November 3, 2009
the good, the bad, and the ugly
sprössling is done and i love it. it’s exactly what i’ve been picturing in my mind while i worked on it this last month or so. i’m happy with the fit, the color and the length (i made mine a little shorter for a lighter, summery look, but the pattern is written an inch longer).
as you can see, it is quite fitted and at the same time, feels very comfortable (it’s a handknit, so that makes sense). this is what i love about sweaters vs. jackets—you can get a very fitted look in a completely flexible structure, so that moving about, it acts like a second skin instead of a straight jacket.
the flexibility allows it to conform to all the areas of one’s torso without bunching the way a stiffer, reinforced fabric would.
i wouldn’t want every sweater to fit this way, but i love that this one does; i needed a little piece like this in my wardrobe for variety and to wear with less bulky clothes.
it maybe could have used one more button, but i’m leaving that alone for now to see how this arrangement works out over a few wearings. if it begins to pull or sag between buttons, i’ll add one more.
for now, i think it’s fine. the pattern is written to be an inch longer, so i allowed for a ninth button there.
i spent most of yesterday writing up the pattern and submitted it for tech editing last night, yay.
now tana will work her magic and ronni will work hers and the test knitters will work theirs and hopefully, we’ll have it ready to publish by the first of the year (maybe sooner, who knows?)
i have to say too, that this is a very economical project—the lanas puras melosa fingering yarn i used has a ton of yardage in one skein and sells at a great price point—my size (and a couple of other sizes) can be knit from 3 skeins or less. which means that you can knit a beautiful merino sweater in a hand-dyed art yarn for less than $50 (plus buttons; gotta be honest)—such a bargain.
and the array of colors is mind-blowing—i used fern green for mine, but i’m drooling over that dark ginger rust. or how about that american beauty?? i can totally see sprössling knit up in that; it’d be adorable (and so flattering).
ok, i’m putting a stop to the yarnsex now—my heart is starting to race.
on another note, my title implies that something, somewhere, has gone terribly wrong. it’s not that bad and you might even have seen it coming—a correction needed to be made, which i was in denial about. you remember the other day when i was worrying about my henley?
well, after showing it to anne marie on sunday, who offered a very reserved (i.e., doubtful) response to the size, then talking to tana last night, and wearing sprössling for a couple of hours yesterday, AND having knit more than half a sleeve, i realized that my fears about the cabled fabric were most likely on target—it was going to feel tighter than i really want.
though the size was similar to sprössling, the fabric is firmer and has more elasticity—it might fit, but it’d probably feel like a corset instead of the soft, slightly-loose and comfy shirt i want.
i was foolish to keep knitting in the hopes that somehow, it wouldn’t be true—DUH.
(to be fair, in conversations with david i’ve discovered that the capacity for denial extends to other artisan crafts as well—it’s not just us.)
so late last night, after i mailed the last bit of pattern off to tana, and dawdled by talking on the phone with my nephew for an hour, and running the numbers again through my software to calculate a new pattern, i rose from my chair, sucked it up, pulled the pieces off the needles, and trudged upstairs for a conference with the ball winder.
and just like the last time i had to do this, once i got started, it wasn’t so bad at all. in fact, i was soon delighted that i could undo everything in just a few minutes with the ball winder and not get any yarn tangled (this approach does not work with every yarn; it’s possible to make a real mess of it).
i’m a glass-half-full lemonade maker; what can i say?
my sweater pieces were reduced back to usable yarn in no time. reknitting that front piece is kinda hard to take, but i’m actually sorta glad about that too.
i originally went with side-seam shaping on the henley because i thought it would work best with the cabled fabric. but after working with the (easily-shaped) cable more and seeing sprössling on, i was diggin’ the offset shaping so much that i regretted not using it on the henley. half-toying with ripping it back for that reason alone, i was almost relieved to have a practical reason to do so.
a few minutes after finishing the ugly job, i was casting on for a new sleeve with more stitches while we watched guest of cindy sherman by paul h-o, co-creator of gallery beat.
all’s well that ends well, as the great man said.
Filed under: designing, projects
65 Comments
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Beautiful sweater. And you are the perfect model for it too!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Good for you to recognize the sizing issue with the henley and pulling it out rather than proceeding in the hopes that it might work out if…
Lovely sweater-it looks great on you.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
The cardi looks just beautiful on you. I love the waist shaping. Comfortable AND sexy, what a killer combination!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
So beautiful! want to cast on NOW!!!!! Thia is a great design. Will look for it….
