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Monday, March 02, 2009

My Climbing Vines

I have a finished sweater, and it fits!

Pattern: Climbing Vines Pullover (Ravelry link) by Joelle Meier Rioux, Interweave Knits winter 2008
Yarn: Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran Tweed (85% merino, 10% silk, 5% cashmere), colorway 130/Lavender, approximately 8.75 skeins
Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) and US 5 (3.75 mm) Knit Picks Options
Started/Completed: February 7/February 27
Mods: added two extra inches in length to the sleeves to make them full length; added an extra inch of ribbing to the neck

This sweater was a true experiment. I went down a needle size and still didn't get gauge but determined that going down two needle sizes would have resulted in a stiff fabric. So I measured my swatch, did a few calculations, and figured out that knitting the 34 1/2" size should end up in a sweater to fit the measurements of the 38" size, which is what I wanted. As you can see, it did work out in the end, and the sweater fits just as I wanted it to, but I had to make a couple of adjustments.

Because I had fewer stitches per inch and fewer rows per inch, I ran into some difficulties when working the top part of the front. I had to work more rows to reach the desired length for the front, meaning I was further along in the lace panel than I would have been had I gotten gauge, so I had to fudge the neckline shaping. Then, the sections of the front on either side of the neck were narrower than they should have been -- the sweater was actually falling off my shoulders when I tried it on before picking up for the neckband -- so I added some more length to that ribbing to compensate.

I only realized midway through the sleeves that, as written, they would only be about 3/4 length. I didn't want shorter sleeves for this particular sweater, so I added an additional two inches or so of length to make them full length.

Finishing this sweater was much easier than I was expecting, and, in fact, I finished seaming everything in one evening. The sleeves in particular were the easiest I've ever set in. I picked up less stitches for the neckband than called for because of my gauge issues; I just made sure I had a multiple of four that filled the space adequately and went with it.

As to the yarn, I quite liked working with it, although I did encounter a fair amount of VM. I do love the rustic, nubby look it has, and after wearing this sweater all day on Saturday, I can attest to its warmth. My 10 skeins were enough to knit the entire sweater, including two gauge swatches, with enough left over for a hat or maybe a pair of fingerless mitts.

The Mister has declared this my Best Sweater Yet, and I'm inclined to agree with him. I got many compliments on it throughout the day from knitters and nonknitters alike, including one you might recognize:

19 comments:

  1. Love it, way to modify!

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  2. it's beautiful - it looks perfect on you! funny enough, i was just looking at this pattern today, i think now i'll definitely make it!

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  3. Anonymous7:46 AM

    It's lovely! How do you knit a sweater so fast? I did manage to finish my FLS (not posted yet) on Saturday, but that took me a long time to knit. I'm now trying to tackle my hourglass sweater and get that finished.

    Great work. I just love seeing your creations and you're braver than I with all the modifications.

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  4. Anonymous8:15 AM

    Looks great! I'm working with the DK weight of this yarn and was surprised by the amount of VM, but agree with you on its look and texture.

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  5. It looks wonderful - such a flattering fit!

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  6. Great job! How cool you got to show it off to Franklin Habit :-)

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  7. It's fabulous! Great job modding, it's a great fit and looks terrific on you!

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  8. It's truly gorgeous! And I am glad you wore it for the signing!

    (Glad also that your pic turned out -- I was worried it wouldn't!)

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  9. Fantastic sweater, and even greater that you changed it so much with the gauge. I see that you know a witty knitter too, Franklin looks as though he approves of the sweater as well.

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  10. Anonymous9:15 AM

    sarah, it looks FABULOUS!! you should be very proud of it!

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  11. Anonymous1:39 PM

    It looks incredible on you, Sarah! I only hope that some day I can 'make alterations' to a sweater to make it fit. You are an expert! Yep...I recognize THAT celebrity! How exciting.

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  12. Anonymous1:50 PM

    The sweater is awesome and looks fantastic on you! Great picture of you and Franklin.

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  13. Looks good. Nicely done!

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  14. Great fit!! Your vines came out perfect! :o)

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  15. Anonymous12:43 AM

    HAH!!!!! I finally know what you look like! You're so pretty! and a damn fast knitter. And you know my dear, I will always hate you for that. :)

    Great looking sweater though. Good job!

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  16. I am constantly amazed by how fast you finish projects! This sweater came out beautifully, and what a great color choice!

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  17. Popin' over from PGH Craft Collective! I love your blog and your sweater! Someday I hoe to knit sweaters - I'm a bit wet behind the ears. :)

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  18. Such a gorgeous color on you, this truly is a stupendous sweater:)

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  19. Anonymous10:22 AM

    I'm a little late with my oooos and ahhhhs, but better late than never :-)
    Gorgeous pullover Sarah! I really like the changes you made esp. that nice wide edging on the neck - sometimes everything just works out perfectly and it looks like it did for you!!

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