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January 08, 2007
what was I thinking? (part 1)
When I was visiting my parents before Christmas, I decided to order myself a present that would be waiting for me in Portland when I returned. I went to elann.com and ordered enough Classic Elite Skye Tweed to knit a sweater. I could have gone for purple or red or orange; but, no I picked a plain, neutral color called Partridge.
Now, in theory, there is nothing wrong with this yarn in this color. And, in fact, while in the ball it is quite attracting. However, I found once I began knitting with it that it put me somewhat in the mind of knitting with dryer lint--plain, neutral dryer lint. Purple dryer lint may have been a better choice.
And yet, it's not completely repellent--not unpleasant enough to make me stop knitting. On the contrary, it compels me to knit on in the hope that I'm just overreacting and it's really going to turn out OK in the end. It'll be OK eventually, right? I haven't done this again, have I? Oh crap, I have. I've started something and then become disenchanted and now I'm teetering on the edge.
But still, I've managed to knit the entire back and one arm of a sweater. What sweater? Something I've been planning on knitting for ages? No, a pattern picked as spontaneously as the yarn. It's a sweater from the Winter 01/02 Interweave Knits with the plain, neutral name of the Tweedy Aran Cardigan. Why that one? Beats me. I was looking through my old Interweaves for ideas and this was the 'winner.' It was designed by Norah Gaughan. I love her. What's not to like?
Well, I think my gauge is off, which is so unfair because I swatched, dammit, everything looked fine. However, I now find that although my stitch gauge is more or less on, my row gauge is most certainly off. Rassenfrassen!! This means that if I continue to push on, I will have to recalculate the cap shaping on the set-in sleeve. Bleh! I can do it, but...WHY SO DIFFICULT!?
Plus, to add injury to insult, look at my first sleeve attempt. Notice anything funny?
Try counting the number of ribs on each side of the cable. YEAARGH, not the same! Unless I missed something, this is a mistake in the pattern that was not in the corrections. No matter, already redone and centered.
I will press on. It is yet to be determined whether this is a winner or a loser.
09:21 PM | Permalink
Comments
I prefer neutrals. Perhaps not the most exciting to knit with, but I feel more comfortable when I'm dressed in neutrals. I think it's pretty, M. Knit on!
Posted by: Kerstin at Jan 9, 2007 4:02:17 AM
I'm with Kerstin on this. I think a beautiful pattern (as is the one you selected) in a neutral color will go with everything. In your pictures the color looks beautiful. Neutral, yes but still beautiful.
Posted by: Lou at Jan 9, 2007 6:33:23 AM
I agree...the more neutral yarn is going to show off that pattern really well, and it'll look good with lots of stuff - I'll bet the finished product will be beautiful!
Posted by: Lydia / Windansea at Jan 9, 2007 7:21:08 AM
Press on. Although it may not be the most exciting to knit, this sweater looks like it could be the one you reach for again and again. btw, it looks extremely well-knit :-)
Posted by: kmkat at Jan 9, 2007 7:33:28 AM
Nothing new to add... the color really shows off the stitches, and it will never go out of fashion! It's the best possible choice for all your hard work.
Posted by: Joan at Jan 9, 2007 11:09:43 AM
Michelle: It's great to see you blogging about your knitting again. I learn so much from you. Do press on.
Posted by: Susan G at Jan 9, 2007 12:38:02 PM
The color definitely shows off the stitch texture beautifully. I have the same frustrations with row gauge, so on a current project I am knitting the sleeves down (and keeping my fingers crossed in between rows)...although it would be more of a hassle in anything else than stockinette.
Posted by: Laura at Jan 9, 2007 6:56:58 PM
You can always dye the sweater after your finished if you finally do decide you prefer purple lint.
The Skye tweed sure looks nice knitted up in you pictures.
Posted by: BigAlice at Jan 10, 2007 12:49:11 PM
I like the traditional color in a textured pattern, and it looks like the stitch definition is really good! I've never worked with that yarn before, is it nice?
Posted by: ivete at Jan 10, 2007 9:04:31 PM
you are fabulous, m, and so is that sweater! just think: it will go with absolutely ANYTHING.
see you monday?
Posted by: shannon squire at Jan 11, 2007 3:07:36 PM
Everyone esle was so supportive...telling you to knit on...I feel like there's something wrong with me because I say, "Put it Down!" Leave it alone for awhile. Knit something else and come back to it when you're not hating it! Why knit with your teeth clenched?!
Posted by: Knitting Bandit at Jan 11, 2007 11:35:41 PM
I'm new to knitting and wonder how you can correct ROW gauge. I think this is a mistake I'm making.
I admire anyone who takes on a sweater!!!
Posted by: Celeste at Jan 23, 2007 6:42:58 AM
Just a thought on that asymmetry...in sewing, the "center" of a sleeve is never really the center. It's closer to the front of the arm, so this **may** have been done on purpose--but only if there are separate directions for each sleeve, which would be really trick. In knitting, it doesn't matter as much, but in sewing, the armseye is shallower in the front than in the back, so if you have a design in the geometric center of the sleeve, its going to look farther back on the arm, when seen from the side. Whatever.... Might be something to pursue for really high end couture knitting...
which I of course, do all the time : )
Posted by: ellen at Feb 9, 2007 6:54:09 AM
