem, sleeves and collar. I made this one seamless, so I knit all the pieces of the body in one flat part, and the sleeves in the round, and only seamed the arms to the body. For a sweater without much ease, it definitely makes a difference in the sillouette. I think it looks better, and the arm movement is freer (it sort of makes me want to wave my arms around like a crazy person, actually). I like it, and plan on making sweater with as few seams as I can in the future.
update: After wearing it twice I've decided it's just too short for me as it's a good two inches above the hem of the type of shirt I wear most often. And I'd like the sleeves to be a wee bit longer and the collar to be a tiny bit higher. So I'm going to undo it and add length (again) before the yarn gets that broken in look and I cannot add any more. Clearly I'm a masochist. But I just know that if I don't fix it this will be an unworn sweater, and I don't need to add anything to the pile of shamefully unused objects. Perhaps once it's actually finished I can nominate it for the Most Finished Sweater of the Year.
Maybe I'll make the neck hole a bit deeper this time. I'm surprised to find that the higher neck doesn't feel too tight despite the fact that it doesn't have any room, but I could use a little more room in there. And I might shape the back of the neck just a little, it's creating a slight bulge at the center back of the neck.
After going up a few needle sizes trying to get gauge for the Central Park Hoodie with the Berroco Comfort yarn I started wondering if this project would be better done with a larger yarn, and saving the Comfort to make Chicknit's Twist. I have a couple of skeins of my favorite, favorite Inca Cotton and was doing a bit of research when I came across this entry at Crazy for Ewe about how yard for yard Inca Cotton is actually less expensive than Lion Brand Organic Cotton. I'm definitely going to be looking into making a yummy soft Inca Cotton sweater for myself. Maybe next.
Also, after trying out knitting Comfort on a few different types of plastic needles, including the nice and flexy Bruspun circulars, I've decided I'd rather go with some nice bamboo since the acrylic yarn, no matter how soft, still squeaks against plastic needles.
categories: knitting
That's beautiful. I love the orange.
Cheers!
d
Comment by Deborah — January 31, 2008 @ 9:21 am
It looks great, I love the bright orange zipper. It provides great contrast.
Comment by Kristi — January 31, 2008 @ 9:48 am
Thanks!
Comment by megan — January 31, 2008 @ 10:37 am
Love the orange with the grey!
Comment by Jennie — January 31, 2008 @ 10:38 am
I also love the orange zipper and the glitter charm. And I think you're a brave woman for undoing it and starting over. But I know exactly what you're talking about - when the length of something is off and it never feels right, I just don't ever wear it.
Comment by Elizabeth — January 31, 2008 @ 10:42 am
So beautiful! You do great work!
Comment by Rebecca — January 31, 2008 @ 11:16 am
I LOVE the way the orange zipper pops from the gray sweater when it's unzipped!!!
Comment by Laurie — January 31, 2008 @ 11:43 am
That turned out fantastic Megan! The Central Park Hoodie is a fun knit. Can't wait to see yours.
Comment by Melissa — January 31, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
As a beginning knitter (all I know up to this point is "cast on", "knit", and "cast off"), all I can say is....WOW! That is just beautiful!
Comment by Dava — January 31, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
Dava - Once you learn to increase and decrease you'll know everything you need to make this sweater. I recommend it as a first sweater, easy and satisfying. You can buy the pattern (about $6) at Chicknits.
Comment by megan — January 31, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
it's fantastic!
the orange zipper is such a great detail!
Comment by melissa — January 31, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
I'm not particularly surprised about how Lion Brand is more expensive than some other brands. I noticed a long time ago that in many cases, their put-ups are less than their competitors - LB will have a 40 gram ball, same yarn by someone else will be 50 grams. Ten grams might not seem like a lot, but if you're talking sweater quantities, that 20% cut in ball size can add up. :P
Comment by Emy — January 31, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
The orange looks most awesome! Good for you for having the fortitude to fix the sweater. I'm sure you'll be much happier with it.
Comment by Lynn in Tucson — January 31, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
Heaven help me, I'm saying NO!!!1!! In my mind as I'm reading about how you're going to rip out this finished sweater. I mean, I know it needs to be done, but...I feel your pain.
Comment by Carolyn J. — January 31, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
How much do I love that orange zipper? So, so much.
I respect your resolve enormously to rip out and re-do... I'm not sure I'd have that resolve, but you'll be a lot happier if it's the right length.
Comment by Elizabeth — January 31, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
I love surprises, and the orange zip, with the orange charm, is such a pretty, pretty surprise. Who would have thought that underneath that gray is an eye-popping orange sunburst?
Comment by Ellen — February 1, 2008 @ 12:56 am
very nice. I knit, or rather used to and now after reading your post I feel like taking it up again.
Comment by Ellen — February 1, 2008 @ 1:41 am
Thanks for the link, megan...I have it bookmarked for use when my skills improve a bit. :-)
Comment by Dava — February 1, 2008 @ 5:20 am
Thanks everybody! The sweater is already ripped back and is currently existing as a rectangle and two tubes. I'm trying to get it back together as quickly as I can so that I don't run out of steam.
Comment by megan — February 1, 2008 @ 11:28 am
WHere did you find the awesome zipper?? I can never find good zippers in my area. :(
Comment by Lisa — February 1, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Lisa - I ordered it from zipperstop.com, they carry a large variety of YKK zippers. This one is a two-way separating zipper that I cut to size (see entry #12 for the details).
Comment by megan — February 1, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
I'm knitting this right now in olive green and chocolate wool. I love the silver and orange. Looks great!!
Comment by Kimberly — February 3, 2008 @ 7:25 am
Love this sweater, I think the color combo really makes it "pop" good job. Kudos on the zipper!
Vicki
Comment by Vicki — February 3, 2008 @ 10:40 am
I covet this sweater. So pretty.
Comment by d — February 3, 2008 @ 7:09 pm
do you have enough room for your shoulders? mine, and so many others' i've seen, pulled the raglan seam way above where it seems it should sit, and it's languished and will be ripped out and reknit into something more suitable. just wondering if you had that issue?
Comment by gaile — February 4, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
Egads, I love that zipper! Seriously. And I generally don't put zippers into sweaters because I don't like how they look, but I think I may have to reconsider that...
Comment by Shannon — February 7, 2008 @ 12:38 pm