April 13, 2008
Lace and Cables Sweater... done
Done.
David took about a billion pictures, and I hate them all equally. It's a grey stormy day in Sydney, and we had to run out between rain showers. And the thunder is just moving back in again.
At any rate, the Lace and Cables Sweater is done.
Specs: Lace and Cables Sweater, by Jo Sharp, from Knit 2.
Yarn: Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette in Musk
Needles: Knit Picks Fixed Circulars in 3.25mm.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with it, but I do have a few complaints. (What else is new?) The body is a little short, and the sleeves are a little long. I can live with the sleeves, but I can tell I'm going to be pulling at the bottom of the sweater a lot. If I really can't live with it, I may end up undoing the cast on edge, and making it a bit longer, but I don't have much yarn left. From the picture I should have known it would be short, but I thought the model was just wearing her pants very low.
Half of the pictures that David took were vetoed because my tummy was showing.
The other complaint I have is the sizing. Jo Sharp has a big difference in her sizes, 10cm (4") to be precise. I fell smack in the middle of two sizes, so I took the safe route and went with the larger size, but now I wish I'd gone with the smaller. It's not a big deal, but I think it would be better a little more fitted.
The yarn is really, really nice to work with, and I'm happy with the resulting fabric. However, be warned, it is a little itchy to wear against the skin. It's nice and soft to knit though!
Posted by Donna at April 13, 2008 06:49 PMComments
Donna, this is stunning - the colour, pattern, everything!
Posted by: sandra at April 13, 2008 08:03 PMIt's gorgeous Donna and you look beautiful.
Posted by: bells at April 13, 2008 08:16 PMLovely!
I've found that I also mostly go on the safe side.... but with a 99% certainty I end up with a sweater that is actually too large.
So I've started to take the smaller size if I have to choose between two sizes.
Very pretty. I can see your issues (having abandoned not one, but two sweaters that expose my back every time I move) but I hope you can hang onto it. The cabling is lovely.
Posted by: jessie at April 13, 2008 09:43 PMLovely Donna! And on 3.25mm sticks too - I'm a bit scared about doing a jumper on such little sticks!
And I'm with you on the Jo Sharp sizing - 10cm is a big gap between sizes (and I find her sizes are quite generous too). But I think it looks great!
Posted by: roseredshoes at April 13, 2008 11:51 PMI like it! I think it looks good on you. Although the shortness thing would get on my nerves, too. :)
Posted by: Cathy at April 14, 2008 01:11 AMYou and the sweater look lovely. I really like the cables.
Posted by: KSee at April 14, 2008 06:00 AMIt's very pretty on you, but I know what you mean about pulling at the bottom of the sweater. Hopefully it won't be a big issue, because it's really lovely!
Posted by: Octopus Knits at April 14, 2008 06:29 AMDonna, it is very pretty. I love the color. I really have to look into the Jo Sharp books at my local shops.
I am starting to get the itch to knit a sweater, and not just one for my nephew which I really need to start. I haven't stopped buying lace patterns and yarn but sweaters are starting to call me.
Posted by: Suzanne at April 14, 2008 09:37 AMDonna, I just finished a sweater that is a bit short, so I do know what you mean. Next time I block it, I will try to pin it out a bit to perhaps give me half an inch or so. I should have heeded my friend's advice and made it a tad bit longer.
Your sweater looks beautiful and is a great design. You may want to lengthen it just a bit if you can.
Posted by: Wanda at April 14, 2008 09:37 AMI think it looks fantastic on you!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you may run into problems when you try and undo the cast-on edge to add length... when going the other way, the yarn between your stitches becomes your new stitches - no problem in stockinet, but in rib it means you will be half a stitch off the whole way around.
A better solution maybe to knit the extra length and then graft it - I know that will be terrible if you hate sewing thou!
Posted by: ginger_nut at April 14, 2008 09:58 AMI think it looks fantastic on you!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you may run into problems when you try and undo the cast-on edge to add length... when going the other way, the yarn between your stitches becomes your new stitches - no problem in stockinet, but in rib it means you will be half a stitch off the whole way around.
