January 13, 2005
two servings of seaming and a side o' pinning
chrissie seaming in progress
flo seaming in progress
I used to think that when you knit the sweater pieces that you are pretty much more than half done. Now I feel that in most cases when you are knitting a sweater, once the knitting is complete, you are at best only halfway especially if there are any elements that step outta the realm of the basic St. st pullover. I can only imagine that the percentage decreases for those whose pattern choices move into the realm of "piquant" or "extraspicy" as Knitty would describe them. And even though these patterns don't fall into either of those categories, my current sweaters in waiting have new elements (for me) that I plan to address carefully in the finishing process. I picked these two patterns out with my knitting aspiration list in mind (i guess i should really post it and stop looking at this tiny piece of paper all the time). Anyway, I have tried to make a conscious decision to knit more cardigans and to try to include elements like pockets and belts that I previously viewed as things that are purely decorative that I would probably either lose (belt) or never really use (pocket). Well now that I have all of the pullovers I need
at the moment, I've decided it to get to it. I had the impression that these items are too fussy and am surprised at how simple they really are. These patterns are pretty basic but I have a few items in the finishing department that are holding me up.
Not a whole lot but a lot of little…
Chrissie
belt is too short - okay just unbind, knit and cast off
unfinished pockets– just need to be sewn in and ribbing added to the pocket top
Flo
wrong needle size used to pick up neck – ok just rip and reknit, right? (so much easier to say than do)
While knitting the collar I thought the seed stitch looked very similar in gauge to the button band (it was supposed to be knit using a needle one size down). I was so sure that I picked the US 2's. I just got this to help insure that this doesn't happen. Guess next time I gotta make sure I put them in the right needle pocket, lol. My addi mm size didn't match the numbers on the holder and I should mark that pair I guess. I used my needle sizer to determine the size and I am starting to notice variances in the smaller sizes. Now, I don’t mind ripping, but I don’t like to do it when addressing a gut feeling could have remedied the situation early on. But of course, I kept on knitting thinking what’s a needle size when they are so small already. Really, what the difference between a US 2 and 3? (tsk, tsk, you can really talk yourself into nonsense when you want to) But then I thought that the possibility of the increased needle size coupled with the 2 additional stitches per piece (edge stitches on the frn/bck/slves) may really impact this collar. I don’t have a lot experience with necks outside of turtlenecks or other basics (actually none of my sweaters have collars now that i think of it though i think mini has one). So with all of that in mind I decided to cast off mid way through the collar and try it on already knowing it would not work, yet still in denial.
So it looks okay, but when you put on it seems a little high considering that there are several more rows that include putting an additional button hole and the cast off edge which would mean the neckline will be too high, ugh. When will I learn to stop especially when I see it coming so clearly?
And then we have Audrey. Not much done here, but Eilene inspired me to take another look at her by accidentally (on purpose, hee hee) referring to Chrissie as Audrey. Thanks Eilene, I really did need that. So I decided to just pin it and maybe start seaming the lace (i know i need about 1000 more pins) But I thought 6 would mark the crucial points that I want to line up first though she could use one more repeat. Audrey is moving a bit closer to our galaxy as we speak as I now have a plan.
*big thanks for all the sock support. can't wait 'til my next pair*
Posted by froggy at January 13, 2005 10:00 PM
I've actually avoided sweaters because i hate seaming so much! Do you know of any good books for tips on finishing/seaming sweaters? Your joins are so neat looking...I think by the time I finish the knitting I am so ready to see the final product that I just get sloppy! I wish there were seaming classes :) Your Audrey is so pretty!
Yay! The Return of Audrey. Everything else is looking great too:)
That's my girl...it's great to see Audrey again after such a long absence. I have to say...she is going to be one HOT Mama! What a beautiful color blue. I love it and can't wait to see her all seamed together on a headless model none the less! :-)
Ooh, Froggy, great post. Thanks for all the great pics. You take really nice ones. You'll get all the seaming done, I really agree it's worth it to take your time for the FO to look right.
