Friday, March 27, 2009
Hi everyone, I'm new to the Runway Knits KAL. Name is Cindy. I'm casting on today for the leaf-panel sweater. I have two issues to figure out first. One is my guage with my substitute yarn isn't quite coming out as planned, I'm getting 19 st and 28 rows to the 4". I'm not too worried about the row count as I can adapt that by knitting more rows, but I think I will do one size smaller than I want it to come out to get the right finished size. The second issue is that I can't tell from the photos, and it's not mentioned in the book, if this project should be done with negative ease, no ease, or positive ease. I'm leaning towards zero to negative ease, but the not knowing what will look and fit best is cause for concern to me. Even on Ravelry, not one person who has done the project has mentioned if the size chosen was negative ease or not, plus I don't know if my yarn will stretch out with wearing being a cotton/acrylic blend. Oh well, here we go. I don't expect that this will be a quick knit for me, as I'm also working on another sweater already.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
I'm a slow knitter, I guess
Finally. I've finished my Soldier's Sweater from "Runway Knits." I bought the yarn in August and probably started it in October. For me, it was incredibly tedious to knit. Just lots and lots of ribbing. I would get bored with it and set it aside. In the end, it came out so tiny. My local yarn store thought my test swatch was OK because it was ribbed and the wool could be blocked stretched out. I did that, but then it just scrunched back up later. So I've got this itty-bitty sweater that barely fits -- but at least I can squeeze into it.
(Boy, you don't notice that you really don't look good from the back till you take a photo like this. My butt, my hair, everything was W-E-I-R-D. Thank goodness for cropability!)
I used Cascade 220, a nice, economical wool. I bought the buttons at Village Wools. I wanted the buttons to be special, and these are really pretty.
My biggest problem was in picking up stitches to do the front band. I didn't pick up nearly enough, and I thought it wouldn't really matter. But the band was so tight that the sweater puckered up, like this:
So I had to undo it and pick up way, way more stitches. Initially I did one per row, so this time I did two per row through much of it. I can see that it still could have used some more. The pattern urges you to pick up a lot of stitches around the curve of the front/bottom, and that is why.
Original pattern:
(Boy, you don't notice that you really don't look good from the back till you take a photo like this. My butt, my hair, everything was W-E-I-R-D. Thank goodness for cropability!)
I used Cascade 220, a nice, economical wool. I bought the buttons at Village Wools. I wanted the buttons to be special, and these are really pretty.
My biggest problem was in picking up stitches to do the front band. I didn't pick up nearly enough, and I thought it wouldn't really matter. But the band was so tight that the sweater puckered up, like this:
So I had to undo it and pick up way, way more stitches. Initially I did one per row, so this time I did two per row through much of it. I can see that it still could have used some more. The pattern urges you to pick up a lot of stitches around the curve of the front/bottom, and that is why.
Original pattern:
Monday, September 8, 2008
Robyn's Soldier's Sweater
To make buying this book worthwhile, I'm taking on another project pretty quickly. I'm doing the soldier's sweater. I'm using Cascade 220 in a burgundy/brown. It's very economical. I bought it during a sale, and I only spent about $30. I'm also starting a different sweater (the Tilted Duster, not in the book), so it may take me a while to finish both.
For now, here is the yarn:
10/26 -- Last night I finally cast on and did about one-half of one front side. I realized I didn't get one of the needles I need. At least it's under way!
11/12 -- I had forgotten my password, since this blog is attached to my old email address, which my other blogs have been moved from, but it just came to me, so I'll do an update before I forget it again!
I finished one front piece and am half-done with the other. It comes out very tight, but blocking made it much better. I'm not really very motivated for this sweater, so I'm working on it here and there. I found some interesting buttons at my LYS.
For now, here is the yarn:
10/26 -- Last night I finally cast on and did about one-half of one front side. I realized I didn't get one of the needles I need. At least it's under way!