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I love the sprossling! Can’t wait for the pattern to come out. I hope you will recommend some other yarns that are multiple ply as I’m not a big fan of singles (tho those colors are gorgeous).
Good for you for frogging the henley. I have so much trouble bringing myself to that end but I’m reaching that decision with a cardigan I’m working on.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I am really excited about the sprössling pattern. It looks amazing on you.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
That sweater looks “dang” gorgeous on you. The yellow t-shirt is just perfect with it. Love those buttons!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Ohhhhh, how I love that sweater. Now if we all had your figure…. Hee.
I’m starting a stockinette fingering weight (vintage, Shetland) cardi for my mom, and if I ever finish that, maybe I could wrap my head around a fingering-weight cardi (lace, no less — eeeeeek) for myself.
It is a good (and beautiful) goal.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
It’s BEAUTIFUL! Can’t wait til the pattern comes out — will you be putting it on Ravelry?
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I often think it’s so great that I love the knitting process so much because I often spend more time ripping back and reknitting than actually finishing something (often scrapping things altogether). Love the green sweater!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
That sweater is quite exquisite on you, and a perfect fit no less!
I am a lifetime member of that group that knits on even in the face of denial. Sigh. You just keep hoping you’re not right!! LOL!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Oh my, but didn’t that just turn out lovely? Wow!
I have watched, in anticipation, as this project has grown. The stitch pattern is so perfect for that yarn, and it made for a lovely sweater!
It looks amazing on you too! As always, another inspiring project!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
The cardi looks perfect on you. I’ll wait patiently for the pattern to come out… or I’ll try to.
I only hope it’ll come in my size (xl) and that it’ll look half as good on me
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Oh, you are brave to unravel the henley! But the yarn is so beautiful, it will be good to make it Just how you want it.
Sprossling is great on you! I’m thinking it might be a nice sweater for my daughter who is quite slender.
(btw, you inspired me to defrost and organize my stand-up freezer! I don’t have the bounty you do, but at least I can see what I do have!)
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Lemonade is a good thing. I frogged the entire yoke of February Lady because I’d inexplicably forgotten how to count. Days and days of knitting… 2 minutes on the ball-winder!
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
wow. gorgeous sweater!! it looks fantastic on you. I find frogging all that much more bearable with a ball winder! Even though it still hurts!
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
beautiful beautiful! I cannot wait to knit this
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I love sprössling. It’s going straight onto my to knit list for when it is released.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
For me, that kind of frogging is a “glass of wine half-empty” kind of task. Just sayin.
Cute little cardi. That’d be perfect for a spring release!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
sprössling is lovely. I’m looking forward to the pattern. Hopefully, I’ll even have my waist back when it comes out.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Yup. The verdict’s official. I LOVE that sweater. It’s perfect in every way. And now I need one.
I’m sorry about the henley, but it does sound like it’s going to be a better sweater for the ripping. I think the offset shaping’ll look really neat in that motif!
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:34 pm
i have been following your website throught gmail. i am so in love with the sprossling sweater that i can’ty wait to make one myself even though i am a bigger girl with a big chest so i dont know how it will look on me but i am willing to give it a shot
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
The sweater looks amazing! Is that modeled with the new undergarments lol?
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Sweater looks gorgeous on you!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:31 pm
That is a stunning cardigan, Anne, and you look amazing in it.
I shall be looking out for the pattern asap…
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:05 pm
When I grow up, I want to knit a sweater that fits that well. (I the meantime, I just refrain from finishing them so I’m none the wiser.)
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
iL est biautiful.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
The cardigan is stunning on you, Anne, what a perfect fit!
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
damn gina, you look gooood! i love the cardigan and can’t wait to buy the pattern! thanks for sharing all your lovely designs with us!
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Very flattering fit, totally lovely sweater.
Too bad about having to rip the henley, but the silver lining is you get a chance to try out your other ideas. Denial; sometimes it’s just so hard to let go.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I LOVE sprössling. It’s adorable and I must have one!
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 pm
love the sprössling… just to chime in with all the other admires above me!