Love the Audrey. I was just thinking that I need to wear mine again!
I love that colour blue for Audrey. I keep my fingers crossed that your cunning "plan" works!
I hear you on the seamy side of seaming. I'm thinking of knitting the bpt (knitty) just because it has no seaming!
Hi Froggy and many thanks for the messages on my blog. I'm getting crazy with socks too and I've just bought new yarn for them... well, yours are so pretty !
I love your cardis and I take the same decision to knit more. The colors I chose for Perkins are the ones preconised in the pattern, no so imaginative !
Well, Audrey is too too wonderful, and your blue is terrific. Looking forward to seeing it on you !
Chrissie, Flo, Audrey, and FROGGY! All the ladies :) They all look great, and I am a little jealous that you are so close to finishing three lovely sweaters... the color for Audrey is stunning, I can't wait to see what it will look like on you (I already know it will be great!)
Have a great weekend, and I hope you are able to make it to Folk Art Studio one day soon--it would be great to meet up sometime :)
Wow -- you gotta whole lotta seaming there! I have to suck it up and seam my Lucy sweater in the near future. Sigh.
I love the color of Audrey...blue is my favorite!
All 3 sweaters look great. Great styles!
Maybe you should add a "top down" sweater to your list....a ha ....no seaming.
You've got some yummy work goin' on there. Before you do another repeat on the Audrey collar, try it -- seems I've read many a story that people had to take it out and remove a couple. It's deceiving, I think. Just beautiful things!
Oh I know what you mean by realizing in the middle of your knitting that you have grabbed the wrong sized needle! This why I invested in one of those litlle needle guages. It's saved me from making a huge mistake on more than one occassion already. :)
When will you learn to stop when that voice in the back of your head says something is wrong? Gosh, that took me many, many years. Learn faster than I did.
:)
Hey froggy! your so close to the end on audrey! woohoo! go for it! :)
Everything looks great! I had my eye on Chrissie for a while - but then I forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me.
Holy cow you've been busy! I hear you on the seaming, though. Maybe we should have a once-a-month seaming party at KH? Seaming misery should SO have company. And wine. Lots and lots of wine. (But not too much that the seams are crooked.)
finishing 3 sweaters at once? My dear froggy you take my breath away. audrey is really looking good...you are making me peep under my bed to look at my audrey. we are estranged you know.
have a good weekend...can't wait to see them all!
Things are looking very good over here. My you're in a groove....can't wait to see them in action!
Hello Froggy! I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy reading your blog, and that you are a wonderful knitter! Also, your daughter does a great job modeling your knitting-she is adorable. I am interested in how you got your Klaralund -Along buttong for your blog...I just joined your yahoo knitalong site...my email is jkldski4@aol.com
Audrey is looking GREAT! Perfect for spring (yes, I'm hopeful). I just love the color of Flo -- very, very nice looking sweater.
Everything is looking great Froggy! I really really like Flo.... it's beautiful!
Beautiful seaming! Love the delicate look of Flo and Audrey.
My sympathies on the results of ignoring that voice in your head. I know that voice well.
what a great day to check in! You've got some great pictures of your progress, it's so fun to look at them! I really love that Flo...
Hey girlie! Welcome to my seaming world. The Peace cardi was a b*tch to finish off - knitting took one week and finishing took two months - but it is very worth it in the end. The actual finishing time wouldn't be so long without the procrastination factor! Everything looks great - you're going to have three gorgeous FO's really soon. xox
there is full with your works which finishes, the gray waistcoat as well as the blue sweater are splendid I am in a hurry to see them finit.Good continuation and good knitting. I also made a point of thanking you for your nice comments. You 're very adorable
Sounds like we're in the same place with our Audrey's (only I'm about to rip my lace off and shorten it and put it back on). Go, froggy, go!