A better solution maybe to knit the extra length and then graft it - I know that will be terrible if you hate sewing thou!
Posted by: ginger_nut at April 14, 2008 09:59 AMIt looks beautiful! Thanks for the review about the length. I always have to add length to sweaters!
Posted by: Marlena at April 14, 2008 11:01 AMAbsolutely stunning!!
I love the colour and I would be going back to add the extra length or it will end up not being worn.
Posted by: Carol at April 14, 2008 11:11 AMI think it's stunning - it looks great on you Donna!
Posted by: Debi at April 14, 2008 11:49 AMIt looks beautiful, Donna! Perfect timing for the chilly weather! Too bad about the length... is it possible to block it out to make it a bit longer??
Posted by: claudine at April 14, 2008 11:50 AMYou look like a model from a knitting book: all misty and contemplative!! I always over-estimate my size, and even knowing this, I STILL do it!!
Great jumper though, love the pattern but I'm with you on the whole short thing!!!
It looks beautiful, but I understand completely about the sizing thing. I'm a bit surprised the yarn is a little itchy against the skin. I've not used it before, and thought it would have been really soft. The name makes it sound soft don't you think?
Posted by: Terri at April 14, 2008 02:39 PMIt looks beautiful on you Donna. You are an amazing knitter!
Posted by: Hope at April 14, 2008 06:13 PMDonna, simply gorgeous! Looks fabulous on you too.
Posted by: Janette at April 14, 2008 10:41 PMI happen to love these pictures. The sweater is gorgeous! Try wearing it with a pair of pants with a higher rise or even a skirt that sits at the waist. That might be easier than redoing the length, especially since you might not have enough yarn.
Posted by: Wool Winder at April 15, 2008 12:52 AMIt is very pretty. I think it suits you well. :)
Posted by: Samantha at April 15, 2008 02:01 AMI think it looks wonderful on you!
A little tip for inbetween sizes - knit the front one size larger than the back. The sleeve caps will require a little minor fussing as will the neckline to get all to line up. But worth it if the available sizes are too far off.
Posted by: jae at April 15, 2008 02:42 AMIt's beautiful! I love the color on you.
Posted by: monica at April 15, 2008 04:18 PMIt looks great - lovely and squooshy.
I too have run into trouble with Jo Sharp sizing. My lace panel sweater consistently has the sleeves rolled up, and I had to reknit a whole cardigan after I'd sewed up 3/4 of the seams. Since then I've been going for the smaller size - I always manage to fall between two.
Totally gorgeous. The color and pattern is so beautiful.
Posted by: Madame Purl at April 16, 2008 01:11 AMThe sweater is beautiful! Thank you so much for my pay it forward gift!! I love love love it!! :)
Posted by: Krystal at April 16, 2008 07:06 AMIt's gorgeous & looks great on you. I also find that Jo Sharp's sizing is not perfect & I always have to adjust the measurements. Thanks for the tip on the yarn as I hate itchy sweaters.
Posted by: Ann at April 16, 2008 12:52 PMOh wow, it looks so beautiful - I love the photos of YOU too :) Bummer about the 'bit too short' thing - I've had that problem before too, had to unpick the lower hem and knit more, but I had plenty of wool left over to do that with... Can you add on a lacey border in a lighter colour perhaps, as a 'design feature'?
Posted by: Jejune at April 16, 2008 10:31 PMNow that's what I call a sweater! Beautiful work Donna. :)
Posted by: Patrizia at April 17, 2008 09:16 PMGorgeous! Love the colour especially!
Posted by: Kessa at April 19, 2008 12:37 AMIt looks lovely. I think it would gorgeous with a higher skirt - I believe we are allowed to cover ourselves more generously this season!
Too bad about the itch.
Posted by: amanda j at April 19, 2008 03:09 PMBee-yoo-tea-full!
Posted by: Lynne at April 20, 2008 04:00 PM
It looks just beautiful Donna! Just lovely!
Posted by: Nat at April 13, 2008 07:49 PM