Hope for the Best, But Plan for the Worst
I don't think I've ever knit a sweater so quickly. I just have the sleeves and the neck finishing to do. Here's a side view ...I love this sweater -- the deep v-neck is flattering, the lace panel hits in just the right place, the hip shaping is perfect. The only problem is that it's just a bit bigger than I would prefer. Furthermore, I think it may grow once it has been washed. Can any of you confirm this, my darkest fear, about Silky Wool?
Other questions: Is there anything I can do to make it a bit smaller after it is finished? Blocking tricks? Controlled shrinking? Magic spells?
I implore you, do not suggest that I rip and knit a smaller size. I can always wear a blouse under it. Also, if I had to knit the top portion again, before it is joined in the round, I think I might weep with frustration. The endless purling. It gets to me.
posted by Laura at 9:46 AM
40 Comments:
i just saw that pattern last week, and I loved it! You did a fantastic job.. unfortunately I don't know any blocking tips, but it doesn't seem all that big from the picture- it looks great!
It really looks fabulous on you, Laura--so happy to see more of you on your blog! I don't know anything about working with silk or silk blends, so can offer no advice. It doesn't look too big, if that's any consolation.
I don't think it looks too big on you. If worse comes to worse, your idea of wearing a blouse under it will help.
Very flattering! I only know how to block things bigger (whether I want them bigger or not).
Before you try anything drastic, how about knitting up a little swatch or two with leftover Silky Wool (hopefully you have some) and then experiment trying to make it shrink? You could try to hand felt it a bit, or see how it reacts to a short cycle in the dryer.
I'm knitting Eris in silky wool but I haven't washed it so unfortunately I can't help you with that question :o( I do know that if you make something longer when blocking it gets narrower so if you block it a bit longer it might take out the 'wideness' that you don't like...?
That's it! I'm getting this pattern. It looks great! And some Silky Wool. I am a follower! Have a great weekend.
By the way, new yarn store opening next month in Willoughby--acquaintance of mine bought it! Maybe we can get the "west siders" together with the "east siders"! :)
It looks great, and you've inspired me. I just bought the pattern and I may use it to knit my first adult sized sweater.
I have washed a Silky Wool poncho (this will be frogged and re-knit into something else, believe me!) and the yarn pretty much stayed the same. I think it looks fab. Just right for Colin.
Oh, your SKB looks really really lovely! I'm encouraged to make this sweater. After seeing a few pictures of completed SKBs on SKC, I wasn't confident about the sweater but yours and Jeanie's have changed my mind. I haven't started mine yet; it's slated for October barring any unforeseen knitting emergencies ;). What size did you make? I'm planning to use some anny blatt merino wool, similar to karabella aurora 8 and got gauge. I'm a loose knitter and on the petite side.
Wow -- it looks wonderful! I'm making myself finish my other sweaters before starting this one.
I haven't worn a garment from Silky Wool, but with the silk content it would surprise me if it grows. I have a cotton cardigan like that, I have to wet or wash it as toss it in a cool dryer until almost dry to "shrink" it back to my size ever few wears. Perhaps some seaming to take in at the sides?
Man, that red is such a yummy color! I need to stash some of that.
The sweater looks terrific on you! You may want to go the blouse-under route? Because it really does look great.
As others have suggested, putting it (or, perhaps more prudently, a swatch) in the dryer when it is ALMOST dry (so block it until it is just still damp) is what I would do. I have had success with that method in the past.
It looks wonderful! Great pattern.
It's beautiful (and a great color!)... I have no idea about shrinking it. I'm still new to blocking (reinforcing my belief that i'm the laziest knitter in the world!) It looks great on you as-is (and it might be nice to have the ease so you can layer it, esp. now that we're heading into winter).
it looks amazing! perfect! love the color on ya too :)
It looks beautiful on you! Great color too!
Yeah, Jenna and Rachel's ideas sound really good if you find that you need it a little smaller, but unless it really does get bigger with washing or wearing, I wouldn't bother! It looks fantastic, and I think would look even more so with, say, a silk button-down blouse underneath?
And you know what I think about the color. :-)
I'm noticing a consensus on the blogs and the SKC that both this pattern and Sizzle seem to be coming out a little bigger than expected. Maybe it's partly because the yarns people are using are so drapey? I've just been calculating how to adjust for the stash yarn I want to use, with which I get (if memory serves) 22 sts/4" instead of 20. I was going to make a size bigger (I want to use the same yarn for both patterns, but in different colors), but now I'm thinking I might just make the size I would normally make if I were knitting to gauge...what do you think? Too risky?
I think the sweater seems to fit just fine. I do agree with the idea of shrinking a test swatch in the dryer - just until slightly damp, though; not until it's completely dry - to see what happens.
Quick comment to Kate A: Instead of changing the size of the garment you plan on knitting, adjust the needle size until you are knitting in gauge.
It looks beautiful! The colour is perfect for you. :-)
oooh nice colour! if you really want it smaller - try eating your way into a tighter fit ;-)
I have no advice... but I adore the color!
That's a stunning sweater! I guess I agree with Jenna et al. who say swatch up a bit and see if controlled shrinking works.
If it seems possible, maybe you could just wet/dampen the specific areas that need shrinking? I, however, am of the mind that it looks perfect on you so far!
Love the color. (I just typed love the Colin. hmmmm.) Colin won't be able to resist!
Wow! It looks fabulous on you. I am just about to cast on for the SKB this weekend. I splurged and got the Tilli Tomas yarn in a very similar color as your Silky Wool. I'm glad, what a pretty color!
Wow, it's so pretty! And I'd agree that it doesn't look too big, but people said that about my Kepler and it was gargantuan (pictures can lie), so I'll just sympathize. I think the seaming idea was good, as was the dryer trick. Beautiful work--can't wait to see it with sleeves! :)
I think it looks great, but if you're really not happy, you could always sew some seams up the sides to take it in a little . . . no extra knitting required!
Wow, that is gorgeous! Why haven't I seen this pattern before?!?!
How did you get gauge in this pattern? did you alter it at all?? I'm sooo curious!
Rip out and knit a smaller size? It would be easier, in my opinion, to just put on 10 or 15 pounds.
Looks great.
sorry i have no tips for you laura, but i do think it looks absolutely lovely on you. hope it works out. :0) x
it really looks beautiful! it doesn't look too big at all. so pretty!
I love that sweater. Okay, that's it, I'm buying the pattern!! I can resist no longer. It sounds like you've gotten a few good suggestions on trying to make it smaller. I hope they work out.
That is just gorgeous! And so is that picture of you, skinny minnie! I think Jenna's idea is brilliant.
You could always take a sewing maching and make side seams to pull it in on the sides. . .
Good lord, Laura! You look beautiful, and I cannot believe how quickly you finished it. I don't think it's too big -- it skims nicely and allows you to have another piece of chocolate without worry. I think I have to make that sweater now.
Wow! Nice job! I hope blocking works well for you.
That pictures makes you look like Meridith from Grey's Anatomy. :)
Laura, where did you get this pattern from? Looks amazing on you. At first I thought it was a picture of a much younger Sharon Stone when I opened your post. Has anyone ever told you that you look like her before, because I'm wondering if it's just the angle. I mean that in the nicest possible way, not the non-underwear wearing, Ho kind of way. xxx
Wow... it looks amazing! and I have no idea how to change the fit once it's knit but I think it'd look fine with a blouse!
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