I finished the Redford Sweater today. And I'm mostly happy with it. There are a few style and fit issues, though, mostly of my own creation.
When I last posted, I was in the midst of seaming together some of the pieces. I'm not entirely sure why, but I noticed a real difference between the tension in the knit and purl slipped selvedge stitches. This resulted in half the expressed seams appearing neat and tidy, and the others half looking a little, well, sloppy. I really noticed this in the seaming process itself. On one side, the bars I was trying to pick up were nigh on impossible to find. On the other, they were quite apparent. I need to look into why this is. I'm hoping it's just one of those knitting facts of life, and not some personal failing. One of the less tidy seams is shown in the photo below.
Also, I didn't attempt to match up the seaming ratios between the two sleeves. I just kind of eyeballed how to set them in. I used clips to keep everything proportional around each sleeve seam, but I didn't compare the two sides. And it shows. One of the expressed side panel seams ends about an inch higher than the other. Yikes. You may be able to see what I mean in the first photo above. I really should have checked as I set in that second sleeve. But I'm not going to redo it. The fit is fine, and I doubt anyone will notice. Except you, dear readers, now that you've read this. If you see me wearing this on the street, be kind.
More seaming notes: Unlike the sock yarn I used for the side seams, I used Loft to seam the shoulders, since these seams would be visible. It's really difficult to use this yarn for a sewn seam, since it has little tensile strength. It kept breaking, with the result that this sweater is held together with spit as much as wool. Too much information? Also, the instructions didn't explicitly state that the sleeve seams (they're knit flat) should be expressed, so I chose to seam them normally, on the inside. While the expressed seams are an interesting feature of this pattern, my lack of skill with the edge stitches made me wary.
Please don't let this post give you the idea that I'm unhappy with this pattern or it's results. It really is quite lovely. I love the color and the weight. I was comfortable in it in the shade on a dry 24C autumn afternoon. It is a bit short for my taste, but that's how the pattern is written. If you like your sweaters a bit longer, adding some rows would be an easy modification. All in all, I'm pleased with it, and can't wait for the crisper days ahead when I'll get to wear it more. And I'm glad it's finished. Now, on to other things.
I understand every critique you made, but I still think the sweater looks great. We only get better at modifications as we knit more and modify more. Just think of everything you learned (about yarn, about yourself) during this project. And it's wearable! Unlike some of my own projects I can think of...
ReplyDeleteBirdbook is a lovely color. I wish the same range of colors were available in Shelter as in Loft. More=better. I just got some Shelter in Button Jar to make a sweater!!!
The sweater looks great! You and I are just alike in this...we are way too critical of something we've made, right after it's finished. I usually have to give myself a week away from the project, before I can start appreciating it. When it's cold enough here for you to start wearing it, I'll bet you'll have forgotten all of the tiny hangups you have now. :) Really beautiful work, Steven.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love how Jared's offerings make the knitter stand on their toes for every little detail? To the casual eye that knit looks so simple but to your point, full of challenges and so, new things to recognize as making a real difference and be able to incorporate into one's knits going forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing the lessons you took away from this and expressing them so clearly so we can all benefit!
As for the sweater - fabulous - the fit is perfection. What a satisfying post to read (and re-read!)
Very nice looking sweater and looks great on!
ReplyDeleteHandsome! I think, like you, I am a little too critical of my own imperfections but it is a great sweater and thanks for sharing your work. Like Staci said, I usually have to put things away for a few days after I've finished them so that I can see them with a less critical eye.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting thought about the seams and selvedges. I know in regular mattress stitch seaming I find I have one very neat edge and another that's a bit sloppy, so perhaps the less neat selvedge stitches are on my purl rows? Will have to pay attention next time to check, and makes me a little wary of a design like this where my seams will show!