not quite right
i guess i've avoided blogging this one for long enough:
my arrowhead spring cardigan is finished. i cast off quite some time ago. it was only then that i discovered that the neckline was way too big. i love wide necklines, but if i were to button this all the way down, it would fall off both shoulders.
so i ripped out the cast on edge, knit a few rows, decreased 4 stitches on each row and bound off a little tighter than usual.
it's better, but it's still not right. i'm being a little picky because i was really disappointed with the yarn, brown sheep cotton fleece. after the first time i cast off, i soaked and rinsed it three times and the water was still dark green. i eventually gave up on rinsing, because the color just never stopped running. it even stained the towels that it was drying on. so now i'm afraid to wear it, lest i get caught in a rainstorm and stain all the other clothes i'm wearing.
lace/ button detail shot:
so i've started re-knitting it in some silky wool from the stash. this photo doesn't show much because it's from several days ago, but at least you'll see the color. it's yellow now and i'm switching to ribbing for the edges.
i had to switch it around a bit. it's hard to turn around and knit the same thing all over again. i'm just keeping it interesting.
i've been in the mood for a smaller project lately and after swatching this floral chart for a future sweater, i decided to use it to knit a hat instead, since i'm not really up for another sweater yet. i've only just started, but already i'm in love with the brown and blue tweeds together. the chart is from here. i had to cut out a few columns to make it work for the hat.
the hat is a perfect little project to carry around as i work on my goal of reading more. these are some of the books i'll be reading in july:
next up, i'm reading miranda july's no one belongs here more than you
have a great sunday!
Comments
Wow. My utmost respect for knitting the cardi all over again to make it right.
I love that chart site. I've used it too!
Posted by: jenna | July 1, 2007 09:48 PM
I used to be a reader, too. :)
I picked up Reading Lolita in Tehran a few months ago and I'm sloooowly making my way through it. I think I forgot how to read.
Posted by: a.bumblingbee | July 1, 2007 10:39 PM
I totally understand your frustration with the cotton fleece. I've had mixed results with it. However, I like the result--I think the cardie is cute and the patern is interesting. I'm curoius to see what it looks like the second time around.
and are both fantastic reads! I hope you like them!
Posted by: femiknitter | July 1, 2007 10:39 PM
I really like the change you made to the cardigan, it's much more flattering that way.
I had the same expeirence with the Cotton Fleece and was really put off by it. My hands were pink for days from ringing out the sweater I made and it stained my towel a hot pink.
Posted by: Nicole | July 2, 2007 12:03 AM
Ugh. In my case, I'd do something like sweat and give myself giant green pit stains. Ugh.
I still love the cardigan, even if it was misbehaved!
Posted by: Cirilia | July 2, 2007 01:26 AM
Sorry to hear about your problems with the cardigan - I really think it looks cute on you! I did not have that problem with my green Cotton Fleece - maybe it was a bad batch?
Enjoy the reading! it looks like you have some great books ahead!
Posted by: Lolly | July 2, 2007 10:12 AM
What a gorgeous sweater. I love that shade of green. Where did you get your talent? :)
I am glad to see you plan to read A Thousand Splendid Suns. I LOVED it; Water For Elephants was FABULOUS as well IMO.
Posted by: diane | July 2, 2007 12:13 PM
Ooh, I've been meaning to get my mitts on that Miranda July book. I can't wait to see how the cardigan turns out the second time. Enjoy your hat -- great colors. :)
Posted by: pamela wynne | July 2, 2007 04:12 PM
Well, it is a DAMN cute design and the tighter neckline looks great. I just knit my step-dtr a top in kelly green cotton fleece and we have yet to block it - I am skeered!
Posted by: Aura | July 2, 2007 05:20 PM
hah. i totally agree with cirilia...that would be me all sweaty and green. before this summer i did not hear anything about cotton fleece running, but recently there has been a lot of talk of it. hm. maybe their fixing was wonky on the last batch...bummer.
the new neckline is totally cute and the fit (of course!) is perfect. we have silky wool at the store and i am dreaming of using it...i hope #2 is perfection!
Posted by: kate | July 2, 2007 08:35 PM
So sorry about the misbehaving sweater! It is lovely though...
Posted by: Cynical Knitting Gal | July 2, 2007 10:19 PM
Chiming in to agree with the others that the green cardi turned out so cute after a bit of modification. I'll be watching to see what you think of it done in Silky Wool; I have a bunch of SW and am not quite sure what I want to do with it.
Your book selection is fantastic... good choices!
Posted by: Karma | July 2, 2007 11:26 PM
i liked the neckline on the arrowhead spring cardigan, but i'm all for that off the shoulder look. i had mixed feelings about the elephant book. how did you like it once you finished it?
Posted by: rebecca | July 3, 2007 11:35 AM
For me it is the stretchiness of Cotton Fleece that drives me bonkers!
Posted by: Bonnie | July 3, 2007 04:56 PM
I love your book list. You should read "Interpreter of Maladies" or "Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri and (if you ever need some non-fiction love) "Partly Cloudy Patriot" by Sarah Vowell
Posted by: Emily B | July 4, 2007 03:25 PM
oh, how frustrating about the cardigan! i think it's great, so please don't give up on the concept!
Posted by: carrie m | July 4, 2007 07:59 PM
That sucks about the cardi. The stitch pattern is really cute. Maybe a soak in some vinegar will help?
Posted by: Christie | July 5, 2007 08:23 PM
The cardigan is beautiful! I'm not sure just what it is that you still don't like about it. Great job!
Maybe you should contact the yarn company about the running color? Then maybe search the web for something to fix the color or better yet ask them for a solution. It's such a drag to put so much effort into something beautiful and not be able enjoy it fully. I always seem to be wearing new underwear when I get caught in the rain with my red linen blouse!
Posted by: Dolly | July 6, 2007 09:43 PM
What a shame about the yarn, as the colour (and cardigan) is great.
Posted by: Sharon | July 16, 2007 12:28 PM