11/12 -- I had forgotten my password, since this blog is attached to my old email address, which my other blogs have been moved from, but it just came to me, so I'll do an update before I forget it again!
I finished one front piece and am half-done with the other. It comes out very tight, but blocking made it much better. I'm not really very motivated for this sweater, so I'm working on it here and there. I found some interesting buttons at my LYS.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Hey Everyone!
I just joined the Runway Knits KAL. I'm so glad I found this group, because I definitely was motivated after looking through your past posts. If I had the time, I would probably make every item from the book!
I am currently working on the Cabled Cardigan. I received the book as a Christmas gift, and I immediately got started on this sweater. Unfortunately, I only worked diligently on it for about 3 weeks. Since this sweater was for myself, it got pushed to the back of the knitting list. I am going on vacation next week, and I will be trying to work on it then. My goal is to finish it by October this year.
Here's a pic of what I've done so far...Just the back:
I substituted yarn for this. (I can't justify the price of Karabella on a project for myself.) I'm using KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Taupe.
I am also working on the Leaf Drop Sweater for my mom. So far, I have about 2.5" of the back done. So a pic isn't really worth the effort! I also sub'd yarn on this one. I'm using KnitPicks Merino style wool in Dusk. (Can you tell I love KnitPicks?) I'll post a pic as soon as I've made some real progress.
Anyway, I love everyone's work so far. Can't wait to see more!
Gwen
I am currently working on the Cabled Cardigan. I received the book as a Christmas gift, and I immediately got started on this sweater. Unfortunately, I only worked diligently on it for about 3 weeks. Since this sweater was for myself, it got pushed to the back of the knitting list. I am going on vacation next week, and I will be trying to work on it then. My goal is to finish it by October this year.
Here's a pic of what I've done so far...Just the back:
I substituted yarn for this. (I can't justify the price of Karabella on a project for myself.) I'm using KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Taupe.
I am also working on the Leaf Drop Sweater for my mom. So far, I have about 2.5" of the back done. So a pic isn't really worth the effort! I also sub'd yarn on this one. I'm using KnitPicks Merino style wool in Dusk. (Can you tell I love KnitPicks?) I'll post a pic as soon as I've made some real progress.
Anyway, I love everyone's work so far. Can't wait to see more!
Gwen
Monday, July 14, 2008
Robyn's A-Line Jacket
This is my first project from the book. I'll just update this same post as I progress.
9/5
I finally got some better pictures. It's still really hot in Albuquerque, but in my office, it's like a refrigerator. Even this wool sweater couldn't keep me warm today.
8/23
I actually finished this on Aug. 4, but I have yet to get a decent photo. My husband and I are on different schedules, so I'm often in my PJs when I see him. He took one finally, but forgot the flash, and it's blurry. I also cropped my head out because I looked awful at the time. I'll post a better one eventually.
In the end, I was pleased with my sweater. It's wearable, for sure, but there are areas on it that I don't like the looks of. As the back/shoulder area merged into the collar, it looks sort of sloppy, but it's the same on both sides at least. Also, the decreases are different on the fronts by each armhole -- one has obvious slants, the other doesn't. I'm not sure what I did wrong there. One thing I wish I'd done is follow someone else's idea of making the sleeves 3/4 length. They are meant to be a little short, but it almost looks like they are just short on accident, and not on purpose. Maybe I would have shortened them a wee bit more just so it would be clear they are supposed to be that way. I think one problem is that the yarn is so chunky, you see all the details of the stitches. The recommended yarn was more fuzzy/boucle like, I think, so it is probably more forgiving than mine.
8/3
I am nearly done. I finished sleeve 2 last night and blocked the pieces. I did my best with the blocking, never having done it before. Naturally, a project could never be finished without the help of one's cat:
Now I just have to sew in the sleeves and do the collar. Shouldn't take long once I sit down to do it.
