Well let’s see…
I started this on October 27th of last year…8 months ago? Since it’s me and since I know how ingrained and well established my tendency to procrastinate is, I’d say that anything less than a year was acceptable for getting this done. Laudable, even :) Still, there aren’t going to be any speed prizes here. Bron, sweetie? Your crown is safe :)
It’s finally done. It is a bit big, but it will be fine for layering over things when colder weather returns. In fact I wore it Wednesday when I went to lunch with my father because, at least here in the northern MA/southern NH area, the temperature never got out of the low 50s all day.
There are things I would do differently next time - like not make it so big? Heheh… Well, and while the kimono type sleeve was the best compromise I could make with the huge armscyes, they’re not all that wonderful. Although I will say they don’t seem to get caught or tangled in things which I was afraid long loose sleeves would do. Frankly, I don’t need the help :) I don’t dislike the neck treatment, but that was done when I still thought I was going to be making the Licorice Whip and so doesn’t quite go with the rest of the sweater. I knew then, when I discovered the funkiness with the pattern, that I should have just ripped everything out and started over again but I figured this was going to take me a long time to finish anyway and ripping it back would only prolong the agony fun :)
On the other hand, the tension is good and the stitches look nice and even. The sleeves came out the right length - and both the same! It was while working on this that I discovered how nice a purl bind-off looks and what a useful technique it can bee. I now have a reasonable idea of how raglan shaping works and definitely like the top-down technique with one caveat…working sleeves in the round is a pain in the tuchus. I think if I did this kind of style again, I’d be tempted to make it a little longer and maybe to add pockets…I like pockets :) It doesn’t quite look “home-made” as opposed to “hand-made” and really, for a first knitted sweater, I feel that’s triumph enough!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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First sweater? You did a great job! AND it’s wearable…. Well done!
The sweater looks great, period!!! But for a first sweater it really looks great!!!!! I love the seed or moss stitch whatever ya call it. And, from a fellow procrastinator, hey I think getting it done within a year is worthy of a Congressional Medal of Honor. I don’t really think it is procrastination though, I look at it as you are such a creative person you have to divy out your time to all the various admirable projects in the world.
Looks great! And for a first sweater never mind one you designed yourself it is truly amazing.
Fabulous!
A first sweater??!! Really? Well, then pat yourself on the back for a job well done and a phobia overcome!
ditto peggy’s remarks about you working on so many other things during the sweater’s gestation!
it’s lovely, and i like hearing you’ve already given it a trip out in public- i like the kind of sweater that provides layering and think those kimono sleeves are nifty- (congrats too on not trailing them through the gravy!)
so, what is the next sweater you are already planning for???
stay happy-
Beautiful sweater!
You can knit sleeves on a top down raglan flat and seam them afterwards. My hang-up with top down sweaters is deciding do I do the sleeves before the body or after the body. I’m leaning more to the before scenario because that way I don’t have to deal with the body weighting me down as I go round and round on the sleeves.
i think it looks gorgeous! be proud!
Ev - Thanks! However, I’ve seen some of your sweater work and it’s sure not up to that - yet :) But the fact that it can be worn in public without too much dismay gives me hope for future garments of this type!
Peggy - “...you are such a creative person you have to divy out your time to all the various admirable projects in the world. “
Gosh, what a nice way to put it! Trust me though, this really was procrastination :) Well, that and the project was bulky so I had to put it away whenever I finished whatever work I was going to do on it that day. You know how that goes - out of sight, out of mind…
Omly, Kathleen, Rob, Opal - Thanks guys, you’re all very kind :)
Barb - It took me 8 months to finish this one and you want me to make another one? Well, I probably will but I want to think a while on what I want and the best way to go about making it :)
I keep thinking a cabled coat (not a jacket or a cardigan) would be nice but I also think I’d acquire a pronounced stoop trying to stand up under the weight of something like that - heheh…
Charlotte - You know, I hadn’t thought about doing the sleeves first but it’s definitely something to give some thought to. Knitting them flat and then seaming is also something to consider - I’m not afraid of sewing :) Thanks for those thoughts!
Truimph, indeed! REvel in your first jumper-ness! Its great, pretty and a useful addition to your wardrobe - everything a handmade jumper should be! ~
Nat - LOL! Thanks so much, dear :) I’m happy with it - but it’s not up to your amazing work. First jumperness, eh? I love it!
:::adjusting crown, which had fallen over my ear:::
Robbyn, sweetheart, I think that’s a perfectly wonderful sweater and I applaud you for going back & finishing that sucker. And YOU CAN WEAR IT!
Oh,honey - that’s almost ALL the battle. ::wink:: I don’t think I wore the first 3 sweaters I made…heck, don’t ask how many of my FO’s I wear today! hehehehe
Did you know there’s a knitting book coming out in the fall that is entirely based on the kimono?? I think it would be worth a look-see just to find out how all those kimono sleeves are handled. ;) It’s called “Knit Kimono” by Vicki Square.
The sweater looks wonderful and will be warm this winter. I love the color too. Glad you finished it and it fits. Like Bron said…That is the best part, you can wear it :)
I know I had one or two sweater that did not fit after all the work :(
::bowing in the direction of Albuquerque::
My Knitting Liege :) - Why thanks! Wearability is definitely a good thing and it tickles me that this is - wearable.
I will definitely keep an eye our for the book - sounds like there could be some very interesting ideas therein…
Maureen - To be honest, I’m not so sure I cared so much about the sweater’s “wearability” as I just needed to get it done so it would stop haunting me :)
But its wearability is a nice plus - since that was the idea in the first place!