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
The cardi is gorgeous! Sorry about the other tho, it does happen from time to time, it’s good that you can be positive about it – I usually end up sending my sweaters to time out when they do things like that.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:20 pm
That yellow shirt looks perfect under sprossling; and I hope that blue one works – the stitch is beautiful!!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Sprossling is absolutely lovely on you, the shaping is well done, and the buttons set it off beautifully.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
WOW! Looks like someone’s got on her new bra!!!! You look great Anne.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
The new sweater looks like it could become an instant classic. Perfect for work, but dressy, too.
And with yarn that gorgeous, even frogging must be fun.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
You look fabulous in this sweater! It’s perfect for you! Me on the other hand…I can only wish I could wear this sweater.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Anne, what a beautiful,versatile sweater. I love the shaping! But also, one can see that your biking, yoga, and good garden veggies are keeping you fit and trim. You look like a 1940s pin-up girl in the 6th photo. Lovely!
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Pretty, pretty, pretty! Nicely fit.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I’m sorry the new sweater didn’t work out, but sprossling looks fantastic!! This is definetly going to be my post baby reward. I think this is the first fitted sweater I’ve seen that didn’t gap along the button band. (you must have the magic)
November 4th, 2009 at 12:27 am
What a gorgeous, flattering sweater!
November 4th, 2009 at 12:38 am
Good grief, I knew that would be pretty, but I didn’t think it would be so beautiful! I’ll test knit it!! *evil grin*
November 4th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Oh, what a beautiful sweater!
November 4th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Cannot wait for this pattern to become available! so flattering and youthful!!! yet…. a classic that will wear from year to year….
I’m 1st on the list to order
November 4th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Goals…finish the myriad of things on my needles, get my running in as often as possible, better meal planning… all so I can a)knit that beautiful sweater and b) show it off as well as you do!
And Kudos for righting an error and finding the positive in the process.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:06 am
A trip to the frog pond is never much fun. Love everything about your sprössling, especially the shaping.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Oh my, Sprossling looks stunning on you! Just gorgeous. I’m looking forward to the release of that pattern, for sure.
My condolences on the rip back on the Henley, but it looks like you didn’t let it slow you down much.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:42 am
wow, sprossling is beautiful! not that i’m surprised, of course.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Gorgeous cardi. Thanks too for all the photos. You’re always generous about showing your designs from multiple angles. I love how you can see the way the shaping and the lace patt work at the waist and sleeves.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
It’s gorgeous Ann! I would love to volunteer my test knitting, I have no issues supplying my own yarn, if not I’ll wait til the 1st of the year to purchase the pattern. Lovely!
November 4th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Thank you for stretching into sweaters. And ripping back! I’ve modified a pattern with waist shaping at the side (cause it’s easier) even though I know I prefer it inset then I look at the piece and rationalize that the back should be the front, cause my front is flatter near the waist and my curves are on the side, so what if I inset for the back…never mind I really should frog.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
You are a genius Anne! And you look positively smoking hot in that sweater! Love the way you worked the shaping into the stitch pattern!
November 4th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Oh Anne! That sweater is so gorgeous and, well, you are gorgeous as usual! I love the shaping and the stitch work!
November 4th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Gorgeous sweater!
November 4th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I LOVE this sweater … it looks amazing on you.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Your sweater turned out simply beautiful. I hope you are so so proud of it (seems like you are)
I love how you paired it with the yellow underneath! Little bit of spring to dream about during the upcoming winter!
and I saw the close up of the buttons earlier and they are so sweet!
I never find sweaters or cardigans that FIT that perfectly!
November 4th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
gorgeous sweater! and such a lovely color. i think this one may have to go in the queue…
November 5th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Beyond stunning. Those front darts are wonderful. You did it again!
November 5th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I love the sweater! I need a lightweight cardigan, and this one looks perfect. I’ll be checking back for the pattern.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
The sweater looks stunning on you. Nice color too.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I’m not saying anything that you haven’t heard, but have to say that I love the sweater – the classic look is fabulous and, of course, it looks great on you!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Love it & it looks so good on you!
November 7th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
LOVE IT! (the green sweater) i love fitted light weight wool knits. i keep my eyes open for the pattern debut.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I can’t believe how gorgeous this is! I am about to order Lanas Puras yarn so I better get more of this green. I have to make this for myself!! Lis