June 11, 2008
Something done, something begun, something not quite right!
We're going to talk about three projects today, something done, something begun, and something just not right.
Where to start? Lets start with Spirit!
What category do we think this might belong to? Maybe the "Something Done"?
Guess again. We have a problem.
It's perfectly fine as long as I don't move. This would be the "Something Just Not Right". Not happy. I'm going to seam up the neck opening a bit, and that will help with it falling off my shoulders, but it just doesn't look right. And if you look at the model, hers doesn't seem to plunge quite so deeply at the neckline. I followed the neckline instructions exactly, so I don't know what happened. I did make some changes to the pattern, but only in making the bottom half bigger to accommodate my shapely butt. From the waist up, it is exactly to the Small pattern.
Onwards to happier news.
Gretel.
Done! And this one turned out just fine.
Specs:
Pattern: Gretel by Ysolda Teague.
Size: Regular (the middle size)
Yarn: Cashmere Merino Silk Aran by Sublime Yarns, 2 skeins (barely!)
Needles: Knitpicks Options 3.75mm and 4mm.
I love this yarn. Seriously, love it. It's soft, it's squishy, it smells of silk, and is smoooooth. It's like knitting with butter. And the beret is pretty nifty, too! Happy with this knit, maybe I should stick to small projects and avoid clothing for myself, huh?
I am noticing that the stuff I knit for David and Em seems to come out okay, though.
And the something begun?
Inspired by a friend, I finally cast on a pair of Fetching. What took me so long? These fly off the needles. Modifications have been made, but I'll discuss those next time, or I'll have no blog fodder!
Posted by Donna at June 11, 2008 11:25 PMComments
What about a few strategically placed hook and eyes? You can barely see them and might help your, um, fit problem? I just got the yarn for Glee and plan on using hook and eyes on it. Good Luck! The beret looks FAB, by the way!
Posted by: Stacey at June 12, 2008 12:52 AMThat's a shame about Spirit because it looks great in the first picture. The hooks and eyes sound like a good idea. I was thinking maybe ties or toggle buttons. At least you don't have to re-knit the whole thing though.
Posted by: Restless Knitter at June 12, 2008 01:52 AMWell, it seems that the opening on the model begins at about the same place that the armholes begin. Yours seems lower. Don't know how the pattern was written, but a few well-placed hooks and eyes per Stacey or buttons per Restless Knitter should do the trick! Otherwise a rather glorious, soon-to-be-modified and -finished object!
Posted by: Kate at June 12, 2008 02:12 AMGretel looks so soft and beautiful! It has to be modeled! I rarely wear berets but I love them. How about adding a button to Spirit?
Posted by: Evelyn at June 12, 2008 02:35 AMDEvine beret!! How on earth (& I know you do no housework already) do you make time to blog, knit AND Ravel???
BTW, with the plunging neckline, a little seam will work a bit, but you can't make it too long or it will pull in the upper arms ... what about those fastener thingies which are a button thingie on each side with a little piece of chain in between. I'm sure you know what I mean. Or perhaps you could make something similar - some really nice buttons and a loop of something between them - tapestry yarn twist, or perhaps shiny embroidery floss, knitted into I cord or something. I think you need something to hold the neckline in place (which is a bit apart, and increasing as you go upwards) rather than hold the 2 sides together. Perhaps try a seam with some black yarn to see how far to go up, and when you've found the right length, seam it in the tapestry yarn. Good luck - it's a pain when this sort of things happen. I'm sure the stylists who do the photos spend their time attaching bulldog clips and large clothes pegs and safety pins to unseen bits of the knitwear to get it to look how they want!
I can only guess how frustrating the Spirit problem is, what if you knit a little 'v' shaped inset and seamed that in place? It might solve the potential of pulling at the arm holes and would make it more, um ... modest :-) Keep in mind I can only see it from a sewing point of view and I have no clue what I'm talking about.
Every thing else...fabulous as always, and the socks from your last post, awesome!
Posted by: shan at June 12, 2008 04:57 AMI was going to suggest a button or similar at the top of the v, before the collar begins, but I've been beaten to it (by everyone!!)
Gretel looks great. Lovely cables, lovely yarn, lovely knitting!
Posted by: roseredshoes at June 12, 2008 09:08 AMOoops, you know you will now have to make lots of Fetchings. Particularly for Em or yours will disappear. Ask me how I know this ;p
Posted by: Carol at June 12, 2008 09:18 AMOh that's a bummer. But the suggestions here are all good.
I felt the same way about fetching when I did my first pair. What took me so long!
Posted by: Bells at June 12, 2008 10:53 AMLove the Beret and Fetching. I really have to make a pair of those mitts.
The sweater is lovely, I hope sewing it up a little is all it takes or a button or two.
Posted by: Suzanne at June 12, 2008 11:17 AMLovely Gretel!
That sweater is probably not perfect on the model either. Maybe an inset panel in the plunge would help?
And Fetching. Yes, they're a quick knit, and so pretty in that yarn.
Posted by: jessie at June 12, 2008 10:54 PMWhat a pity about Spirit but I am sure you can fit it. Love the cables on the beret - it's gorgeous. Knitting mittens is fun & fast as I have just finished a pair in 2 days & knitting another pair now. Good luck with Spirit.
Posted by: Ann at June 13, 2008 11:10 AMBlasted cursed knitting.
Your ratio of lovely to yuck is pretty good though! I'm sure you will fix it up.
Posted by: amandaj at June 13, 2008 05:08 PMBah Humbug. I looked at their picture and it looks as though they started the neck a bit higher up thann they wrote. Good jumper for quick changes though!!! Gretel is gorgeous and Fetchings are a classic, I think, though I always make mine longer!!
Posted by: 2paw at June 13, 2008 05:49 PMDon't you hate it when good knitting turns bad! Loving your Gretel though. I've got my eye on this one too, although we don't get much beret weather over here. I'll have to go somewhere cold!
Posted by: Charmaine at June 13, 2008 09:04 PMGorgeous beret and fetching mitts. I can't wait to see what you do. There were a lot of great suggestions.
Posted by: Madame Purl at June 14, 2008 12:31 PMOh what a shame about the sweater, what about a pin near the bottom of the V?
I love gretel, I'm going to have to knit myself on of those. and Fetchings...wonderful aren't they? I love the yarn you're using.
Posted by: angie at June 14, 2008 04:57 PM
You're right. The neckline on the model doesn't dip down as low. Seaming should help. I hope you can fix it to your liking.
Love the beret and Fetching.
Posted by: Wool Winder at June 12, 2008 12:42 AM