Here’s my current knitting location . . . I have completed the body of my sweater, pre-ribbing.
Kind of.
Maybe.
To clarify . . . I have knit the body to the measurements specified in the pattern, before adding the ribbing. Which is the next step in my instructions. I’ve decided to take a more . . . scenic route, though. So I stuck the body stitches on a piece of yarn instead . . . on hold for now. I’ll knit the sleeves – and then I’ll block the sweater – before I decide if the length is good for me or not.
Once I’m happy with the length (which might mean knitting a few more pattern rows – or maybe pulling some of those rows back) . . . THEN I’ll knit the ribbing. (In fact, I’ll also hold off on knitting the ribbing on the sleeves until I block the sweater.)
If knitting instructions came with GPS, mine would be screaming “recalculating” right about now.
It’s hard to be patient . . . playing this cat-and-mouse game and “waiting” to see if I’m happy with the length/fit. I mean . . . let’s just get this puppy done and off the needles! But . . . isn’t that actually the beauty of knitting your own sweater? So you can fit-check as you go and make sure everything is Just Right?
In days-gone-by, I used to just knit away, following the instructions to the inch and being “done” when the pattern told me I was done. And then, a little too often actually, I’d end up unhappy with my finished sweater. The sleeves might be way too long (or maybe too short). Or I’d wish the sweater were just a bit longer (or maybe just a bit shorter). Fixable issues, sure. But so disheartening to do AFTER the fact. And something I am never keen to do. Not once that ribbing is knit. Not once I’ve bound off my “finished” project and “moved on” emotionally . . . and everything.
So over the years, I’ve . . . evolved . . . into one of those knitters who “tries on” a lot. One that blocks-along-the-way. One who waits-to-see. After all, I’m knitting a sweater . . . because I want to wear the sweater! And that takes time. And a lot of fit-checks. And sometimes it means slowing down and taking the scenic routes more often.
Today, I’m off to Sleeve Island.
I hear it’s very scenic . . .
(I’ll send postcards!)
I’m currently knitting my second Ranunculus and I’m also taking the scenic route. I’ll be visiting Sleeve Island later today. It’s so worth it to make one of your own favorite sweaters!
I am with you on trying on a LOT! And putting hems on hold while I knit sleeves, that has become a pretty standard method for me too. I am also willing to unravel and let something go if it isn’t working. I don’t need more things that don’t make my heart sing when I wear them.
I think your “take the scenic route” philosophy is a good one, especially when you’re knitting a sweater that you hope you’ll love! I knit a sweater two years ago and while I did a gauge swatch, I also sent up prayers to the knitting gods that it would fit when I was done. It seems like so much is up to luck and the knitting gods that it makes complete sense to try on as much as possible. Have a lovely time on Sleeve Island!
So much wisdom in this approach!
Love the metaphor! and the WIP! that purple looks so pretty with your fall garden.
This is a lesson I wish were taught to more new(er) knitters — when you make a garment, even if you’re using someone else’s pattern, *you* get to decide how it fits. And length is one of those dimensions of fit that’s among the easiest to adjust, in most cases. I’ve never understood the people who will only do what the pattern tells them, even down to the yarn they use. So I am fully behind your plan!
I really like the way you framed this. A more Scenic Route!
I thoroughly enjoyed a “Central Park Hoodie” knit along with Norma from Now Norma Knits (a defunct blog) during the pandemic. I made several alterations to the pockets, substituted cables I preferred, and adjusted the fit. I loved EVERY minute of making it and it’s fine. But that’s the problem, it’s just fine. It’s in the to-be-frogged pile. As I tell my little seven year old grand, “It’s okay, we love to knit. Now we get to use the yarn and knit again!” It will probably become another Affiknity Sweater. I made two a for my sons for Christmas a couple of years ago (photos at midjmcb on Ravelry) and I think my husband could use one.
Thanks for another viewpoint along the way!
I’m totally with you on this method of knitting a sweater. It took a lot of failed attempts before I perfected my own personal process. I knit a swatch, not to try to match recommended gauge, but to create a fabric I like. Then I do the math with my gauge to determine the size to knit, then try on repeatedly. My sleeve decreases are based on my gauge times the circumference I need to accommodate my elderly arms. Now I can actually wear the sweaters I knit!
What a wise knitter. I think the scenic route is so smart and it applies to more than sweaters. I recently (a la your words to me once!) through the beginnings of a shawl, needles and all, into some water and blocked it to check on the size. The circumference of the sweater body body looks like a great fit. I bet it’s going to be a great sweater.