First May FO
My new strategy to get myself to finish a sweater without dragging it out for months has worked. I cast on for Alpine, a free pattern from Berroco, a month ago but haven't blogged about it or posted it on Ravelry. I thought maybe if I didn't show it or talk about it, I'd be more motivated to actually finish it. And it worked: one month from start to finish! (Of course, it helps that this cardi is cropped and has short sleeves . . . )
Pattern: Alpine, a free pattern from Berroco
Yarn: Berroco Peruvia in maize
Needles: US6 and US8
Modifications: Knit the body 1.5 inches longer than pattern specified, and the sleeves 1 inch longer. Wish I'd made the sleeves at least another inch longer, though.
Overall, I'm happy with it. I love the pretty neck bind off. I don't like so much the button being off-center and the way the frontband ribbing pulls out. However, you can see both of those things right on the pattern, so who can I blame? Just another instance of knitterly denial.
The fit, especially in the sleeves, is a little snug, but that's purposeful. I knit it for future-me, not current-me. I've lost 10 pounds since beginning of March and will be losing more, so I didn't want this cardi to fit perfectly right now. Having it be just a little small gives me motivation to keep going!
Even so, if I were to knit this again, I'd use the larger needle for the body and sleeve ribbing. That way, you wouldn't have to knit the front bands separately and sew them on - you could just knit them right along with the two fronts. (That might help the frontband ribbing lie flat, too.) And for layering, looser sleeves is always a good thing, so no matter what size I made this, I'd work the sleeve ribbing on the larger needle.
I'm very happy with the button. It's coconut, from JoAnn's:
Several of my lace projects remain unbloggable, because they're either design projects or gifts. But I can show you progress on a washcloth I'm making using the new organic cotton, Simply Cotton, from Knit Picks:
That's the Chinese Waves dishcloth from Maggie's Rags. Very easy and quick to work. I can't say I'm a fan of worsted weight cotton, but this yarn might change my mind. It's softer and more flexible than you'd expect from a cotton, and it's not shredding at all. I'm looking forward to seeing how it behaves after washing. There's a very informative post on the Knit Picks blog about this yarn, if you're curious.
I'm already thinking about sweaters for fall, pondering which yarns in my stash to pair with which patterns. But first things first. You know that stylish mitered sleeveless top by Norah Gaughan in the summer issue of Vogue Knitting? It's been calling to me since the magazine arrived in my mailbox. Yesterday, I bought yarn for it (on sale, natch)--Classic Elite's Classic Silk:
Swatching will ensue, maybe even today. . .
Pattern: Alpine, a free pattern from Berroco
Yarn: Berroco Peruvia in maize
Needles: US6 and US8
Modifications: Knit the body 1.5 inches longer than pattern specified, and the sleeves 1 inch longer. Wish I'd made the sleeves at least another inch longer, though.
Overall, I'm happy with it. I love the pretty neck bind off. I don't like so much the button being off-center and the way the frontband ribbing pulls out. However, you can see both of those things right on the pattern, so who can I blame? Just another instance of knitterly denial.
The fit, especially in the sleeves, is a little snug, but that's purposeful. I knit it for future-me, not current-me. I've lost 10 pounds since beginning of March and will be losing more, so I didn't want this cardi to fit perfectly right now. Having it be just a little small gives me motivation to keep going!
Even so, if I were to knit this again, I'd use the larger needle for the body and sleeve ribbing. That way, you wouldn't have to knit the front bands separately and sew them on - you could just knit them right along with the two fronts. (That might help the frontband ribbing lie flat, too.) And for layering, looser sleeves is always a good thing, so no matter what size I made this, I'd work the sleeve ribbing on the larger needle.
I'm very happy with the button. It's coconut, from JoAnn's:
Several of my lace projects remain unbloggable, because they're either design projects or gifts. But I can show you progress on a washcloth I'm making using the new organic cotton, Simply Cotton, from Knit Picks:
That's the Chinese Waves dishcloth from Maggie's Rags. Very easy and quick to work. I can't say I'm a fan of worsted weight cotton, but this yarn might change my mind. It's softer and more flexible than you'd expect from a cotton, and it's not shredding at all. I'm looking forward to seeing how it behaves after washing. There's a very informative post on the Knit Picks blog about this yarn, if you're curious.
I'm already thinking about sweaters for fall, pondering which yarns in my stash to pair with which patterns. But first things first. You know that stylish mitered sleeveless top by Norah Gaughan in the summer issue of Vogue Knitting? It's been calling to me since the magazine arrived in my mailbox. Yesterday, I bought yarn for it (on sale, natch)--Classic Elite's Classic Silk:
Swatching will ensue, maybe even today. . .
posted by Bonnie at 5/03/2009
6 Comments:
Oh, wow, that's a really nice start to May! What a great sweater. I love the yarn color and button too.
What a pretty sweater! I think it looks really nice!
I'm struggling with sweater sizes myself. After all, I don't want to knit something that I will hopefully be too small to wear soon...but then I hate to pick a too-small size not knowing what I'll be when!
Love that new sweater!! I am running to that site to check out the pattern. (I guess right after I put two afghans together, right?)
I love it! It's gorgeous. I want one, and it's perfect for my sister too. Fabulous work.
What lovely knitting! Thanks for the dishcloth link...the sweater is scrumptious, and don't you LOVE the Knitpicks Simply Cotton?
(((hugs)))
Thanks for your comments about the Simply Cotton yarn. I've been looking for something in cotton a little nicer than the Peaches and Creme or Sugar N Cream.
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