7/20
I finished the body of the sweater! After I got past the armhole bottom and divided it up, it went really quickly. I already did one sleeve and am working on the other. After that I just have to attach the sleeves and then do the collar. It shouldn't be long!
7/14:
I started this sweater June 22. I didn't want to spend the money on the Karabella Puffy yarn recommended by the book. I think it would have cost me about $160. I went with Brown Sheep Burly Spun in a heather gray. It will still run me about $100, but there's a chance I won't need all 6 skeins and can take one back. I'm really not sure yet. It's very bulky, but not quite as much as the Puffy, I guess, because I had to go up to size 17 needles to get 2 sts/inch. I'm not the most experienced knitter, so I'm hoping I did not make some terrible mistake in figuring out this substitution and that the sweater will fit me in the end.
I could not find the 3" diameter buttons anywhere except in the Karabella brand, which were $16 each and would have to be ordered from across the country. I went with smaller, yet still quite large, buttons I found at JoAnn's for a few bucks each. I'll still be using three, and I think it will still look mod and nice.
I also had trouble finding 16" size 17 needles here in town and invested in some Addi Turbos, which weren't cheap in that size, adding to the cost of my sweater quite a bit. (Please don't let me mess this up completely! It must fit. It muuuuust fit.)
In hindsight, I wish I knitted the body of the sweater on longer size 17 circulars, but I didn't want to spend another $25 on needles, so I packed them onto a pair of straight needles, and it was hard to work with.
I also managed to make tons of silly mistakes, like deciding to try to knit when I was sick and then immediately purling a row on a knit row. I have spent a lot of time frogging, and it makes me mad because this is really a simple sweater. I have just been sloppy.
This sweater is knit from the bottom up, and all in one piece until you reach the armholes, at which time the sweater is divided into two fronts and the back. I have just reached this point, and now that I can use shorter needles and have fewer stitches on them, it's much better. I repeatedly found that I would have wrong numbers of stitches on my needles. I would frog until I had the right number and carefully proceed, only to have it happen again. It seemed when I reach the point of division, that the numbers of stitches I was supposed to have according to the instructions didn't match the number I was supposed to divide off onto holders. Somehow I made a mistake or something, but I've just tried to work with it. I ended up with too many, so I just had to do some extra decreases and hope for the best.
I also learned that it does matter if the stitches are facing the wrong way on the needles, i.e. after frogging. When I was learning, one person said it mattered, but another said it didn't. I realized many rows later that it did, at least on this particular piece it was very noticeable.
Here is about 2/3 of the torso of my sweater, along with the right sleeve. These pics aren't much to look at right now.:
closeup (something looks weird to me in this pic. I'll have to go take a closer look):
The picture of the sweater from the book:
9/5
I finally got some better pictures. It's still really hot in Albuquerque, but in my office, it's like a refrigerator. Even this wool sweater couldn't keep me warm today.
8/23
I actually finished this on Aug. 4, but I have yet to get a decent photo. My husband and I are on different schedules, so I'm often in my PJs when I see him. He took one finally, but forgot the flash, and it's blurry. I also cropped my head out because I looked awful at the time. I'll post a better one eventually.
In the end, I was pleased with my sweater. It's wearable, for sure, but there are areas on it that I don't like the looks of. As the back/shoulder area merged into the collar, it looks sort of sloppy, but it's the same on both sides at least. Also, the decreases are different on the fronts by each armhole -- one has obvious slants, the other doesn't. I'm not sure what I did wrong there. One thing I wish I'd done is follow someone else's idea of making the sleeves 3/4 length. They are meant to be a little short, but it almost looks like they are just short on accident, and not on purpose. Maybe I would have shortened them a wee bit more just so it would be clear they are supposed to be that way. I think one problem is that the yarn is so chunky, you see all the details of the stitches. The recommended yarn was more fuzzy/boucle like, I think, so it is probably more forgiving than mine.
8/3
I am nearly done. I finished sleeve 2 last night and blocked the pieces. I did my best with the blocking, never having done it before. Naturally, a project could never be finished without the help of one's cat:
Now I just have to sew in the sleeves and do the collar. Shouldn't take long once I sit down to do it.
7/20
I finished the body of the sweater! After I got past the armhole bottom and divided it up, it went really quickly. I already did one sleeve and am working on the other. After that I just have to attach the sleeves and then do the collar. It shouldn't be long!
7/14:
I started this sweater June 22. I didn't want to spend the money on the Karabella Puffy yarn recommended by the book. I think it would have cost me about $160. I went with Brown Sheep Burly Spun in a heather gray. It will still run me about $100, but there's a chance I won't need all 6 skeins and can take one back. I'm really not sure yet. It's very bulky, but not quite as much as the Puffy, I guess, because I had to go up to size 17 needles to get 2 sts/inch. I'm not the most experienced knitter, so I'm hoping I did not make some terrible mistake in figuring out this substitution and that the sweater will fit me in the end.
I could not find the 3" diameter buttons anywhere except in the Karabella brand, which were $16 each and would have to be ordered from across the country. I went with smaller, yet still quite large, buttons I found at JoAnn's for a few bucks each. I'll still be using three, and I think it will still look mod and nice.
I also had trouble finding 16" size 17 needles here in town and invested in some Addi Turbos, which weren't cheap in that size, adding to the cost of my sweater quite a bit. (Please don't let me mess this up completely! It must fit. It muuuuust fit.)
In hindsight, I wish I knitted the body of the sweater on longer size 17 circulars, but I didn't want to spend another $25 on needles, so I packed them onto a pair of straight needles, and it was hard to work with.
I also managed to make tons of silly mistakes, like deciding to try to knit when I was sick and then immediately purling a row on a knit row. I have spent a lot of time frogging, and it makes me mad because this is really a simple sweater. I have just been sloppy.
This sweater is knit from the bottom up, and all in one piece until you reach the armholes, at which time the sweater is divided into two fronts and the back. I have just reached this point, and now that I can use shorter needles and have fewer stitches on them, it's much better. I repeatedly found that I would have wrong numbers of stitches on my needles. I would frog until I had the right number and carefully proceed, only to have it happen again. It seemed when I reach the point of division, that the numbers of stitches I was supposed to have according to the instructions didn't match the number I was supposed to divide off onto holders. Somehow I made a mistake or something, but I've just tried to work with it. I ended up with too many, so I just had to do some extra decreases and hope for the best.
I also learned that it does matter if the stitches are facing the wrong way on the needles, i.e. after frogging. When I was learning, one person said it mattered, but another said it didn't. I realized many rows later that it did, at least on this particular piece it was very noticeable.
Here is about 2/3 of the torso of my sweater, along with the right sleeve. These pics aren't much to look at right now.:
closeup (something looks weird to me in this pic. I'll have to go take a closer look):
The picture of the sweater from the book:
Saturday, October 13, 2007
A-Line Jacket - all done!
My "sort of" A-Line Jacket is done! As you can see, it looks quite different from the original mainly because of the yarn sub and buttons. But I love it all the same :)
More photos and details on my blog. Happy knitting!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
(Sort of) A-Line Jacket
Hi, I'm Ann and I'm a big fan of Runway Knits. I'm making the A-Line Jacket, albeit with a bunch of mods, including subbing the yarn (Karabella Puffy) with two strands of Manos held together. I'm also adding vertical side pockets, cos a jacket isn't much use to me if I can't jam my fists into it :) And as you can see from the photo, I don't have any 3" buttons either, so I'm replacing them with the largest wooden ones I can find. This means 5 buttonholes instead of 3.
I'm actually done with with all the main pieces of knitting, and once the sleeves dry I'll start on assembly. I hope to have an FO report this weekend! More details on my blog.
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